Republican lawmakers have taken a significant step towards withdrawing the United States from the United Nations, a move that aligns with the "America First" policy championed by President Donald Trump according to Fox News.
The Disengaging Entirely From the United Nations Debacle Act of 2025 was introduced by Senator Mike Lee on Thursday. This proposal marks an ongoing effort by certain lawmakers to redirect American foreign policy from globalist endeavors back to more nation-centric priorities.
The bill is designed to cease U.S. membership and eliminate the financial support it provides to the U.N. The U.S. has been a significant contributor, providing over $18 billion in 2022 alone. This funding represents approximately one-third of the U.N.’s total budget, highlighting America's indispensable role in funding the organization.
Senator Lee criticized the U.N., accusing it of transforming into a platform that undermines America and its allies. Co-sponsoring the bill, Senator Marsha Blackburn has thrown her weight behind this initiative in the Senate.
Moreover, Representative Chip Roy plans to introduce a corresponding measure in the House on Friday. Roy emphasized that the U.N. often disregards American interests while supporting rival global powers.
The proposed legislation has garnered support from several Republican representatives, including Mike Rogers, Eli Crane, Diana Harshbarger, Anna Paulina Luna, Harriet Hageman, Josh Brecheen, Thomas Massie, and Marjorie Taylor Greene.
These lawmakers argue that the U.N. has long failed to fulfill its promises in terms of preventing international conflicts and protecting human rights, despite extensive financial backing from the U.S.
According to Roy, despite the significant funding and interest directed at it, the U.N. remains an institution that has not delivered satisfactory results on various fronts, from war prevention to safeguarding human rights. He underscored that no reasonable nation would continue to tolerate such inefficacies.
Recent events have intensified Republican criticism of the U.N. An investigation revealed the possible involvement of UNRWA employees in Hamas' attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
This involvement led the U.S. to halt its funding to the organization temporarily in January 2024, which has further fueled the argument against continued ties.
Moreover, Democratic lawmakers have similarly expressed apprehensions about the U.N.'s actions. In October 2024, eleven Democrats forwarded a letter to U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres, condemning the organization's perceived bias in handling the Israel-Hamas conflict. These bipartisan concerns suggest a growing unease with the U.N.'s operations and policies.
Public sentiment regarding the U.N. displays a significant partisan divide. A majority of Democrats and liberal-leaning independents, over 70%, view the U.N. favorably.
In sharp contrast, only 34% of Republicans share this positive assessment. This division underscores the political complexities surrounding U.S. participation in the U.N.
During his presidential terms, Trump actively reduced U.N. funding and withdrew from certain U.N. bodies, signaling a shift towards redefining the U.S.'s role on the global stage. This recent push for complete disengagement mirrors Trump's foreign policy vision and continues to influence Republican strategies.
If enacted, the legislation would impose strict limitations on U.S. engagement with the U.N. It would bar American participation in U.N.-affiliated peace negotiations and prevent executive agreements with the U.N. without obtaining Senate approval.
While this bill represents a significant policy shift, it still requires substantial support in both the Senate and the House to become law.
The outcome of this legislative effort will critically impact America's future involvement in international diplomacy and multilateral institutions.
