Springfield Standard

Senator Eric Schmitt has addressed a letter to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen concerning the proposed allocation of $667 million of taxpayer money to The Pandemic Fund. This fund is a financial intermediary housed by the World Bank and established by the World Health Organization (WHO).

In his letter, Senator Schmitt stated: “I write to you regarding your announcement on July 24th, 2024, committing the United States to providing up to $667 million to support the Pandemic Fund through the fiscal year 2026. This proposal is a blatant waste of taxpayer dollars and a slap in the face to the hardworking citizens of Missouri and The United States.”

He further elaborated on his concerns: “Last week’s ‘commitment’ was yet another brazen attempt to fund unaccountable entities from the American taxpayer’s wallet. To date, the United States has already provided over $450 million towards the $1.2 billion in contributions the Pandemic Fund has received. The highest donation counts by any single-nation.”

The senator also pointed out that this commitment is subject to Congressional appropriations and available funds: “As you opine in your press release, this ‘commitment’ is ‘subject to Congressional appropriations and the availability of funds.’ Indeed, it is, and in no world is this commitment a responsible use of taxpayer dollars."

Concluding his letter, Schmitt stated: "I send this letter to tell you that I will do everything in my power as a U.S. Senator to block taxpayer dollars going towards this wildly unAmerican and egregious request. I implore you to revoke this wasteful spending and focus on lowering inflation, tackling our $34 trillion debt, and putting America first.”

BACKGROUND:

Despite documented influence from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), WHO continues as a technical lead for The Pandemic Fund while chairing its Technical Advisory Panel which guides its governing board. WHO also serves as an implementing agency for fifteen out of nineteen projects supported by The Pandemic Fund.

Concerns are heightened due to CCP members being part of The Pandemic Fund's governing body. This inclusion follows a report from the Biden Administration’s Director of National Intelligence acknowledging a possible laboratory-associated incident in Wuhan, China as an origin for COVID-19. The report stressed that cooperation from China would be essential for conclusive findings about COVID-19's origins—a cooperation that has been refused by CCP with WHO allegedly allowing Beijing's absolution.

Read the full letter here.