[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 51 (Thursday, March 18, 2021)]
[House]
[Pages H1560-H1563]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 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

[[Page H1561]]

     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.

                              {time}  1545

  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.

[[Page H1562]]

  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.

                              {time}  1600

  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

[[Page H1563]]

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.

                          ____________________