To prohibit the use of funds to propose amendments to the International Health Regulations, the Global Pandemic Treaty, or any other agreement among World Health Organization member states, and for other purposes.

Bill: 117-hr-7927
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Stewart, Chris [R-UT-2]
Introduced: 2022-05-31
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Asia

Cardiovascular and respiratory health

China

Congressional oversight

Emergency medical services and trauma care

Foreign aid and international relief

Government ethics and transparency, public corruption

Government studies and investigations

Health programs administration and funding

Infectious and parasitic diseases

International law and treaties

International organizations and cooperation

World health
Latest action: action_date: 2022-05-31
text: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Summaries:
action_date: 2022-05-31
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p>This bill prohibits the federal government from proposing any agreement among World Health Organization (WHO) member states that would modify authorities under U.S. law unless the proposal is authorized in advance by an act of Congress. </p> <p>The bill also prohibits the federal government from providing contributions to the WHO unless the Department of State certifies that certain events have occurred, including the WHO holding China accountable for any failures to comply with the International Health Regulations adopted by the 58th World Health Assembly in 2005.</p>

tv_txt: I 117th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 7927 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES May 31, 2022 Mr. Stewart introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs A BILL To prohibit the use of funds to propose amendments to the International Health Regulations, the Global Pandemic Treaty, or any other agreement among World Health Organization member states, and for other purposes.

1. Sense of Congress Congress finds that absent a United States withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO), the United States should hold the WHO accountable and overhaul its operations, including by— (1) ensuring the People’s Republic of China is held accountable for the COVID-19 pandemic and for failing to comply with the International Health Regulations; (2) ensuring the WHO conducts a thorough investigation into the role that the People’s Republic of China played in the origin and spread of COVID-19; and (3) ensuring the United States does not relinquish any authorities to the WHO that would supersede any new or existing United States authorities. 2. Prohibition on use of funds to propose amendments to the International Health Regulations, the Global Pandemic Treaty, or any other agreement among World Health Organization member states (a) In general Except as provided in subsection (b) and notwithstanding any other provision of law, no funds available to any Federal department or agency may be used to propose any amendment to the International Health Regulations, the Global Pandemic Treaty, or any other agreement among World Health Organization member states that would supersede or otherwise modify authorities under United States law, including authorities relating to required compliance or relinquishing reporting or oversight standards. (b) Exception Subsection (a) shall not apply with respect to the use of funds that is approved in advance by an Act of Congress. 3. Prohibition on use of funds to provide contributions to the World Health Organization Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no funds available to any Federal department or agency may be used to provide contributions to the World Health Organization (WHO) unless and until the Secretary of State certifies to Congress that— (1) the WHO— (A) holds the People’s Republic of China accountable for failing to comply with the International Health Regulations; and (B) makes available a report of its findings and actions under subparagraph (A); (2) the steps the WHO is taking to ensure China’s accountability, including the role China played in the origin and spread of COVID-19; and (3) the steps the WHO is taking to strengthen accountability and its ability to be impartial and objective while improving its transparency and its overall effectiveness. 4. International Health Regulations defined In this Act, the term International Health Regulations means the International Health Regulations adopted by the 58th World Health Assembly in 2005 under Resolution WHA58.3.