Sponsors (12)
The bill quickly restores U.S. WHO membership to regain influence and speed coordinated outbreak response—improving public health preparedness—while increasing federal spending and raising questions about oversight, deliberation, and policy flexibility.
Hospitals, patients (including those with chronic conditions), rural communities, and the broader U.S. population will benefit from faster detection and more coordinated global outbreak response by rejoining WHO, enabling quicker containment and reduced risk of domestic spread.
Federal, state, and local public health authorities and U.S. policymakers will regain influence, access to WHO expertise, data, and coordination channels, improving surveillance and the ability to shape international guidance during health emergencies.
State and local governments and taxpayers could see faster, more targeted emergency spending because the bill authorizes flexible funding and promotes coordinated multilateral responses, reducing delays and inefficiencies in mobilizing resources.
Taxpayers nationwide may face increased federal costs to cover WHO assessed contributions and expanded international response activities.
Taxpayers and the public could face limited oversight and accountability over how membership dues and voluntary contributions to WHO and UN programs are spent, raising concerns about effectiveness and waste.
Federal officials and policymakers may have constrained deliberation and reduced oversight if the bill requires rapid reentry (e.g., within 30 days), increasing the risk of rushed commitments or agreements.
Based on analysis of 4 sections of legislative text.
Directs the President to rejoin WHO within 30 days and authorizes funding for assessed dues and voluntary support to help respond to a 2026 Ebola outbreak.
Official title: Require continued participation by the United States in the World Health Organization, and for other purposes.
Introduced June 24, 2026 by Jeanne Shaheen · Last progress June 24, 2026
Requires the President, working with the Secretary of State, to carry out all actions necessary to have the United States rejoin the World Health Organization within 30 days of enactment and to immediately collaborate with WHO on the ongoing Ebola outbreak in Central and Eastern Africa. Authorizes “such sums as may be necessary” to pay assessed contributions and voluntary support for WHO and other UN entities to help prevent international spread, including to the United States. Directs rapid diplomatic steps to restore U.S. WHO membership and finances—covering assessed dues and voluntary programmatic contributions—to support surveillance, outbreak response, and prevention efforts tied to a 2026 Ebola outbreak that the bill cites as a potentially serious international threat.