Issue Position: Foreign Affairs - The United Nations and U.S. Sovereignty

Issue Position

For years, our nation's citizens have been engaged in a debate about whether actions of the United Nations (U.N.) are fundamentally at odds with our constitutional rights as American citizens. While I support cooperation and positive relations between all nations, I oppose treaties and other agreements that seek to usurp U.S. sovereignty or infringe upon the rights given to us by the Constitution. During my time in Congress, I have worked with a number of my colleagues on initiatives that continue to preserve our constitutional rights and limit the influence of the United Nations over our citizens. Some of those initiatives are outlined below.

I was proud to join Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) last year in opposing U.S. taxpayer funding of the U.N. Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization - otherwise known as UNESCO. Unfortunately, Rep. Paul and I were joined by just 143 of our colleagues, including Idaho Rep. C.L. "Butch" Otter, in opposing the funding. President Ronald Reagan withdrew U.S. support for UNESCO in 1984 and our effort was consistent with his policies. While our attempt to block UNESCO funding ultimately failed, I remain hopeful we might eventually succeed in ending this waste of taxpayer money.

I am also proud to have joined Rep. Paul in offering legislation to block any attempt by the United Nations to infringe on Second Amendment rights in the United States. H.R. 3125 - the Right to Keep and Bear Arms Act of 2003 - would deny U.S. taxpayer funding to the United Nations that may be used in conjunction with efforts to promote any measure that advocates the taxation of firearms or otherwise infringes on our Second Amendment rights. I firmly believe the Second Amendment prohibits the federal government or any international organization from denying law-abiding citizens their right to keep and bear arms. H.R. 3125 currently has 48 House supporters, including Idaho Congressman C.L. "Butch" Otter, and is awaiting consideration in the House Committee on International Relations.

I remain concerned, as well, with the outrageous amount of money U.S. taxpayers provide to the United Nations each year. As a first step toward mitigating this problem, I have joined with Congressman J.D. Hayworth (R-AZ) and other conservatives in offering H.R. 2303 - legislation to limit U.S. dues for the U.N. regular budget to no more than the highest amount paid by any other permanent U.N. Security Council member. The U.S.'s 2003 assessment for the U.N. regular budget is a whopping $341 million. Under this bill, our nation would pay no more than France, which has been assessed the second highest amount, or $100 million. Aside from simple equity, enactment of this bill would lead to a reconsideration of how U.N. dues are assessed among permanent members.

In an effort to further protect our courageous servicemen and women from the reach of the United Nations, I have become a cosponsor of H.R. 1154 - the American Servicemember and Citizen Protection Act of 2003. I have strong concerns about the U.N. and the establishment of an International Criminal Court (ICC) established by the United Nations. H.R. 1154 would prohibit the use of appropriated funds for the establishment or operation of the ICC and prohibits the Court from taking action against any United States citizen or armed forces member. I am also pleased to report the Bush administration opposes the establishment of the ICC, and in May, 2002, it formally renounced any U.S. obligations under the treaty. While I commend President George W. Bush for his decision to withdraw the U.S. from the ICC, I will continue working to promote H.R. 1154 in the House of Representatives.

In addition to these important efforts now underway in the House of Representatives, I am working on a number of other initiatives I believe are important to Idaho and our nation. Among the many issues that may interest you:

* I oppose President Bush's new immigration plan and have co-signed a letter with Idaho Congressman C.L. "Butch" Otter to House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert outlining our grave concerns with the Bush Initiative. While many claim the plan does not offer amnesty to illegal aliens, any objective analysis of the initiative shows otherwise. I intend to vote against this initiative should it come to the House floor for a vote and urge my colleagues to instead focus on securing our borders from further illegal immigration.

* I oppose passage of the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) because of the impact it will have on Idaho's sugar industry. I had urged our nation's trade negotiators to protect sugar in their discussions with Central American nations and I regret that they did not comply with my request.

* I have joined 127 of my House colleagues in offering legislation to prohibit the Federal Government from accepting any form of identification issued by a foreign government other than a passport. This is important not only to ensure the safety and security of federal buildings, but to discourage document forgery and illegal entry into the United States.

* Finally, I am working with Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-FL) to protect manufacturers and sellers in the firearms and ammunition industry from restrictions on interstate or foreign commerce. H.R. 1036 - the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act - also provides protection to manufacturers and sellers in the firearms and ammunition industry who act legally from being harassed by junk lawsuits aimed at crippling the industry. You may be pleased to learn that this important legislation passed through the House of Representatives last April by a vote of 285-140. It is awaiting action in the Senate. I voted in favor of its passage.

These are just a few of the many issues on which I am working to protect our nation's sovereignty and the rights of United States' citizens.

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