State of Montana Newsroom
Gov. Gianforte in Joint Statement to Biden: Do Not Give More Power to the World Health Organization
HELENA, Mont. – Joining 23 governors, Governor Greg Gianforte today opposed two proposals that would grant the World Health Organization (WHO) unprecedented and unconstitutional authority that threaten to undermine the sovereignty of the United States.
In a letter to President Biden, the governors highlight the proposals that significantly alter the amendments to the WHO’s existing International Health Regulations and introduce a new "Pandemic Agreement" that would infringe on states’ rights and jeopardize Americans’ constitutionally guaranteed freedoms.
“The objective of these instruments is to empower the WHO, particularly its uncontrollable Director-General, with the authority to restrict the rights of U.S. citizens, including freedoms such as speech, privacy, travel, choice of medical care, and informed consent, thus violating our Constitution’s core principles,” the governors wrote.
They continue, “Furthermore, these instruments would erode sovereignty by granting the WHO’s Director-General the authority to dictate responses to a declared [public health emergency of international concern], stripping elected representatives of their role in setting public health policies and compelling citizens to comply with WHO directives, potentially including mandates regarding medical treatments.”
In November 2021, Gov. Gianforte stood against President Biden’s efforts to mandate COVID-19 vaccinations for employers and their employees and reaffirmed Montana law that prohibits discrimination based on an individual’s vaccination status.
“As governors, we affirm that public health policy is a matter reserved for the states, not the federal government, and certainly not international bodies like the WHO. We are committed to resisting any attempts to transfer authority to the WHO over public policy affecting our citizens or any efforts by the WHO to assert such authority over them,” the governors concluded.
In addition to Governor Gianforte, signatories to the letter include: Governor Kay Ivey (AL), Governor Mike Dunleavy (AK), Governor Sarah Sanders (AR), Governor Ron DeSantis (FL), Governor Brian Kemp (GA), Governor Brad Little (ID), Governor Kim Reynolds (IA), Governor Eric Holcomb (IN), Governor Jeff Landry (LA), Governor Tate Reeves (MS), Governor Jim Pillen (NE), Governor Joe Lombardo (NV), Governor Chris Sununu (NH), Governor Doug Burgum (ND), Governor Kevin Stitt (OK), Governor Henry McMaster (SC), Governor Kristi Noem (SD), Governor Bill Lee (TN), Governor Greg Abbott (TX), Governor Spencer Cox (UT), Governor Glenn Youngkin (VA), Governor Jim Justice (WV), and Governor Mark Gordon (WY).
The full letter may be viewed here.
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