Clinton opposes GOP bill to cut U.S. funding to U.N., poll finds majority of Americans also against legislation

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton in a letter to lawmakers on Wednesday "warned House Republicans about pushing ahead with a bill to cut funds for the United Nations, saying she would recommend that President Barack Obama veto the legislation" that is expected to be considered by the House Foreign Affairs Committee on Thursday, the Associated Press/Washington Post reports. "Clinton said the bill would severely limit U.S. participation in the world body, undercut U.S. interests and damage the security of Americans at home and abroad," AP writes (10/12).

"The majority of Americans said they oppose the proposed legislation ... that would cut [U.S.] funding to the [U.N.] by 50 percent, and end funding to U.N. agencies that respond and take action after a natural disaster or humanitarian crisis, such as UNICEF and the World Health Organization," according to the results of a bipartisan public opinion survey conducted by Public Opinion Strategies and Hart Research Associates released on Wednesday, a U.N./Better World Campaign joint press release reports (10/12). According to the poll, "Eighty-six percent of voters believe the U.S. should take an active role within the international body," National Journal reports (10/12).