United Nations Voting Accountability Act of 2025
The United Nations Voting Accountability Act of 2025 would bar United States assistance to any country that votes against the United States’ position in United Nations deliberations or sponsors/leads resolutions that disproportionately target the United States or its allies. The law defines “opposed the position of the United States” by comparing a country's voting Record to the U.S. record in the most recent UN General Assembly session (and, for UN Security Council members, in both the Security Council and General Assembly). It includes broad forms of aid—economic, military, and support through multilateral or non-governmental channels, including UN programs. There is a narrowly scoped exemption process if a country experiences a fundamental change in leadership and policy that would cause it to stop opposing the U.S.; such exemptions are temporary and must be notified to Congress with justification. The act would take effect when the required historical voting-report is submitted to Congress, anticipated to be by March 31, 2026.
Key Points
- 1Prohibition on aid: No U.S. assistance to countries that opposed the United States' position in the UN or sponsor/lead resolutions that disproportionately target the United States or its allies.
- 2How “opposed” is measured: If a country’s votes align with the U.S. less than 50% of the time, based on the most recent General Assembly (and Security Council for Council members) voting records described in the annual Congress-report required by 22 U.S.C. 2414a.
- 3Exemption for leadership change: The Secretary of State may grant a temporary exemption if there is a fundamental change in leadership and policy so that the country will no longer oppose the U.S., with the exemption lasting only until the next required report is submitted; Congress must be notified with the reasons for the exemption.
- 4What counts as “United States assistance”: Includes Economic Support Fund, International Military Education and Training, Foreign Military Financing, and any other monetary or physical aid (directly or indirectly), including funding routed through international organizations, multilateral institutions, NGOs, and United Nations programs.
- 5Effective date: The act takes effect upon the submission of the required 406-report to Congress (the report due by March 31, 2026 under the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, FY 1990/1991).