UNpaid Dues

In a bipartisan vote on Friday the House of Representatives approved Representative Henry Hyde's (R-IL) legislation that would automatically cut U.S. dues to the United Nations (UN) by half unless the world body completes a list of much needed reforms. Despite paying the largest share of the UN's bills, the U.S. has had little voice in dealing with scandals such as UN peacekeeping troops raping and pillaging the countries they are supposed to protect and the Oil-for-Food scandal, which has recently been tied directly to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan. The reform ball is now in the Senate's court. Today the Senate is scheduled to vote on the filibustered nomination of John Bolton to be US Ambassador to the UN.In an unexpected move this weekend, Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice indicated that President Bush would be open to recess appointing Bolton, which would allow him to serve until January 2007 without Senate approval. This unusual step, while welcomed if needed, should not be necessary. Please call your Senators and ask them to support John Bolton and to champion Rep. Hyde's UN reform legislation.