A group of prominent Republican senators unveiled the WHO is Accountable Act today, a legislative push to cement President Donald Trump’s recent executive order withdrawing the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO). Led by Senators Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), and Ted Cruz (R-Texas), the bill aims to prevent any future U.S. reentry into the WHO until the organization implements “clear and transparent accountability reforms” to address its alleged deference to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In the House, Rep. Jodey Arrington (R-Texas) is spearheading a companion measure.
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The legislation follows Trump’s January 2025 executive order pulling the U.S. out of the WHO, a move he justified by citing the organization’s disproportionate reliance on American funding—$500 million annually compared to China’s $39 million—while failing to serve U.S. interests.
The senators echoed this sentiment, slamming the WHO for what they describe as a cover-up of COVID-19’s origins alongside the CCP, which they claim endangered American lives.
“I’m glad to see President Trump demanding accountability from the WHO by withdrawing federal funds and U.S. membership, which is long overdue,” said Sen. Rick Scott. “This is an organization that clearly doesn’t care about American families, evidenced by working hand-in-hand with the Chinese Communist Party to cover up COVID. Our bill will make clear the United States will not rejoin or commit tax dollars to the corrupt WHO until we are certain it aligns with America’s interests over Communist China’s.”
Sen. Marsha Blackburn piled on, calling the WHO “a puppet for the Chinese Communist Party” that “grossly mismanaged the COVID pandemic” while pocketing over a billion dollars in U.S. funds. “We must support President Trump’s actions to hold the WHO accountable by ensuring any future president who wants to rejoin meets concrete conditions of improvement,” she said.
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Sen. John Barrasso emphasized fiscal responsibility, arguing, “American tax dollars cannot be used to fund the CCP’s and WHO’s cover-up of the COVID-19 pandemic. The mismanagement, failed transparency, and lack of independence at the WHO is inexcusable. Our bill ensures that not one penny of taxpayer money is spent rejoining the WHO if serious reforms aren’t made.”
The WHO is Accountable Act reflects a broader GOP critique of the WHO’s handling of global health crises, particularly its perceived leniency toward China during the early stages of COVID-19. Critics, including the bill’s sponsors, allege the organization suppressed evidence of the virus’s origins and failed to act independently, costing lives and economic stability worldwide.
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The legislation sets a high bar for reentry, demanding reforms to ensure transparency and autonomy from foreign influence—moves its backers say are essential to protect U.S. sovereignty and taxpayer dollars.
Rep. Arrington’s companion bill in the House mirrors these goals, signaling unified Republican support for Trump’s WHO exit strategy. While the White House has not yet commented on the legislation, its alignment with Trump’s executive action suggests potential backing as the administration doubles down on its “America First” agenda.
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