US Finalizes WHO Withdrawal – What If the US Wants to Rejoin?
Here’s a breakdown of the details from the text regarding whether a new president would need too consult Congress to rejoin the WHO, and related points:
Would a new president need to consult Congress?
The text implies a new president might not be obliged to consult Congress, but it’s a nuanced situation. The interview focuses on the process of rejoining, not whether consultation is legally required.The process described is simply sending a letter to the UN Secretary-General.
Though, there’s a legal issue regarding withdrawal:
* Existing Law: When the US initially joined the WHO in 1948, Congress passed a law stating that withdrawal was only permissible after all financial obligations were met.
* Trump’s Violation: president Trump withdrew and did not pay the outstanding dues ($280 million currently), thus violating this law.
* Congressional Inaction: Despite the violation, Congress did not challenge Trump’s actions.
WHO’s Position:
* WHO would likely welcome the US back, valuing both the funding and the scientific expertise of agencies like the CDC and NIH.
* WHO would likely require the US to pay its outstanding financial obligations before re-accepting membership.
In summary: While the text doesn’t directly state a president must consult Congress to rejoin, it highlights a past Congressional law regarding withdrawal that was disregarded. The focus is on the executive branch’s ability to rejoin via a letter to the UN,and WHO’s financial expectations.