With Congress shaking up after the 2022 midterm elections, Republicans have benefitted with new leadership positions. Today, Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL) chaired the first hearing of the State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs (SFOPS) Subcommittee of the House Committee on Appropriations, to hear from Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, Representative of the U.S. to the United Nations.
During the hearing, Rep. Diaz-Balart brought up issues that he deemed important during his re-election efforts, anti-semitism being a major one. While Republicans have prioritized protecting American Jews from antisemitic attacks, Diaz-Balart is focusing on abuse the state of Israel has allegedly sustained from the United Nations.
The Congressman alleges the UN engages in biased investigations into Israel and is seeking to squash them. Diaz-Balart claims the UN has a "myopic obsession" with Israel, "through frequent condemnations and unending investigations." Diaz Balart further called out the UN for other issues , such as giving credence to Communist nations like Cuba and China, via the Human Rights Council.
Much like former President Donald Trump, Diaz-Balart framed the UN as a globalist establishment that adversely affects everyday Americans. Congressman Diaz-Balart also noted that U.S. taxpayers contributed $12 billion to support the United Nations last year– more than any other country. The United States must not continue writing blank checks to an organization that is so deeply and unrepentantly flawed and appears to be increasingly at odds with America's values and interests.
