Source: United States Senator for North Dakota John Hoeven
Legislation Would Ensure Any New WHO Pandemic Agreement Requires Congressional Oversight
WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven joined Senator Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) this week in introducing the “No WHO Pandemic Preparedness Treaty Without Senate Approval Act” which would require any pandemic agreement resulting from the work of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) intergovernmental negotiating body be deemed a treaty, and therefore require the advice and consent of a supermajority of the U.S. Senate. This legislation pushes back on the WHO continuing to push for a new “international treaty for pandemic preparedness and response” and would provide more transparency in WHO agreements as well as a constitutional check on the administration.
“This legislation would classify any new WHO pandemic convention or agreement as a treaty, ensuring that it is reviewed by the Senate and subject to approval of two-thirds of the Senate in order to be ratified. This will make sure that there is proper oversight of the administration’s actions at the WHO and help us maintain U.S. sovereignty,” said Hoeven.
Along with Hoeven and Johnson, the bill was introduced by Senators John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.).
Click here for the full text of the bill.
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