Republican Governors Oppose WHO’s Proposed “Pandemic Agreement”

Republican governors from two dozen states, including Georgia and South Carolina, are pushing back against the World Health Organization’s proposed “Pandemic Agreement,” citing concerns over national sovereignty and states’ rights.

In a joint letter to President Joe Biden, the governors argue that the proposed treaty would give the WHO unprecedented authority in public health, potentially allowing the organization to establish a global surveillance infrastructure and censor free speech. They fear that the agreement could erode state sovereignty by granting the WHO’s Director-General unilateral power to declare public health emergencies in member nations, dictating responses and potentially mandating medical treatments.

The governors’ opposition to the treaty was underscored by a recent nonbinding vote in Georgia’s Republican primary, where 93.3% of voters expressed their disapproval of giving international bureaucrats control over future pandemics and personal health choices. While the vote does not carry legislative weight, it could influence lawmakers when they reconvene next year.

Governors from states such as Alabama, Florida, Texas, and Wyoming joined in signing the letter, expressing their concerns over the potential implications of the WHO’s proposed agreement. The pushback highlights a growing divide between state leaders and international health organizations, as they navigate the ongoing challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

As the debate over the WHO’s role in global health governance continues, the stance taken by these Republican governors could shape future policy decisions and discussions surrounding public health and sovereignty.