Bill introduced to pull the U.S. out of the United Nations introduced, but may not pass
A bill proposing that the U.S. leaves the United Nations has caused some panicked reactions on social media.
But it isn't the first time we've seen a bill like this, and isn't connected to the new Donald Trump administration.
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The United States leaving the @UN would be reckless, stupid, and dangerous. It can't be allowed to happen. https://t.co/OgsSzzsVVb
— Jamil Smith (@JamilSmith) January 22, 2017
Here’s a bill to pull us out of the UN. Time to speed up the impeachment. https://t.co/nQhJvMhgCG
— Mike Monteiro🌹 (@monteiro) January 22, 2017
#TheResistance#Indivisible#UN#UnitedNations
Congress is attempting to pass a bill to terminate US membership in the United Nations. pic.twitter.com/xJ3PK8JU94— ♀️ ᵀᴴᴱ A҉N҉T҉I҉-T҉R҉U҉M҉P҉ (@Im_TheAntiTrump) January 22, 2017
The "American Sovereignty Restoration Act of 2017", sponsored by Rep. Mike Rogers (R-AL), is indeed about ending U.S. membership, participation and funding in the UN:
This bill repeals the United Nations Participation Act of 1945 and other specified related laws.
The bill requires: (1) the President to terminate U.S. membership in the United Nations (U.N.), including any organ, specialized agency, commission, or other formally affiliated body; and (2) closure of the U.S. Mission to the United Nations.The bill prohibits: (1) the authorization of funds for the U.S. assessed or voluntary contribution to the U.N., (2) the authorization of funds for any U.S. contribution to any U.N. military or peacekeeping operation, (3) the expenditure of funds to support the participation of U.S. Armed Forces as part of any U.N. military or peacekeeping operation, (4) U.S. Armed Forces from serving under U.N. command, and (5) diplomatic immunity for U.N. officers or employees.
But this bill was introduced Jan. 3, before Trump's inauguration on Jan. 20.
My first act of the new congress was to reintroduce my bill to end US involvement in the UN. Read more: https://t.co/GctALmWOFA#AL03
— Mike Rogers (@RepMikeRogersAL) January 3, 2017
It's also not the first time Congress has seen a bill like this.
An identical "American Sovereignty Restoration Act" has been put before the House of Representatives at the beginning of each Congress for the last twenty years since 1997.
About that American Sovereignty Restoration Act bill: He's introduced that bill every year since 1997. It's gone nowhere.#themoreyouknow
— 🍁🦇 Alisha "Scary Name Here" Grauso 🎃👻 (@AlishaGrauso) January 22, 2017
Politicians from Ron Paul — who sponsored the bill from 1997 to 2011 — to Paul Broun and Rogers himself, who sponsored the law in 2013 and 2015, all sought U.S. withdrawal from the global organisation, as reported by Snopes.
In all those occasions, the bill was referred to the Committee and there it remained. It was never brought to a vote.
It's true that Trump has, in the past, been very critical of the UN over its stance on Israel.
Trump was furious when the U.S. abstained from a vote condemning the Israeli construction of settlements, which led to a resolution being approved for the first time in over 35 years.
We cannot continue to let Israel be treated with such total disdain and disrespect. They used to have a great friend in the U.S., but.......
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 28, 2016
not anymore. The beginning of the end was the horrible Iran deal, and now this (U.N.)! Stay strong Israel, January 20th is fast approaching!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 28, 2016
He's also called the UN a "club" for people to have a good time.
The United Nations has such great potential but right now it is just a club for people to get together, talk and have a good time. So sad!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 26, 2016
But there have been calls for him to withdraw the U.S. from the UN.