H.R. 1498 — DEFUND Act of 2025

This section establishes the short title of the Act as the “Disengaging Entirely From the United Nations Debacle Act of 2025” or the “DEFUND Act of 2025.”

This section repeals the United Nations Participation Act of 1945 (22 U.S.C. 287 et seq.), directs the President to terminate all United States membership in the United Nations and in any organ, specialized agency, commission, or other formally affiliated body of the United Nations, and closes the United States Mission to the United Nations. (Thus, the United States would withdraw from the United Nations system and any remaining functions of the U.S. Mission would cease.)

This section repeals the United Nations Headquarters Agreement Act, the Joint Resolution of August 4, 1947 (61 Stat. 756; 22 U.S.C. 287 note), and directs the United States to withdraw from the 1947 agreement between the United States and the United Nations regarding the location of United Nations headquarters in New York. (Thus, the United States would no longer be a party to the headquarters agreement brought into effect by the 1947 Act.)

This section prohibits the appropriation or other availability of any funds for assessed or voluntary contributions by the United States to the United Nations or any of its organs, specialized agencies, commissions, or other formally affiliated bodies, except for funds needed to facilitate termination of U.S. membership and the withdrawal of U.S. personnel and equipment under sections 2 and 3. It further provides that, upon termination of U.S. membership, no payments may be made to the United Nations or any affiliated body from funds appropriated before that termination or from any other available funds.

This section prohibits the United States from participating in any United Nations peacekeeping operation.

This section prohibits the United Nations, including any organ, specialized agency, commission, or other formally affiliated body, from occupying or using any property or facility of the United States Government. It also repeals diplomatic and related immunities for the United Nations and its personnel, as well as for representatives, officers, and employees of foreign missions to the United Nations, by barring application of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, the International Organizations Immunities Act (22 U.S.C. 288 et seq.), and specified United Nations headquarters and privileges agreements. (Thus, United Nations personnel and covered foreign mission personnel would no longer receive the privileges, exemptions, and immunities otherwise available under those authorities, including for their families, suites, and servants.)

This section terminates United States statutory authorization to participate in the World Health Organization by repealing the 1948 joint resolution that authorized U.S. membership and participation under 22 U.S.C. § 290. (Thus, the President would no longer have that specific statutory authority to accept or maintain U.S. membership in the World Health Organization.)

This section terminates United States participation in any conventions and agreements with the United Nations and any organ, specialized agency, commission, or other formally affiliated body of the United Nations. It also prohibits any remaining functions of those conventions and agreements from being carried out.

This section prohibits the President from entering into any agreement for United States membership in the United Nations or any of its organs, specialized agencies, commissions, or other formally affiliated bodies without the advice and consent of the Senate. It also requires that any Senate consent to such an agreement include a reservation in the instrument of ratification preserving the right of the United States to withdraw from the agreement.

This section directs the Secretary of State to notify the United Nations and any of its organs, specialized agencies, commissions, or other formally affiliated bodies of the provisions of this Act.