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PROTECT DEMOCRACY IN BURMA ACT OF 2021
Mr. MEEKS. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1112) to require a report on the military coup in Burma, and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 1112
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Protect Democracy in Burma Act of 2021''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) On March 14, 2005, the House of Representatives agreed to H. Res. 135, which established the House Democracy Assistance Commission (later changed to the House Democracy Partnership, hereafter referred to as ``HDP'') to work directly with parliaments around the world to support the development of effective, independent, and responsive legislative institutions.
(2) HDP approved a legislative strengthening partnership with Burma in 2016 and organized the first congressional delegation to meet with the new civilian-led government, led by State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi, and civil society leaders in May 2016.
(3) On February 2, 2021, the U.S. Department of State assessed that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader of Burma's ruling party, and President Win Myint, the duly elected head of government, were deposed in a military coup on February 1, 2021.
(4) As part of the military coup, the Burmese military declared martial law, suspended the civilian-led government, and detained newly elected Members of Parliament in the capitol, Naypyidaw, thereby usurping the role of the democratically elected government and parliament.
SEC. 3. SENSE OF CONGRESS.
It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) due to the Burmese military's seizure of government through the detention of State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, President Win Myint, and other government leaders, Burma is not represented by a democratically-elected government;
(2) the inability of newly elected Members of Parliament to begin their official mandate due to the Burmese military's actions directly threatens the democratic trajectory of Burma's Parliament, and thereby the country;
(3) the will and determination of those duly-elected Members of Parliament who are taking it upon themselves to continue serving as representatives of the people through alternative methods of communicating and convening should be lauded; and
(4) by preventing the Parliament from completing its work, the Burmese military has rendered impossible and effectively nullified the international collaborative relationships that have supported and strengthened the institution, including the Burmese parliament's partnership with HDP.
SEC. 4. POLICY OF THE UNITED STATES REGARDING BURMA'S
DEMOCRACY.
It is the policy of the United States to--
(1) condemn the military coup in Burma, to urge the unconditional release of detained democratically-elected leaders and civil society members, and to support a return to Burma's democratic transition;
(2) instruct, as appropriate, representatives of the United States Government to use the voice, vote, and influence of the United States at the United Nations to hold accountable those responsible for the military coup in Burma; and
(3) engage with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
(ASEAN) and ASEAN member states to promote a return to Burma's democratic transition and democratic values throughout Southeast Asia, and support the centrality of ASEAN within the regional architecture of the Indo-Pacific.
SEC. 5. REPORT.
Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate a report on the military coup in Burma, including a description of efforts to implement the policy specified in section 4.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Meeks) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. McCaul) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York.
General Leave
Mr. MEEKS. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 1112, as amended.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from New York?
There was no objection.
Mr. MEEKS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, I want to start by thanking Mr. Connolly for this important bill before us today.
The Protect Democracy in Burma Act of 2021 is a timely measure that ensures the United States is not silent when a military coup supplants democracy. It also directs strong U.S. engagement with our partners at the U.N. and ASEAN because we are always stronger when we are united.
In 2015, decades of brutal military rule gave way to what many hoped would be a new era of reform and democratization in Burma. That hope was short-lived, and the Tatmadaw began to show its true colors as it engaged in a genocide of the Rohingya Muslim minority.
Now, a little more than 5 years after the democratic opening that it helped usher in, the military has halted Burma's democratic experiment.
By all accounts, Burma's November 2020 parliamentary elections were credible, and claims of widespread fraud have been debunked by election-monitoring authorities. The United States condemns, in the strongest possible terms, the actions of the Burmese military and its violent crackdown and killing of protesters. But we cannot stand alone.
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To be most effective, the United States must work with our partners in the region in condemning the Tatmadaw's brutal actions in supporting democracy and respect for the election outcome.
Madam Speaker, that is exactly what this bill sets out to do. It makes clear where the U.S. stands. It promotes multilateral cooperation as we work to hold the Burmese military accountable and call for a return to Burma's democratic transition. It also ensures reporting to Congress so that we can properly review U.S. policy.
Madam Speaker, this is a very important bill that sends a message to the people of Burma and to the entire world, and I urge my colleagues to support this measure.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. McCAUL. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, on February 1, Burma's military seized power yet again, ending 5 years of a flawed, but hopeful, democracy, and dragging Burma back into brutal military rule. Since that day, the world has watched horrified as pro-democracy protestors are met with brutal violence in the streets.
The Burmese military has used communications blackouts, curfews, and mass detentions to stifle opposition. They have used live ammunition against peaceful protestors. Hundreds have been killed and thousands detained. At the same time, the lead opposition to the Burmese military, the National League for Democracy, is facing further repression. NLD members have been rounded up and charged with baseless crimes, including NLD's leader, Aung San Suu Kyi.
Madam Speaker, that is why I am asking my colleagues to join me today in supporting this resolution. I really want to thank the chairman and Mr. Connolly of Virginia for bringing this bill forward, to make it clear that the United States of America condemns this coup. It encourages engagement with southeast nations to promote Burma's return to democracy.
Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support it, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. MEEKS. Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Connolly), an esteemed member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and author of this important bill.
Mr. CONNOLLY. Madam Speaker, I thank my distinguished friend for the wonderful work he is doing as our new chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. And I thank my friend, Mr. McCaul, the distinguished ranking member.
Madam Speaker, this is an important bipartisan statement. Lives are at stake. It is urgent this House speak with one voice about what is happening in Myanmar, formerly Burma. The current crisis in the wake of a military coup in which violence is escalating by the day and protestors are being killed by the dozens demands a timely response.
I was pleased to introduce this bill in collaboration with the House Democracy Partnership chairman, Mr. David Price, and our Republican colleague, Mr. Vern Buchanan of Florida.
On February 1, the Burmese military seized control of Burma's Government in a coup d'etat by detaining democratically elected leaders from the National League of Democracy, NLD, just hours before the country's new parliament was set to meet for its first session. And that was following an overwhelming election result in that country.
Among those detained were State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi; President U Win Myint; and other senior NLD leaders. In one fell swoop, the military plunged this national democracy into renewed political turmoil just as it was emerging from five decades of military rule and isolation.
In 2015, more than 30 million voters elected the NLD and its leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, to power in the country's first general election.
The country's first peaceful transfer of power from military rule to a civilian government was celebrated around the world. Pictures of voters proudly raising their ink-stained fingers after the voting in the country's 2015 and 2020 elections had been replaced tragically by images of anger and tears and bloodshed.
The military takeover has jeopardized hard-won progress on everything, from infrastructure or education investments to the country's fragile peace process. It seeks to snuff out the hopes of the Burmese people for a better future.
At least 149 people, including children, have been killed by the security forces. Mass funerals have been conducted all across the country. More than 2,100 individuals--civilians, students, journalists, unionists--have been detained. Millions have poured onto the streets all across Burma to demand a return to democracy, putting themselves at grave risk for the sake of their own freedom.
A civil disobedience movement has emerged with medics, bankers, lawyers, teachers, engineers, factory workers, students, leaving their jobs and their study as a form of resistance against the coup. Despite military orders to shoot to kill, they have not backed down.
While we cannot be on the streets of Yangon or Mandalay or Nay Pyi Taw, we must stand in solidarity with those brave people in their peaceful protests against this coup.
That is what this bill seeks to do. The Protect Democracy in Burma Act would establish that it is the policy of the United States Government to engage with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and their member states to condemn the coup, urge unconditional release of detained leaders and civil society members, and support the immediate return to a democratic transition. It instructs the United States Government to use its voice, vote, and influence in the U.N. to hold accountable those responsible for this coup.
Finally, the legislation states, as the sense of Congress, that the Burmese military has effectively nullified its participation with the House Democracy Partnership--a partnership here at the House that has been in place for the past 5 years.
Madam Speaker, I was privileged, along with our chairman, Mr. Price, to travel to Burma and meet with Aung San Suu Kyi as part of that partnership delegation back in 2016, a visit that reinforced our commitment to supporting Burma's democratization and development. The Burmese military must respect the results of democratic elections and allow the democratic transition in Burma to continue.
Madam Speaker, with this bill, with one voice, Congress will send a clear signal to the military junta that its unlawful seizure of power will not be accepted and there will be hope for the Burmese people.
Mr. McCAUL. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Tenney).
Ms. TENNEY. Madam Speaker, I thank the chairman and the ranking member for their leadership.
Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1112 and H. Res. 134. Both of these bills support democracy and stand with the people of Burma, also known as Myanmar.
New York's 22nd District is home to more than 4,000 Burmese refugees and new Burmese-American citizens. They have been coming to our region for over 20 years. They are demanding action and a return to civilian rule in Burma. I stand with them and all of my colleagues in condemning the atrocious human rights abuses that are taking place at the hands of the military coup last month.
I am honored to be an original cosponsor on both of these bills on Burma as a member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, where they received strong bipartisan support. Though these bills will not solve the problem in Burma, this will provide continued pressure on the military and a strong unified international condemnation will add to that. However, these bills are a very important step in the right direction.
The Burmese refugees and American citizens I represent in New York's 22nd District remain resolute in support of their friends and families who are suffering through this tragic process. In Utica, for example, they continue to advocate peacefully and protest in solidarity with those in their home country, displaying signs that read: ``Save Democracy, Save Burma.''
The passion and courage of the Burmese people both in my district and in Burma is inspiring. I am honored to provide a voice for them in this august body.
Madam Speaker, I urge all to remain committed to the Burmese people's quest for democracy and to oppose the assault on their free and fair government.
Again, I thank Chairman Meeks, Ranking Member McCaul, and the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Connolly) for being so strong on this initiative. It is critically important to the Burmese refugees in my community.
To the citizens: We stand with you.
Mr. MEEKS. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Price), the distinguished chairman of the House Democracy Partnership.
Mr. PRICE of North Carolina. Madam Speaker, I am proud to advocate the passage of H.R. 1112, the Protect Democracy in Burma Act; and H. Res. 134, a resolution condemning the military coup taking place in Burma.
I commend Chairman Meeks and Ranking Member McCaul for their leadership. As chairman of the House Democracy Partnership, I am happy to work alongside Representative Connolly to champion this bill, and I commend Representative Levin for his good work, as well.
What is going on in Burma demands action. The very foundation of Burmese democracy and, consequently, the country's international standing now hang in the balance as a result of the Burmese military's reckless action. The situation is deteriorating rapidly, with Burmese military and security forces violently attacking and rounding up peaceful protestors, civil servants, community leaders, journalists, and even emergency medical personnel. The death toll is now estimated at 200.
The democratically elected Government of Burma, to be sure, had serious flaws, but it had made significant progress in improving the lives of Burmese citizens. The House Democracy Partnership had begun to work with the democratically elected parliament, as had the National Democratic Institute. The International Republican Institute had begun to work on local governance. That progress must be consolidated, built on, and expanded, not washed away by the greed of a few generals in fear of losing their wealth, losing the control they exercise at the expense of the Burmese people.
I strongly support the Biden administration's decision to place sanctions on senior military leaders and military-owned businesses. The economic and political pressure must be intense.
We must do more, including working with our friends and allies in the region, particularly members of the ASEAN community, to keep up the drumbeat, to keep up the pressure, for the junta to step down and to restore the democratically elected government.
We must do all we can, and time is not on our side. These two bills are a beginning. They signify a unified and urgent sense on the part of the House that this coup simply must be reversed and democratic government restored in Burma.
Madam Speaker, I am proud to stand with colleagues today in solidarity, and I urge support of these two bills.
Mr. McCAUL. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. MEEKS. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the esteemed gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee).
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, I thank the distinguished chairman for his leadership, and I thank the ranking member as well.
Madam Speaker, I stand here today to recognize the hardworking Burmese Americans who are here, who are fighting every day for their friends and their relatives in their native land.
On February 1, 2021, hours before the Burmese Parliament was to convene in a new session, Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader of the Burma ruling party; and President Win Myint, the duly-elected head of government, were deposed in a military coup.
How shameful.
As that coup was done, violence prevailed. And as violence prevailed, people lost their lives.
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This is a worthy act of condemnation. I also support H. Res. 134, the resolution condemning the coup in Burma, and condemning the still detaining of Aung San Suu Kyi to her place of residence. She is in danger.
So I rise today to support H.R. 1112, which declares: ``It is the policy of the United States to instruct, as appropriate, representatives of the United States Government to use the voice, vote, and influence of the United States at the United Nations to hold accountable those responsible for the military coup in Burma.''
The legislation also directs that not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this act that Congress gets a report from the Secretary of State as relates to the military coup in Burma, and provide a description of the efforts taken by the United States to help the people of Burma restore their democratic form of government.
I want to cite a constituent in my district--first of all, the people from Burma who have been generous in their help of Houstonians, their fellow Houstonians, in Hurricane Harvey, in the freeze, in COVID-19--
Mr. Mouton, who has provided resources to all of the people in the area representing the community of those from Burma. He has been generous in his support when people have been in need. That is what people from Burma here in the United States do.
So this statement that we are making is to say that we are standing with the freedom fighters. We are standing with those who believe in democracy.
And I want to salute the Parliament. The Parliament and the duly elected members of the Burmese Parliament who have taken it upon themselves to continue serving as representatives of the people through alternative methods of communicating and convening is courageous and laudable and inspires the respect of freedom-loving people everywhere.
It is our goal, as we stand on the floor of the House, for the American peoples' voices to be heard through H.R. 1112, the Protect Democracy in Burma Act of 2021, and H. Res. 134, the resolution condemning the coup in Burma, and to support the American-Burmese community.
Madam Speaker, as a senior member of the Committee on the Judiciary and the Member of Congress for the Eighteenth Congressional District of Texas, the home of a large and vibrant Burmese community, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1112, the ``Protect Democracy In Burma Act of 2021,'' which condemns the military coup in Burma and calls for the unconditional release of detained democratically-elected leaders and civil society members and declares it the policy of the United States to support a return to Burma's democratic transition.
Madam Speaker, on February 1, 2021, hours before Burmese Parliament was to convene in a new session Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader of Burma's ruling party, and President Win Myint, the duly elected head of government, were deposed in a military coup on February 1, 2021.
As part of the military coup, the Burmese military declared martial law, suspended the civilian led government, and detained newly elected Members of Parliament in the capitol, Naypyidaw, thereby usurping the role of the democratically elected government and parliament.
The inability of newly elected Members of Parliament to begin their official mandate due to the Burmese military's actions directly threatens the democratic trajectory of Burma's Parliament, and thereby the country.
By preventing the Parliament from completing its work, the Burmese military has rendered impossible and effectively nullified the international collaborative relationships that have supported and strengthened the institution, including the Burmese parliament's partnership with HDP.
Because of the Burmese military's seizure of government through the detention of State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, President Win Myint, and other government leaders, Burma is not represented by a democratically-elected government.
Madam Speaker, H.R. 1112 declares it to be the policy of the United States to instruct, as appropriate, representatives of the United States Government to use the voice, vote, and influence of the United States at the United Nations to hold accountable those responsible for the military coup in Burma.
The legislation also directs the representatives of the United States Government to engage with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
(ASEAN) and ASEAN member states to promote a return to Burma's democratic transition and democratic values throughout Southeast Asia and support the centrality of ASEAN within the regional architecture of the Indo-Pacific.
Finally, the legislation directs that not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate a report on the military coup in Burma and a description of efforts taken by the United States to help the people of Burma restore their democratic form of government.
Madam Speaker, the will and determination of those duly elected Members of the Burmese Parliament who are taking it upon themselves to continue serving as representatives of the people through alternative methods of communicating and convening is courageous, laudable, and inspires the respect of freedom loving people everywhere.
That is why I strongly support H.R. 1112, the ``Protect Democracy in Burma Act of 2021,'' and urge my colleagues to join me in voting for its passage.
Mr. McCAUL. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, Members across the aisle share the same concerns about Burma's military coup, and the brutal human rights violations it has caused. This bill ensures that the United States of America's condemnation of this coup is a matter of record, and it asks the administration to report to Congress on this critical issue.
Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this measure, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. MEEKS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume for the purpose of closing.
Madam Speaker, again, I want to thank Mr. Connolly for introducing this legislation, and I want to thank Ranking Member McCaul and my colleagues on the other side of the aisle for making sure that we have a singular voice going forward.
The world cannot turn a blind eye to the violence perpetrated by the Burmese military. With this important measure, the United States sends a clear signal that we stand with the people of Burma in their longstanding pursuit for democracy, and a strong message to the Burmese military, or to anyone, for that matter, who fail to uphold the will of the people.
Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from New York (Mr. Meeks) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 1112, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 51
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