This bill is about protecting American decision-making power when it comes to global health agreements with the World Health Organization (WHO). Right now, the President can agree to WHO pandemic plans without getting Congress involved. This bill changes that by requiring any major WHO pandemic agreement to go through the formal treaty process, which means two-thirds of the Senate has to vote and approve it—a much higher bar than normal.

The bill also includes a financial consequence: if the WHO agreement takes effect before the Senate officially ratifies it, the U.S. government stops funding the WHO during that gap period. This is meant to pressure the Senate to act quickly on ratification. In practical terms, this means Americans would have more say through their elected senators about what pandemic-related commitments the country makes internationally, rather than leaving it entirely up to the President and executive branch to negotiate on their own.

Defending American Sovereignty in Global Pandemics Act

Barrasso, John

Defending American Sovereignty in Global Pandemics ActThis bill prohibits the United States from becoming a party to a World Health Organization (WHO) agreement related to strengthening pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response except pursuant to a treaty made under Article II, Section 2, clause 2 of the U.S. Constitution (which requires that two-thirds of Senators present concur with the treaty).The bill also prohibits federal funding for WHO beginning on the effective date of such an agreement and ending on the date when the Senate ratifies the agreement.