East Idaho Times

U.S. Senator Mike Crapo of Idaho has joined forces with Senator John Barrasso from Wyoming to introduce a new legislative measure aimed at restricting the World Health Organization's (WHO) use of American tax dollars for pandemic-related treaties. The proposed legislation, known as the Defending American Sovereignty in Global Pandemics Act, seeks to ensure that any U.S. agreements with the WHO concerning pandemic prevention or response receive Senate approval before being enacted.

Senator Crapo emphasized the importance of maintaining American sovereignty and individual freedoms, stating, "The WHO’s poor response to the COVID-19 pandemic has left lasting negative impacts on our economy. The United States should not give up its sovereignty to global bodies without congressional approval."

Echoing these sentiments, Senator Barrasso criticized the WHO's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, saying, "We cannot allow the World Health Organization (WHO) to spend American tax dollars on another failed pandemic response. Its blatant partisanship and incompetence during COVID-19 was inexcusable."

The bill aims to prevent the U.S. from entering any international agreements under the WHO related to pandemics without Senate ratification. It also seeks to suspend funding for such agreements until they are approved by Congress.

Several other senators have co-sponsored this legislation, including Jim Risch of Idaho, Kevin Cramer of North Dakota, Roger Marshall of Kansas, Rick Scott of Florida, Ted Cruz of Texas, Pete Ricketts of Nebraska, Rand Paul of Kentucky, Steve Daines of Montana, Roger Wicker of Mississippi, John Hoeven of North Dakota, Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming, Deb Fischer of Nebraska and Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee.

The full text of the legislation is available for public viewing.