Staff Reports
Republican senators, including Sen. Ron Johnson, expressed concerns about recent proposals that could potentially give the World Health Organization (WHO) more power and threaten U.S. sovereignty. They sent a letter to President Joe Biden, urging him to reject international agreements that would expand the WHO’s authority in handling pandemics.
Sen. Johnson: Recent proposals could give World Health Org. more power, threaten US sovereignty https://t.co/GUFqZBwEwc
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Sen. Johnson warned that the WHO’s actions during the pandemic, specifically their relationship with China, raise doubts about their trustworthiness. He noted that the organization failed to hold China accountable for providing timely information about the origins of the virus, raising concerns about their ability to effectively manage future global health crises.
The WHO has been working on establishing a unified policy to better respond to future pandemics swiftly. However, some aspects of the proposed agreement, such as the “pathogen access and benefits system,” have sparked controversy. This system aims to ensure fair distribution of resources like vaccines and drugs among countries in the event of another pandemic.
Republican senators emphasized the need to protect U.S. sovereignty and constitutional processes, arguing that joining such agreements would require Senate approval. They raised concerns about potential wealth redistribution and questioned the motives behind expanding the WHO’s power, suggesting it could be a move to diminish American influence on the global stage.
Critics of the proposed agreements, like former Rep. Michelle Bachman, celebrated the delay in finalizing the pandemic treaty negotiations, seeing it as a victory for those advocating for freedom. They view any attempts to enhance international organizations’ authority as a threat to individual liberties and national autonomy.
