House Foreign Affairs Ranking Member Meeks Blasts Trump’s Withdrawal From 66 International Organizations

Washington, D.C.- Representative Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, today issued a statement on Trump's withdrawal from 66 international organizations, including 31 United Nations entities.

"President Trump's withdrawal from these vital international organizations is a continuation of his assault on the multilateral, rules-based system the U.S. helped build and from which we have benefitted. This unilateral exit empowers our adversaries and robs the United States of its voice within these institutions, limiting our ability to ensure they align with U.S. interests.

"Far from advancing our priorities, this withdrawal will only undermine U.S. national security and prosperity. Many of the organizations affected support the livelihoods of everyday Americans and U.S. companies, including UN bodies helping to ensure a clean and safe environment, fair global labor and trade standards, and investments in the future of renewable energy.

"This decision also endangers American lives by undermining organizations that combat threats from foreign terrorists and our global adversaries. Furthermore, it will cede our influence to foreign competitors and diminish our leadership in designing the rules that govern the global digital economy, raising costs for U.S. businesses.

"This is yet another example of how Donald Trump's version of America first is, in practice, America alone."