# Plain Language Summary: No WHO Pandemic Preparedness Treaty Without Senate Approval Act

This bill requires that any new international agreement about pandemic preparedness negotiated by the World Health Organization (WHO) must be approved by the U.S. Senate before the United States can be bound by it. Right now, the President can enter into certain international agreements without Senate approval, but this bill would change that for pandemic-related treaties specifically. Essentially, it's saying that Congress—particularly the Senate—needs to have a say in any major pandemic agreements the U.S. makes with the WHO.

The practical effect is that if the WHO negotiates a new pandemic treaty or agreement, the President cannot simply sign it and make it U.S. law on their own. Instead, the agreement would have to go to the Senate, where it would need approval from two-thirds of the senators present to become binding on America. This is the same process used for most major international treaties. The bill aims to give lawmakers a formal voice in decisions about how the U.S. responds to future pandemics and what obligations we take on internationally.

This matters because pandemic agreements could potentially affect how Americans access medicines, how the government responds to disease outbreaks, or what information we share with international organizations. By requiring Senate approval, the bill ensures that these decisions go through Congress rather than being made by the executive branch alone. People who support the bill argue it protects American sovereignty and gives elected representatives a say in major health decisions. Those who oppose it worry it could slow down the U.S. response to global health emergencies by adding a lengthy approval process.

No WHO Pandemic Preparedness Treaty Without Senate Approval Act

Johnson, Ron

No WHO Pandemic Preparedness Treaty Without Senate Approval Act This bill establishes that any convention or agreement on pandemic-related issues reached by the World Health Assembly (WHA) pursuant to a specified negotiating body shall be deemed to be a treaty requiring the advice and consent of the Senate. Specifically, this bill applies to any international instrument negotiated by the intergovernmental negotiating body established by the WHA in December 2021 to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response.