Sanford Bishop: “Setting aside whether this amendment is misplaced in the Agriculture appropriations bill, this amendment is simply bad…”

“Setting aside whether this amendment is misplaced in the Agriculture appropriations bill, this amendment is simply bad policy. We are still fighting the lingering effects of a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic and attempts to cut funding for the World Health Organization would hamper work to monitor any new variants of COVID-19. Moreover, the World Health Organization's work extends far beyond just responding to COVID. Cutting funds for the World Health Organization will affect efforts on other diseases and illnesses, including polio or the flu. Efforts to disengage with the WHO through our bill are misguided and do nothing to address any concerns about accountability, transparency, or cost efficiency. This is not a good amendment. I urge its defeat, and I reserve the balance of my time.”