Why Congress Must Act to Halt UN Funding | The American Spectator

More Americans are waking up to a simple truth: it’s time to cut off funding for and end U.S. membership in the United Nations and its sprawling network of affiliated entities, few of which serve U.S. interests. While public frustration grows, it’s important to understand the path forward — because the president, on his own, cannot simply pull the plug.

Congress is responsible for annually appropriating U.S. contributions to the United Nations. Even the president’s ability to rescind previously allocated funding must go through a formal process that requires congressional approval. Similarly, withdrawing from the U.N. as a member state would take congressional action, such as passing the DEFUND Act (HR 1498/S 669) in both chambers. Ultimately, this places the responsibility on Senator John Thune and Representative Mike Johnson to halt U.S. funding to the United Nations.

That said, the president has powerful tools at his disposal to steer U.N. priorities in a direction that better reflects America’s values and sovereignty. Here are three key actions President Trump should take:

Set the Agenda and Shape the Narrative

Presidents don’t just influence policy at home — they help define the global narrative. At the United Nations, that begins with resolutions. Through bold, clear initiatives backed by the U.S. ambassador to the U.N., President Trump can rally like-minded allies and introduce measures that reflect America First principles while honoring the sovereignty of other nations.

One idea would be a “Sovereignty and Security for Human Dignity” initiative. Such a resolution would affirm every nation’s right to control its borders, maintain territorial integrity, and set its own immigration policies. It reframes border security, not as an inconvenience to globalism, but as a core human right: one that upholds national identity, public safety, and the will of the people.

All of this begins with the Senate’s confirmation of President Trump’s nominee for U.N. Ambassador, Mike Waltz. Since his official nomination on May 1, 2025, Waltz has cleared the Senate Foreign Relations Committee with a favorable vote and now awaits action by the full Senate. It is Senate Majority Leader John Thune who controls when the chamber debates and votes on the nomination. Once confirmed, Waltz can immediately begin advancing Trump’s agenda and championing bold resolutions at the United Nations. Unfortunately, Sen. Thune’s delay tactics are hindering President Trump’s ability to hold the United Nations to a higher and better standard.

Use Targeted Funding Cuts

The United States is the largest single contributor to the U.N. Cutting off funds entirely might feel satisfying, but a more strategic approach would involve targeted cuts and conditional support. This preserves U.S. leverage while sending a clear message: if the U.N. wants American dollars, it must respect American values.

One such example would be withdrawing funding from programs that promote or normalize abortion under the pretext of “family planning.” The Rescissions Act of 2025, signed into law in July, reclaimed nearly $1 billion in U.S. funding previously directed to the United Nations and its affiliated agencies. This included mandatory dues and voluntary contributions that had been advancing abortion, gender, and climate initiatives worldwide.

By submitting additional rescission packages, the president can continue making targeted cuts to the U.N., requiring Congress to vote on whether to approve or reject each proposed cut. This approach is practical and effective, redirecting U.S. support away from controversial agendas without forfeiting influence over global policy.

Use The Veto Power — Often

As one of five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council, the United States holds veto power over any substantive resolution. A single “no” vote from the U.S. ambassador can block harmful or anti-American measures in their tracks.

While the president doesn’t cast that vote directly, he does appoint the ambassador and guides foreign policy through the State Department. If a resolution undermines national sovereignty, religious freedom, or commonsense security policy, President Trump must ensure his representative at the U.N. knows exactly where he stands — and acts accordingly.

Moreover, the president can issue executive orders to pause or review U.S. support for specific U.N. programs, particularly those funded through voluntary contributions. This provides another powerful avenue to slow down and halt the U.N.’s more ideological initiatives.

Of course, if the goal is to fully defund and withdraw from the U.N., the president will need Congress to act. That’s where the DEFUND Act comes in. This bill, introduced in the 119th Congress, would terminate U.S. participation, halt funding, and revoke the U.N.’s privileges on U.S. soil. It’s the clearest roadmap yet for a clean and legal break with the U.N.’s anti-American, globalist agenda.

If President Trump is serious about ending the U.N.’s grip on American policy — and many conservatives believe he is — he must throw his support behind the DEFUND Act and urge Congress to take it up without delay.

The United Nations no longer serves American interests. It undermines national sovereignty, advances radical ideologies, and increasingly acts as a platform for America’s adversaries. While unilateral defunding isn’t currently in the president’s toolbox, he does have the power to reshape and redirect the United States’ involvement — and to rally Congress to finish the job.

It’s time to stop funding institutions that work against our values and start building international partnerships that respect them.

Aundrea Gomez is a policy research associate at AFA Action and an advocate for liberty.