Sidelined at the U.N.

[questionmark]

This week the United States stands to lose its vote in an international organization because poorly written U.S. law allows foreigners to determine American foreign policy. As part of the budget process, Congress should support the Obama administration’s effort to update the legislation to enable the United States to support programs that can create jobs at home and counter violent extremists abroad. The United States should be able to fund agencies that advance tolerance, education and press freedom in communities well beyond the reach of our country.

Under two laws dating to 1990 and 1994, the United States must automatically stop providing treaty-obligated funding to a United Nations agency if Palestinians gain full membership. In 2011, a majority of member countries voted to admit the Palestinians into the U.N. Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Washington was then compelled to halt funding for an organization that can advance U.S. interests, thereby leaving space for others with very different political agendas. These laws are relics that inhibit U.S. ability to advance its interests internationally. They punish pro-U.S. United Nations agencies that have no control over Palestinians; moreover, other countries, by ostensibly being supporters of Palestinian statehood, can strategize to reduce American influence internationally.

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