Grace Meng: “I rise in strong opposition to this amendment. The bill, as it stands, already cuts 83 percent of the contributions to…”

“I rise in strong opposition to this amendment. The bill, as it stands, already cuts 83 percent of the contributions to international organization accounts compared to fiscal year 2024 and excludes funding for our treaty obligations, as well as the majority of U.N. organizations that we traditionally fund. We have watched as the People's Republic of China challenges the U.S. at the U.N. and other multilateral institutions working to insert their values of authoritarianism and disrespect for human rights. By cutting all funding to the U.N. and its agencies, this bill leaves a void for our adversaries to fill. Madam Chair, let me give you one example of the devastating effect of this amendment. In 2023 the U.S. was the largest contributor to UNICEF's core resources. It is this consistent funding that has enabled UNICEF and partners to reduce under 5 childhood mortality by more than one-half since the year 2000, and more children are surviving today than ever before. {time} 1015 This support could end. The U.N. is not perfect. No large bureaucracy is. Our ability to improve its operations, make sure its stances reflect our values, and have the U.N. serve its mission for peace hinges on the U.S. being an active, participating member of that organization. I fully support the authorization of these entities, but we all know that will not happen overnight. While we work toward that goal, we cannot cut off participation and support.…”