Senator Mike Lee (UT-R) has now introduced Bill S.1197 to require an accounting of U.S. taxpayer dollars to the United Nations. Since 2010, there has been no such requirement, keeping U.S. citizens in the dark on how many taxpayer dollars are being spent on the UN or where they're going. To ensure full transparency, Senator Lee included the following reporting requirements from the executive branch in the bill:
- The total amount of all assessed and voluntary contributions, including in-kind, of the United States Government to the United Nations and United Nations affiliated agencies and related bodies.
- The approximate percentage of United States Government contributions to each United Nations affiliated agency or body in such fiscal year when compared with all contributions to such agency or body from any source in such fiscal year.
- For each such contribution- the amount of the contribution; a description of the contribution (including whether assessed or voluntary); the department or agency of the United States Government responsible for the contribution; the purpose of the contribution; and the United Nations or United Nations affiliated agency or related body receiving the contribution.
In addition to these details, Senator Lee's bill requires retroactive reporting on the three previous fiscal years and that each report be made publicly available in all formats, including the Internet. This is fundamental accountability and transparency and Senator Lee's efforts deserve bipartisan support.