To implement a strategy to relocate the headquarters of the United Nations, and for other purposes.
- Bill Number
- H.R. 6395
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- International Affairs
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-12-03: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
- Last Updated
- 2026-01-06T19:54:36Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This bill, H.R. 6395, directs the U.S. Department of State to create and execute a plan to renegotiate the 1947 international agreement that established the United Nations (UN) headquarters in New York City. The goal is to move the UN headquarters to another location within the United States.
Key Provisions
- Strategy Development: The Secretary of State must develop factors (criteria) for selecting potential new sites and compile a list of alternative U.S. locations for the UN headquarters.
- Negotiation and Renegotiation: The Secretary is required to negotiate with UN representatives to amend the 1947 Headquarters Agreement to allow relocation to one of the identified U.S. sites.
- Senate Involvement: The Secretary must consult with and notify Congress as needed to secure Senate ratification of any amended agreement, following the constitutional process for treaties (advice and consent).
- Relocation Steps: Once ratified, the Secretary must take all necessary actions to implement the move.
- Implementation and Reporting: The strategy must be implemented as quickly as possible. Upon completion, the Secretary must notify the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, including a timeline for action and details on next steps.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- The bill does not directly amend U.S. statutes but mandates renegotiation of the 1947 Headquarters Agreement, an international treaty. If successful, this would alter the treaty's terms, which currently fix the UN headquarters in New York, potentially requiring congressional approval for the changes.
- It introduces a formal U.S. government strategy and timeline for relocation, which did not previously exist in law.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: The Department of State would bear the primary responsibility for negotiations, consultations, and implementation, potentially increasing diplomatic workload and costs. Congressional committees would gain oversight through required reports.
- Citizens: Local economies could shift; New York City might face job losses and reduced international activity, while the chosen relocation site could see economic growth from UN operations, jobs, and infrastructure development.
- International Relations: Renegotiating with the UN could strain U.S. relations with other member states if they oppose the move, but it might also reaffirm U.S. influence by keeping the headquarters domestic. The process could take years and involve global diplomacy.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- U.S. Government: Department of State (lead agency), Congress (especially foreign affairs committees for oversight and ratification).
- United Nations: UN leadership and member states, who must agree to treaty changes.
- U.S. Localities: New York City and state (current host, potential losses); other U.S. cities/states competing for relocation (potential economic beneficiaries).
- Broader Public: U.S. taxpayers (funding implementation) and international community (affected by UN operations).
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Constitutional: Relies on Article II, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution, requiring Senate advice and consent (two-thirds vote) for treaty amendments, ensuring checks and balances in foreign affairs.
- Legal: The 1947 Agreement is a binding treaty; unilateral U.S. action without UN consent could lead to international disputes or require withdrawal from the agreement, though the bill focuses on negotiation.
- Political: The bill could spark debate on U.S. sovereignty over international bodies, with potential partisan divides; success depends on UN cooperation and might influence U.S. foreign policy priorities, such as emphasizing domestic hosting of global institutions.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (3)
Rep. Issa, Darrell [R-CA-48], Rep. Baird, James R. [R-IN-4], Rep. McGuire, John J. [R-VA-5]
Recent Actions
- 2025-12-03: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
- 2025-12-03: Introduced in House
- 2025-12-03: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- To implement a strategy to relocate the headquarters of the United Nations, and for other purposes. — issued 2025-12-03 — PDF (3 pages)