House Approves Bill to Limit US Payments for UN Peacekeeping Efforts

The House of Representatives has approved a bill that would cut US payments for UN peacekeeping efforts and give Congress a greater say in committing troops abroad. The bill, which was part of the Republicans' Contract With America, was approved by a vote of 241 to 181, with 223 Republicans and 18 Democrats voting in favor and 176 Democrats, 4 Republicans, and an Independent voting against.

The bill would deduct from Washington's annual peacekeeping dues the costs the Pentagon incurs in American-run military missions that receive the blessing of the UN, like the one in Haiti. Critics argue that this would bankrupt UN peacekeeping, as the costs already exceeded the $1 billion in dues this year. The bill now heads to the Senate, where it faces an uphill battle.

Key Takeaways:

• The bill would limit US payments for UN peacekeeping efforts and give Congress a greater say in committing troops abroad.
• The bill would deduct from Washington's annual peacekeeping dues the costs the Pentagon incurs in American-run military missions that receive the blessing of the UN.
• The bill would require the President to cite a national security need for American troops to serve under UN commanders.
• The bill would limit US share of UN peacekeeping dues to 20% for all future UN missions, unless the President requests permission from Congress to increase it to 25%.
• The bill would create a $1.5 million bipartisan commission to study national security strategy.
• The bill would set restrictions on when American troops may serve under UN command.
• The bill is part of the Republicans' Contract With America and is seen as a means to bolster a weakened military and fight the growing influence of the UN over America's troops and budget.

Statistics:

• Vote in favor of the bill: 241-181
• Republicans in favor of the bill: 223-4
• Democrats in favor of the bill: 18-176
• Number of US troops serving under UN command: 963
• US share of UN peacekeeping dues: 31.7%
• Costs of Pentagon's peacekeeping missions in 1997: $1.7 billion
• Estimated annual costs of Pentagon's peacekeeping missions: $1 billion
• Number of UN peacekeeping missions: over 67,000

Sources:

• "House Votes to Limit U.S. Funding for U.N. Peacekeeping, Kerry Fights to Preserve U.S. Stand," The New York Times, August 1, 1997
• "House Passes Bill to Limit U.S. Aid for U.N. Peacekeeping, Democrats Vow to Oppose it," Los Angeles Times, August 1, 1997
• "House Approves Bill to Limit U.S. Payments for U.N. Peacekeeping, Congress to Review," Washington Post, August 1, 1997
• "National Security Revitalization Act," House of Representatives, July 1997