Sponsors (3)
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Repeals the June 14, 1948 joint resolution (codified at 22 U.S.C. 290) that provided for U.S. membership and participation in the World Health Organization and authorized an appropriation.
Overrides the application of the privileges, exemptions, and immunities provided by the International Organizations Immunities Act so that they shall not apply to the United Nations (including its organs, specialized agencies, commissions, or other formally affiliated bodies) or to their officers, employees, families, suites, or servants; also disapplies such privileges and immunities as provided in any agreement or treaty (including the UN Headquarters Agreement and the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations).
Repeals the United Nations Participation Act of 1945 (Public Law 79–264; 22 U.S.C. 287 et seq.), removing the statutory provisions governing U.S. representation in the United Nations codified beginning at 22 U.S.C. 287.
Terminates United States membership and participation in the United Nations and its affiliated bodies, ends related U.S. agreements (including the UN Headquarters Agreement and prior authorizations for WHO membership), closes the U.S. Mission to the United Nations, bars future payments to the UN, forbids U.S. participation in UN peacekeeping, and withdraws diplomatic privileges, immunities, and use of U.S. government property by UN personnel. It also prevents the President from rejoining the UN or its parts without Senate advice and consent and requires any future ratification to preserve a U.S. right to withdraw. The law removes the legal and financial framework for U.S. engagement with the UN system, prohibits future U.S. contributions and peacekeeping participation, strips immunities and privileges traditionally enjoyed by UN representatives in the United States, and requires notification of these changes to the United Nations and its organs.
The Secretary of State must notify the United Nations and any organ, specialized agency, commission, or other formally affiliated body of the United Nations of the provisions of this Act.
Repeals the United Nations Participation Act of 1945.
Requires the President to terminate all membership by the United States in the United Nations, and in any organ, specialized agency, commission, or other formally affiliated body of the United Nations.
Closes the United States Mission to the United Nations.
States that any remaining functions of the United States Mission to the United Nations shall not be carried out.
Who is affected and how:
Department of State and U.S. diplomatic personnel: The closure of the U.S. Mission to the UN and termination of UN relationships will directly affect diplomats, staff, contractors, and support personnel who serve at or through those missions. They will require reassignment, repatriation, or termination, and contractual relationships will need to be ended or transitioned.
Federal government and U.S. taxpayers: The executive branch will incur operational costs to withdraw personnel, terminate agreements, and manage property. The law prohibits future U.S. financial contributions to UN bodies, which will change U.S. budgetary obligations and redirect or eliminate planned multilateral funding lines. It may also impose indirect costs via diplomatic fallout, impacts on international cooperation, and potential reciprocal actions against U.S. personnel abroad.
U.S. military and defense partners: The ban on participation in UN peacekeeping removes an avenue for U.S. forces to serve under UN mandates, shifts burden-sharing with allies, and may reduce U.S. influence in certain peace and stabilization operations. Defense planning and force posture decisions that had included UN activities would need adjustment.
U.S. public health and humanitarian partners: Repeal of the statutory authorization for WHO membership and termination of UN participation could disrupt U.S. engagement with global public health initiatives, international emergency response coordination, and programs run or supported through UN agencies.
International organizations and foreign missions: UN bodies and their personnel operating in or interacting with the U.S. will lose privileges, immunities, and access to U.S. property. This may lead to legal disputes, operational interruptions for UN offices, and reciprocal treatment of U.S. diplomatic personnel in other countries.
U.S. allies and partners: The U.S. departure from the UN system would affect coalition-building, multilateral diplomacy, and shared global governance efforts. Allies that rely on U.S. engagement to steer or fund multilateral initiatives may face gaps in leadership or finance.
Broader consequences and risks:
Diplomatic fallout: Withdrawal may prompt reciprocal restrictions on U.S. missions abroad, reduce U.S. influence in multilateral decision-making, and strain bilateral relationships.
Global governance and program disruption: International programs (peace operations, humanitarian coordination, health programs) that depend on U.S. participation or funding could face operational and financial shortfalls, with knock-on effects for partner countries and populations served by UN agencies.
Implementation complexity: Practical steps to withdraw—closing missions, removing personnel and equipment, settling contractual obligations, resolving immunities and legal claims—are administratively and legally complex and may involve litigation and interagency coordination.
Legal and treaty ramifications: Repeal of enabling statutes and withdrawal from the Headquarters Agreement raise questions about obligations under existing U.S. law and international agreements, and could trigger disputes over rights, property, and pending obligations.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
Introduced February 20, 2025 by Mike Lee · Last progress February 20, 2025
DEFUND Act of 2025
Expand sections to see detailed analysis
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
Introduced in Senate