Bolton and UN Reform
John Bolton’s nomination to the UN failed to attain enough votes for cloture again today, even with Voinovich’s help (he actually voted for Bolton).
The Bolton vote epitomizes the raging debate in Congress on UN reformation. Representative Henry Hyde, the venerable statesman from Illinois, has authored a bill that strips half of the funding for the UN unless the UN makes some drastic changes in its management and organizational structure. The bill has passed the House and now moves on to the Senate.
Brett Schafer of the Heritage Foundation authored an excellent analysis of the UN Reform Act of 2005. Any reform focused on greater accountablility and transparency for the UN would be a step in the right direction. and Rep. Hyde’s bill is such a step. Too bad the bill wasn’t entitled the “Kick out Kofi UN Reform Bill.”
Hopefully, Bolton will get a fair shake. However, that fair shake will not happen until the constitutional option is exercised. Senator Frist, it’s time to throw down the gauntlet and force the constitutional option to a vote. Now.