Some amendments to the continuing budget resolution that the U.S. House of Representatives is expected to discuss and debate on in the coming days seek to reduce U.S. financial support for the United Nations, the UN Dispatch reports.
The continuing resolution outlines guidelines for U.S. government spending beyond March 4, when the existing resolution passed in December expires.
Among the amendments on the table are a proposal by Rep. Dean Heller (R-Nev.) to reduce funding for the International Fund for Agricultural Development by USD2.6 million and slash the budget for the International Organizations account by USD44 million. The U.S. International Organizations account supports the United Nations, World Health Organization and UNESCO, among others.
A larger reduction of funding for this account, some US$100.5 million, is sought in a proposed amendment by Rep. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.). Meantime, Rep. Paul Broun (R-Ga.) is proposing an amendment that would “prohibit funds from being used to pay any dues to the United Nations,” the U.N. Dispatch says.
These amendments needs to be approved by the full House before being inserted into the continuing resolution. The resolution itself would need the approval of both the House of Representatives, which is led by the Republican party, and the Democratic-led Senate before being passed on to the president for signing.
In a memo released through the White House’s Office of Budget and Management, the administration has warned that U.S. President Barack Obama would veto the continuing resolution if it undermines U.S. national security interests.
>> Obama to Veto Spending Bill if Security Interests Compromised
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