The US House of Representatives on Wednesday defeated a largely symbolic bill demanding repayment of surplus contributions to an obscure United Nations fund amid a broader battle over cuts to overseas aid. Lawmakers voted 259-169 for the legislation, falling well short of the two-thirds majority needed to pass the measure, the latest effort by Republicans to signal they are serious about tightening Washington's belt.
The bill sought the return of US overpayments into the UN Tax Equalisation Fund, which serves to reimburse UN workers for taxes paid on their salaries, for a one-time savings of $180 million. The effort had reportedly drawn fire from a senior Republican, House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Pete King of New York, because about $100 million of he excess has been repurposed for security upgrades at UN headquarters. King was one of two Republicans to join 167 Democrats to vote against the measure, while 23 Democrats joined most Republicans in backing the bill.
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