To provide for a limitation on contributions to the United Nations.
- Sponsor
- Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5]
- Committees
- Foreign Affairs Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Oct 6, 2026
Bottom line
The bill seeks to leverage U.S. financial contributions to the United Nations to compel the UN Security Council to formally label Hamas and Lebanese Hezbollah as terrorist organizations.
What it actually does
This bill prohibits U.S. contributions to the United Nations until the President certifies to Congress that the UN Security Council has officially designated Hamas and Lebanese Hezbollah as terrorist organizations. This effectively conditions all U.S. financial support for the UN on a specific action by its Security Council regarding these two groups.
Proponents argue
Proponents argue that this bill is a necessary step to ensure the United Nations aligns with U.S. foreign policy objectives and values, particularly in combating terrorism. They contend that groups like Hamas and Lebanese Hezbollah pose significant threats to global security and that the UN's failure to designate them as terrorist organizations undermines international efforts to counter terrorism. Conditioning funding, they believe, provides crucial leverage to push for accountability and strengthen the international framework against terror.
Opponents contend
Opponents might argue that conditioning U.S. contributions to the UN on a specific Security Council action could undermine U.S. diplomatic influence, weaken the UN's overall effectiveness, and potentially harm critical humanitarian or peacekeeping operations. They may contend that such a unilateral approach could alienate allies and adversaries alike, making it harder to achieve consensus on other vital international issues, and that the U.S. should pursue diplomatic solutions rather than financial leverage.
The bill text is extremely short and straightforward, allowing for quick comprehension of its core intent.
Section 1.
Conditioning U.S. Contributions to the United Nations
This section mandates that no U.S. federal funds, whether authorized or appropriated, can be used for contributions to the United Nations. This prohibition remains in effect until the President formally certifies to Congress that the United Nations Security Council has officially designated both Hamas and Lebanese Hezbollah as terrorist organizations. This means all U.S. financial support to the UN would cease until this specific condition is met.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue that this provision directly addresses the perceived failure of the UN Security Council to take a strong stance against designated terrorist organizations, thereby aligning U.S. financial support with its national security interests and moral principles. They believe it is a necessary step to ensure accountability.
Critics contend
Critics might argue that this provision risks disrupting essential UN operations, including humanitarian aid and peacekeeping missions, and could be seen as a unilateral imposition on an international body, potentially isolating the U.S. diplomatically and undermining its ability to lead on other global issues.
Tradeoffs
The provision balances the desire to exert U.S. influence over international bodies to combat terrorism against the potential for undermining the UN's operational capacity, broader multilateral cooperation, and U.S. diplomatic standing.