Why It Matters
The Trump administration is withdrawing the United States from more than 30 United Nations bodies and has delayed or halted payments to some UN entities, including the UN regular budget and peacekeeping, according to a new Congressional Research Service (CRS) report. U.S. arrears to the UN regular budget and peacekeeping combined reached $4.26 billion as of Sept. 30, with peacekeeping arrears of $2.95 billion exceeding regular-budget arrears of $1.31 billion.
Some members might consider whether to specify funding levels or conditions for specific UN entities in fiscal 2027 funding bills or other legislation, and where the United States can leverage its position as one of the largest UN financial contributors.
The Big Picture
The UN regular budget totaled $3.45 billion in 2026, with the United States assessed at 22%, China at 20% and Japan at 6.9%. The U.S. peacekeeping assessment rate of 26.15% exceeds the 25% cap Congress enacted in 1994, a gap CRS says has driven the accumulation of peacekeeping arrears.
On Feb. 4, 2025, President Trump signed Executive Order 14199, directing withdrawal from the UN Human Rights Council, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, and calling for a review of U.S. participation in all international organizations. On Jan. 7, the President instructed U.S. agencies to cease participation in or funding of 66 international organizations, including 31 UN entities such as the UN Conference on Trade and Development, the UN Democracy Fund, the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and UN Women. The United States withdrew from WHO on Jan. 1, and from UNESCO in July 2025.
The Rescissions Act of 2025, sponsored by Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA-1), became P.L. 119-28 on July 24, 2025, rescinding funding to certain UN-related appropriations accounts. The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026, sponsored by Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK-4), became P.L. 119-75 on Feb. 3, and appropriated funding to other UN entities.
The Bottom Line
Reduced U.S. engagement could increase the influence of other countries, and many members have expressed concern about China's growing role in the UN system. Congress might consider specifying funding levels or conditions for specific UN entities in fiscal year 2027 funding bills or other legislation.
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