Submitted by United States Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana
WASHINGTON (May 2, 2024) – Senator John Kennedy (R-La.) joined Senator Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) and all other Republican senators in demanding that President Joe Biden withdraw his administration’s support for two international agreements being considered at this month’s World Health Assembly (WHA).
The agreements would give more power to the World Health Organization (WHO) and weaken United States sovereignty.
“Some of the over 300 proposals for amendments made by member states would substantially increase the WHO’s health emergency powers and constitute intolerable infringements upon U.S. sovereignty. As such, it was essential that the WHO abide by the four-month notice period to allow member states time to ensure that no traces of such proposals were included in a final amendment package for consideration by the WHA. Having failed to do so, amendments are not in order,” the senators wrote.
“Instead of addressing the WHO’s well-documented shortcomings, the treaty focuses on mandated resource and technology transfers, shredding intellectual property rights, infringing free speech, and supercharging the WHO. Moving forward with a new pandemic preparedness and response treaty ignores the fact that we are still unsure of COVID-19’s origins because Beijing continues to block a legitimate independent investigation. We strongly urge you not to join any pandemic related treaty, convention, or agreement being considered at the Seventy-seventh WHA,” they continued.
“In light of the high stakes for our country and our constitutional duty, we call upon you to (1) withdraw your administration’s support for the current IHR amendments and pandemic treaty negotiations, (2) shift your administration’s focus to comprehensive WHO reforms that address its persistent failures without expanding its authority, and (3) should you ignore these calls, submit any pandemic related agreement to the Senate for its advice and consent,” the senators concluded.
The full letter is available here.
