Boise City Wire

U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) have joined the entire Senate Republican conference in sending a letter to President Biden urging him to withdraw support for two international agreements under consideration at the World Health Assembly. The agreements are seen as granting excessive authority to the World Health Organization (WHO) and potentially undermining United States sovereignty.

In the letter, the senators expressed concerns about the WHO's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, describing it as a failure that caused lasting harm to the country. They emphasized the need for reforms within the organization rather than expanding its powers through international treaties. Senator Risch and Senator Crapo, along with their colleagues, highlighted their unease with the proposed amendments that could infringe upon U.S. sovereignty, intellectual property rights, and freedom of speech.

The senators directly addressed President Biden, stating, "Some of the over 300 proposals for amendments made by member states would substantially increase the WHO’s health emergency powers and constitute intolerable infringements upon U.S. sovereignty." They further urged the administration to reconsider its support for these initiatives.

Should the administration proceed despite their concerns, the senators made it clear that they view any such agreement as a treaty requiring Senate approval under the Constitution. The initiative was led by Senator Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) and garnered support from a significant number of Republican senators.

The full list of signatories to the letter includes a wide range of Republican senators from various states, all expressing their reservations about the WHO agreements and calling for a change in direction from the Biden administration.

The senators' stance underscores a bipartisan concern about the potential implications of the WHO agreements and reflects a push for accountability and reform within the international health organization.