Marco Rubio asked to reject pro-abortion UN nominee

Secretary of State Marco Rubio is facing pressure from Republican lawmakers to block a controversial nominee for a top job at the United Nations.

A group of lawmakers, led by Rep. Chris Smith, R-New Jersey, sent a letter urging Rubio to take action if the United Nations considers former Chilean president Michelle Bachelet for secretary-general.

They asked Rubio to direct U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Michael Waltz to use the country’s veto power on the Security Council to stop her nomination.

Lawmakers pointed to Bachelet’s record on abortion and said it raises serious concerns.

“Bachelet’s resume reveals a pro-abortion zealot intent on using political authority to override state sovereignty in favor of extreme agendas,” the lawmakers wrote.

They said her approach has included pressure on countries protecting unborn life.

“She has both overtly attacked pro-life laws — including those of the United States — and sought to weaken them through intimidation and coercion,” the letter states.

Bachelet previously served as president of Chile and later as the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. During her time in office, she backed policies expanding abortion. At the United Nations, she also criticized the U.S. Supreme Court decision that overturned Roe v. Wade, calling it a “major setback” and “a huge blow to women’s human rights.”

Her office also argued abortion access is tied to international human rights standards. The Republican lawmakers rejected this view, saying it conflicts with the basic right to life.

“The truth is that killing an unborn child by abortion can never be construed to be a human right,” they wrote. “Every person — born and unborn — deserves to have his or her human rights secured and protected.”

They also warned her record puts her at odds with agreements such as the Geneva Consensus Declaration, which affirms there is no international right to abortion.

In addition to abortion concerns, lawmakers criticized Bachelet’s handling of human rights issues involving China. They pointed to a report released at the end of her term that they said failed to fully address human rights abuses.

“In an appalling failure of leadership, Dr. Bachelet crumbled under pressure and enabled the CCP to manipulate the visit for its own advantage,” the letter states.

The push comes as the Trump administration works to refocus the United Nations on its core role of maintaining peace and security. The United States recently withdrew from UN Women, signaling a shift away from the body’s liberal priorities.

Lawmakers said choosing a nominee with a record of promoting abortion through international bodies would move the organization further in the wrong direction.