House Foreign Affairs Ranking Member Meeks Warns Trump’s WHO Withdrawal Puts Americans at Risk; Cedes U.S. Leadership

Washington, D.C. - Representative Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued a statement condemning the administration's decision to exit the U.S. from the UN World Health Organization (WHO):

"President Trump's decision to withdraw the U.S. from the WHO will only weaken the United States' capacity to prevent deadly diseases from reaching our shores and put American lives at risk.

"For nearly eight decades, we've partnered with the WHO to counter global health threats that directly affect Americans, including Ebola, malaria, and other infectious diseases. The WHO has played a critical role in disease surveillance, vaccine development including for influenza and other life-threatening diseases, and outbreak response that help stop pandemics before they spread to the United States.

"This is also the latest example of Trump forfeiting U.S. leadership and putting America last. Trump's unilateral withdrawal will only empower malign actors who will fill the void left by our withdrawal, and grant China an unprecedented opportunity to assert greater influence. This will not make America safer, or more prosperous. It will only put Americans at risk and cede U.S. influence where it matters most."