Congress cuts all U.S. funding to WHO, eliminating pandemic early-warning system
H.R. 401 — No Taxpayer Funding for the World Health Organization Act · Filed by Chip Roy (R-TX) · 17 cosponsors · Introduced Jan 14, 2025 · Referred to committee
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What it does
This bill prohibits the U.S. government from sending any money—whether assessed contributions (mandatory dues) or voluntary contributions—to the World Health Organization (WHO). It takes effect immediately upon passage. The primary effect is to cut off all U.S. funding to WHO, which currently receives roughly $450 million annually from the U.S. in assessed and voluntary contributions.
Why we flagged it
The bill's sole operative mechanism is a blanket prohibition on U.S. contributions to a specific international organization. It is a defunding measure, not a reform or conditional-funding bill.
What the text implies
- Eliminates U.S. seat at WHO governance table, reducing American influence over global health policy and disease surveillance standards that affect U.S. interests.
- Removes U.S. funding from WHO polio eradication program, potentially allowing resurgence of a disease eliminated in the U.S. but endemic in parts of Africa and Asia.
The full analysis lists 4 implications of this text.
Who it affects
Ordinary Americans depend on WHO's disease surveillance, pandemic early-warning systems, and coordination of global health responses that protect U.S. public health.