The DEFUND Act of 2025 terminates U.S. membership in the United Nations and affiliated organizations, prohibits funding and participation in UN activities, and revokes diplomatic immunity for UN personnel.
Chip Roy
Representative
TX-21
The DEFUND Act of 2025 terminates U.S. membership in the United Nations and all affiliated organizations, repeals existing acts that enable U.S. participation, and prohibits future funding or involvement in UN activities, including peacekeeping operations and conventions. It also revokes diplomatic immunity for UN personnel within the U.S. and requires the Secretary of State to notify the UN of these changes. The bill further prevents the U.S. from reentering the UN without Senate approval and a guaranteed right to withdraw.
DEFUND Act: U.S. Out of the UN, Funding Cut, Diplomatic Immunity Gone
The "Disengaging Entirely From the United Nations Debacle Act of 2025," or DEFUND Act, is exactly what it sounds like: a complete U.S. withdrawal from the United Nations. This bill, if passed, would repeal the United Nations Participation Act of 1945 (SEC. 2) and the United Nations Headquarters Agreement Act (SEC. 3), effectively kicking the U.S. out of the UN and ending any agreements about the UN headquarters in New York.
Pulling the Plug
The core of the DEFUND Act is about severing all ties with the UN. This means no more funding (except for the costs of leaving), no participation in peacekeeping operations (SEC. 5), and the closure of the U.S. Mission to the UN (SEC. 2). For example, if a global health crisis emerges, the U.S. wouldn't be contributing funds or personnel through the World Health Organization (WHO), as the bill also repeals U.S. membership in the WHO (SEC. 7). The bill also removes diplomatic immunity for UN personnel in the U.S. (SEC. 6), meaning they'd be subject to the same laws as everyone else, losing the protections they currently have under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.
Real-World Ripple Effects
Imagine a small business owner who occasionally bids on contracts related to UN projects. Under this bill, those opportunities vanish. Or consider a U.S. military veteran who served in a UN peacekeeping mission. This bill says "no more" to any future such deployments. Even for an office worker, this could mean a shift in how international standards are set – everything from trade regulations to environmental policies could change without U.S. input at the UN level. It is important to note that the UN or its bodies occupies no U.S. Government property or facilities, so the provision in SEC. 6. is functionally meaningless.
The Big Picture and Potential Challenges
This bill isn't just about leaving the UN; it's about changing how the U.S. interacts with the world. It repeals involvement in any UN conventions and agreements (SEC. 8). Getting back into the UN would require Senate approval, and even then, the U.S. would have to keep a guaranteed exit ramp (SEC. 9). One major challenge is the immediate disruption to international collaborations. Another is the long-term impact on the U.S.'s ability to influence global decisions. The Secretary of State is tasked with notifying the UN and its related organizations about this Act (SEC. 10). This bill essentially redraws the lines of global engagement for the United States.