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1 1 (September 8, 2023)

handle is hein.crs/govemui0001 and id is 1 raw text is: Con gressionaI Resea r h Service normi~ng Ih IegisIativ e debate sin ce 1914 Updated September 8, 2023 United Nations Issues: Congressional Representatives to the U.N. General Assembly The annual session of the United Nations (U.N.) General Assembly is held at U.N. Headquarters in New York City. The President generally appoints one Democrat and one Republican to serve as U.S. representatives to the session, alternating each year between the House and Senate. The President nominated Representatives French Hill and Barbara Lee to serve as representatives during the 78th Assembly session, which began on September 5, 2023. Overview of the U.N. General Assembly The U.N. General Assembly is composed of all 193 U.N. member states, including the United States. It is the primary deliberative, policymaking, and representative organ of the United Nations. Each country, including the United States, has one vote. A two-thirds majority vote is required for decisions related to key issues such as peace and security, admission of new members, and the budget. A simple majority vote applies for all other matters. The Assembly's annual regular session opens in September and runs for one year. The main part of the session, from September to December, includes most of the work of the Assembly's six committees. The annual meeting of heads of state and government, often referred to as the general debate, is held at the beginning of the Assembly session. Two Members of Congress generally serve as the U.S. representatives during this time. History of Congressional Representation The concept of congressional representation to the U.N. General Assembly emerged from extensive participation by both Senators and Representatives in the 1945 San Francisco Conference on International Organization, which led to the adoption of the U.N. Charter. The practice began at the first Assembly session in 1946, when Members of the Senate and House held positions as representatives and alternate representatives, respectively. Since that time, with few exceptions, congressional representatives have served as part of U.S. delegations to the U.N. General Assembly, which are typically led and coordinated by the Department of State. Each year two Senators have alternated with two Representatives-with the Senate typically serving in years when the House holds elections. In most cases, both parties have been represented and, when possible, the Administration and Congress have aimed to select Members who have not previously served as delegates. (See Table 1 for a list of congressional representatives from 2008 to 2023.) Legislative Authorty After the adoption of the U.N. Charter, Congress enacted the United Nations Participation Act of 1945 (UNPA; 22 U.S.C. 287 et seq.), which provides legislative authority for U.S. engagement in the United Nations. UNPA does not require congressional participation in sessions of the General Assembly, but anticipates and permits participation of Members of Congress, among other U.S. representatives, in such sessions. Section 2 of the act sets out the authorities for U.S. representation the United Nations. Specifically, Section 2(a) specifies that the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, shall designate not more than five U.S. representatives to attend a specified session or specified sessions of the General Assembly. UNPA does not specify whether Members are eligible to be appointed as U.S. representatives; however, Section 2(g) prohibits compensation for Members serving as U.S. representatives, signaling that Members might serve. Role and Responsiiitiks The role and duties of congressional representatives are not formalized; thus, the level and extent of congressional engagement during the Assembly session depends on the interests and priorities of individual Members. Delegates generally travel to New York at the beginning of the regular session. In the past, some Members have attended the general debate and the President's reception for visiting heads of state, while others have stayed for several additional days or returned for other parts of the Assembly session. Congressional representatives have also followed the activities of one of the General Assembly's six main committees, with at least one Member tracking the work of the fifth committee, which is responsible for administrative and budgetary matters related to the organization. Before or during the session, Members may also schedule appointments on policy issues of interest; these might include one-on-one visits with heads of state, foreign representatives, or U.N. officials. Congressional representatives have often received support from congressional committee staff and State Department officials. For example, staff from the House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC) and Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC) might write statements, provide background materials and briefings, or arrange meetings for Members. State Department officials generally coordinate meetings and brief Members on U.S. policy and key issues facing the Assembly. The Department also provides Members with office space and services in the U.S. Mission to the United Nations in New York City. Appointm ent Process As outlined in UNPA, the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate, may designate congressional representatives. In practice, SFRC has developed a policy of not holding hearings for temporary or part-time positions, including General Assembly representatives. Instead, both HFAC and SFRC have annually provided the President with their choices, who are then nominated by the

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