Washington, D.C. -- After 170 nations voted against the principled position of the United States of America in voting against the formation of the new United Nations Human Rights Council (with only 3 nations -- Israel, Marshall Islands, and Palau -- voting with the United States), Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, (R-TN), led an effort to convince the Bush Administration to not seek membership in this extremely flawed organization. Today the Bush Administration decided to oppose U.S. membership in this new organization.

Roberta Combs, the President of Christian Coalition of America said, " I applaud President Bush for his administration's courageous decision to oppose America's membership in a United Nations Human Rights Council which will allow terrorist nations to become members and indeed to even chair the council. Christian Coalition applauds Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist for his persistent efforts to prevent the United States from becoming a member of this new tyrannical organization which is supposed to stand in defense of the oppressed around the world."

Majority Leader Frist went to the floor of the United States Senate and voiced his opposition to America's participation in what he called a new unreformed body. He also voiced his concerns in a letter to the President of the United States. Last week, the Chairman of the House International Relations subcommittee on Africa, global human rights and international operations, Congressman Chris Smith, (R-NJ), said, "The victims of human rights abuse around the world deserve better than this new egregiously flawed council."

For further information contact: Michele Combs - 202-479-6900