Representing North Carolina’s Ninth District                                                                        

Myrick Votes to Reform the UN
Bill Would Withhold US Funds Unless The UN Cleans Up Their Scandals

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Representative Sue Myrick (NC-9) voted for H.R. 2745, the Henry Hyde United Nations Reform Act of 2005.  This bill would streamline and prioritize U.N. programs while providing oversight and accountability.

 “The U.N. is a mess.  In the past 10 years, we have uncovered more than 30 different UN scandals from billions of dollars lost under the Oil for Food Program to U.N. peacekeepers sexually exploiting refugees in the Republic of Congo,” said Rep. Myrick. “This bill would force the U.N. to become more disciplined and clean up their scandals.  I support this effort wholeheartedly and want the U.N. to get their act together.”

 The U.N. Reform Act would force the U.N. to comply to U.S. requests for reform in order to receive U.S. funds.  This is not an effort to “zero-out” certain U.N. programs, but is an effort to make sure tax dollars sent to the U.N. are not wasted.  Americans deserve to know their tax dollars are being spent wisely; not stolen by a bureaucrat.

 This bill requires the U.N. to reform by: mandating spending cuts in specific programs that are not working;  redirecting funds from failing programs to priority areas that are functioning properly;  withholding 50 percent of U.S. assessed dues if reforms are not made in key areas and clear accounting of how funds are being spent in those areas; and, withholding U.S. support for new peacekeeping missions until certifications are made that reforms have been enacted.

 The bill passed the House by a vote of 221-184.  The bill will now go to the Senate for consideration.

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