Stefanik pledges an 'America First' agenda at the U.N. and a review of U.S. funding

WASHINGTON — Rep. Elise Stefanik pledged Tuesday to push President Trump’s “America First” stance if confirmed as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and roll out a review of U.S. funding critical for U.N. agencies handling health programs and more around the world.

Noting that the U.S. is the largest single contributor to the United Nations, Stefanik said at her confirmation hearing that the country has to ensure its investments are making America safer, stronger and more prosperous — echoing Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

“Our tax dollars should not be complicit in propping up entities that are counter to American interests, antisemitic, or engaging in fraud, corruption or terrorism,” Stefanik said in her opening remarks before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

She stressed the need to reform the U.N., where several resolutions have passed condemning Israel over its war in Gaza, and went so far as to say that it has not lived up to its founding mission. Lawmakers also noted the ability for American rivals Russia and China to veto resolutions in the most powerful U.N. body, the Security Council, notably on the invasion of Ukraine.

Sen. Jim Risch, the Republican committee chairman, set the tone by sharply criticizing the U.N., saying Stefanik “can bring much-needed change” to the institution.

“At this point, the U.S. should seriously examine if further contributions and, indeed, participation in the U.N. is even beneficial to the American people,” the Idaho lawmaker said.

The United States pays about one-fifth of the U.N.’s regular budget, and Stefanik was questioned repeatedly about U.S. support for its multiple agencies, which tackle everything including health, education, migration, reproductive rights and nuclear proliferation.

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, the top Democrat on the committee, stressed the importance of America’s presence at the U.N. and how China and other adversaries could...

A shame that the UN headquarters is on “international territory” and doesn’t pay to lease it. It is located on an area legally “not US soil.”

Why did the Americans make one bad decision after another?

More. Even if rape and murder the crimes committed by the UN and other “diplomats” cannot be prosecuted.

The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations codifies the rules of diplomatic immunity. The U.S. Diplomatic Relations Act of 1978 establishes the rules for diplomatic immunity in the United States.

Diplomatic immunity protects diplomats from arrest, detention, and prosecution in the countries they are stationed in.
Diplomatic immunity also protects diplomats from civil lawsuits, with some exceptions.
Diplomatic immunity protects diplomats from being forced to testify in court, even if they are victims of a crime.
Diplomatic immunity protects diplomats’ property and residences from being searched or entered.
The only direct remedy if a diplomat breaks the law is to declare them “persona non grata” and expel them from the country.

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.