Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen is pushing back against critics of her proposal to cut U.S. funding to the United Nations, saying it would protect Washington from being linked to policies it doesn’t support — such as naming Libya to the Human Rights Council.
The Florida Republican, who chairs the House Committee on Foreign affairs, filed legislation two weeks ago that would make U.S. contributions to the U.N. voluntary. The Obama administration has said it would undermine U.S. foreign policy.
But at a news conference Tuesday in Washington, Ros-Lehtinen defended the bill as pro-Israel,
The Miami Herald reported. Her proposal would also block U.S. funding to any agency that elevates the Palestinians’ status.
"I don't think that it's backwards to demand transparency, accountability and reform," Ros-Lehtinen said.
The bill has 57 Republican co-sponsors, including fellow Florida Rep. Allen West.
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