Trump signs spending bill including funds for UN agencies : Shared by Niloufar Pourzand

President Trump Signs Funding Bill

Click here for the Linkedin post by Ian Richards

Click here for the Better World article

"President Trump signs spending bill that restores regular budget funding for international organisations.

This could be good news for the UN and other international organisations. But what does this mean? You may recall that the White House had requested in its 2026 budget proposal to Congress that the budget line for international organisations be reduced to zero. 

The House of Representatives decided to restore those budget lines (minus contributions to the WHO) (https://lnkd.in/dYVEM3Qv). This went to the Senate and has now been accepted by the White House. 

Of course this does not mean that the US will pay its 2026 dues, or its 2024 or 2025 dues. But it does mean the money is available and fund availability is no longer the constraint. It may appear to indicate a shift in approach. 

The Better World Campaign, led by Peter Yeo has been very active on this issue and I encourage you to follow them. "

Summary of other reports - The Spending Bill Signed

On February 3, 2026, President Trump signed a bipartisan spending package (H.R. 7148, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026) that included the National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs (NSRP) bill. This ended a three-day partial government shutdown.

What the Bill Provides

The legislation allocates:

• $1.389 billion for Contributions to International Organizations (CIO) - funds US dues to the UN regular budget, UN specialized agencies, and other international organizations
• $1.23 billion for Contributions for International Peacekeeping Activities (CIPA)
• Total of approximately $50 billion for international engagement

The Context: A Major Reversal

The White House had proposed in its FY2026 budget request to:

• Slash international organization funding to just $263.8 million (an 89% cut from FY2025's $2.45 billion)
• Eliminate funding for UN regular budget and peacekeeping entirely
• Zero out the CIO account

What Congress Did

The House and Senate, through bipartisan action, rejected these cuts and restored funding:

• CIO funding of $1.389 billion represents about a 10% cut from prior levels, but is sufficient to meet most US treaty obligations
• CIPA funding maintained at nearly the same level as FY2025
• Notable exception: WHO (World Health Organization) excluded due to US withdrawal

The Critical Caveat

As Richards correctly notes: having appropriated funds does NOT mean the US will automatically pay its dues. The funding is now available, but actual payment remains a policy decision. The US currently owes the UN approximately $2.2 billion ($760 million for 2026 plus unpaid 2024-2025 arrears).

Better World Campaign's Role

Peter Yeo's Better World Campaign was indeed very active on this issue. Their statement on February 4th called it "a win for the U.S. – and a win for the UN," praising bipartisan congressional appropriators and President Trump for signing the legislation.

What This May Signal

The bill's passage suggests:

1. Bipartisan congressional support for UN engagement remains strong despite administration proposals
2. Congress successfully exercised its "power of the purse" authority
3. A potential shift from the administration's initial hardline position - though actual payment of dues remains uncertain