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Utah House approves resolution asking Congress to consider withdrawal from United Nations
Summary
After hours of debate and two adopted wording changes, the Utah House passed HJR 3, a nonbinding resolution asking Congress to consider withdrawing the United States from the United Nations; the measure passed 42–33 and was sent to the state Senate.
The Utah House of Representatives passed HJR 3 on Jan. 15, 2004, a nonbinding joint resolution urging Congress to consider withdrawing the United States from the United Nations. The measure passed on a recorded announcement by the clerk after debate and procedural votes, with the clerk announcing 42 yes votes and 33 no votes; the resolution will be transmitted to the state Senate for further consideration.
Sponsor Representative Don Bush framed the resolution as an effort to protect U.S. sovereignty. “I believe our constitution is at risk,” Bush said during floor remarks, arguing the U.N. has sometimes constrained U.S. military and diplomatic options. He added the resolution simply asks Congress to consider withdrawal as an option: “All we're doing in this resolution is asking Congress to consider the option of withdrawing from the United Nations.”
Supporters and opponents offered contrasting rationales. Representative Hansen said the resolution defends the Constitution and urged the House to let congressional representatives know how the state’s citizens feel. Representative Hughes said consideration of withdrawal was worthy of debate and should not be dismissed as fringe. In opposition, Representative Allen read an editorial and warned that U.S. military safety and the potential need for international cooperation in volatile situations counseled caution; Allen said she could not support the resolution because “the safety of our men and women may be dependent upon cooperation” with international partners.
The House adopted two changes to the draft resolution during debate. Representative Bigelow offered an amendment to change wording so a phrase would read “people of our nation” instead of “people of a nation”; that amendment was adopted by voice vote. Later the House adopted a textual amendment inserting the words “God given” before “rights” in line 45 and changing a verb to read “protect,” again by voice vote.
The body considered but rejected a motion to "circle" the resolution (set it aside). Representative Daniels moved to circle HJR 3, arguing the legislature should focus on state business; the motion failed after debate and a voice vote. Proponents then closed debate and the clerk announced the final tally and referral to the Senate.
HJR 3 is a nonbinding state resolution. It does not change federal law and cannot by itself cause the United States to leave the U.N.; it directs a message to Congress. The resolution’s passage signals to Utah’s congressional delegation and to the public that a majority of the House supported asking Congress to consider the withdrawal option.
The House referred the measure to the Senate for further consideration.
