Senator Greg Hembree, a North Myrtle Beach, SC state senator, is concerned about WHO’s cozy ties to China and mismanagement of the Coronavirus pandemic.
On behalf of all South Carolinians, the North Myrtle Beach Republican is the sole sponsor of S. 868, a symbolic resolution asking Congress to split from the United Nations agency.
Despite this, the WHO mismanaged its response to the Coronavirus pandemic and has continued to rely on China alarmingly, says the resolution proposed by Senator Greg Hembree.
We reject any assertion of authority over our nation or citizens by foreign individuals or organizations, such as the WHO.
The resolution’s request by Senator Greg Hembree was approved 3-2 along party lines by the Senate Medical Affairs Committee. No expert witnesses signed up to testify, prompting one member to ask for the resolution to be put on hold until an expert witness is called.
“I believe in institutions that are designed to combat certain ills in the world, and I believe that when the world comes together to address problems, that’s what we’re called upon to do,” said state senator Ronnie Sabb, D-Greeleyville. “I’d like to hear about withdrawals from institutions that have impacted the world.“
Joe Biden, on his first day as president, halted Donald Trump’s plan to withdraw from the WHO in July 2020.
“It is crucial that the WHO plays a key role in the fight against the deadly COVID-19 pandemic as well as countless other health threats worldwide. The United States will continue to be a full participant and a global leader in confronting such threats and advancing global health and health security,” Biden wrote to U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres in July 2021.
At the moment, the U.S. covers about 24 percent of the WHO’s budget, or $119 million.
In January 2023, the U.S. House approved a resolution backing Trump’s decision. It has since picked up 53 GOP cosponsors, including U.S. Rep. Russell Fry.