[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 112 (Monday, June 28, 2021)]
[House]
[Pages H3179-H3183]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HAITI DEVELOPMENT, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND INSTITUTIONAL TRANSPARENCY
INITIATIVE ACT
Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill
(H.R. 2471) to measure the progress of post-disaster recovery and
efforts to address corruption, governance, rule of law, and media
freedoms in Haiti, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
[[Page H3180]]
H.R. 2471
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 ``Haiti Development,
Accountability, and Institutional Transparency Initiative
Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) On January 12, 2010, a massive earthquake struck near
the Haitian capital city of Port-au-Prince, leaving at least
220,000 people dead, including 103 United States citizens,
101 United Nations personnel, and nearly 18 percent of
Haiti's civil service, as well as 300,000 injured, 115,000
homes destroyed, and 1,500,000 Haitians displaced.
(2) The international community, led by the United States
and the United Nations, mounted an unprecedented humanitarian
response to the earthquake in Haiti. Through 2018, more than
8,000,000,000 has been disbursed by donors. Since the 2010
earthquake, the United States Government has disbursed more
than 4,000,000,000 in recovery and development funding.
(3) On October 4, 2016, Hurricane Matthew struck
southwestern Haiti on the Tiburon Peninsula, causing
widespread damage and flooding and leaving 1.4 million people
in need of immediate assistance. Recovery efforts continue
more than four years later.
(4) Prior to both the 2010 earthquake and 2016 hurricane,
Haiti registered among the lowest in socioeconomic indicators
and had the second highest rate of income disparity in the
world--conditions that have further complicated disaster
recovery and resilience efforts. As of November 2020,
4,400,000 people were in need of humanitarian assistance in
Haiti.
(5) Since 2018, tens of thousands of Haitians have
participated in popular demonstrations demanding
accountability over government manage-merit of Petrocaribe
resources. In early 2019, the Haitian superior court of
auditors released a series of reports implicating high-level
government officials in the misappropriation of funds.
(6) The United Nations Human Rights Office of the High
Commissioner and the Human Rights Service jointly found a 333
percent increase in human rights violations and abuses
against the rights of life and security in Haiti from July
2018 through December 2019. There were 131 violations in 2018
and 567 violations in 2019, including the shooting of at
least five Haitian journalists covering the protests.
(7) Leading members of civil society have faced attacks,
including Monferrier Dorval, a constitutional law expert and
president of the Port-au-Prince bar who was killed on August
28, 2020.
(8) On November 13, 2018, according to the Haitian National
Human Rights Defense Network, at least 71 people were killed
and 18 people were raped in the Port-au-Prince neighborhood
of La Saline.
(9) On December 10, 2020, the Department of the Treasury's
Office of Foreign Assets Control designated former Haitian
National Police officer Jimmy Cherizier, former Director
General of the Ministry of the Interior Fednel Monchery, and
former Departmental Delegate Joseph Pierre Richard Duplan
pursuant to the Global Magnitsky Executive Order for being
foreign persons responsible for or complicit in, or having
directly or indirectly engaged in, serious human rights abuse
for their connection to the La Saline massacre.
(10) Following the La Saline massacre, similar attacks have
occurred in Port-au-Prince neighborhoods, including the
November 2019 and August 2020 attacks on Bel Air, in which 24
people were killed and hundreds of families were displaced.
(11) Parliamentary elections scheduled for October 2019 did
not take place, and since January 13, 2020, President Jovenel
Moise has ruled by decree. The United States and
international community have urged President Moise to limit
the use of executive decrees during this period and have ex-
pressed concern over several decrees issued, including those
creating the National Intelligence Agency and appointing
three new judges to the Supreme Court outside of
constitutional procedures. Haitian civil society
organizations have denounced the president's use of decrees
as an attempt to consolidate power.
(12) Due to institutional weakness and other challenges
exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, Haiti's economy
contracted by an estimated 4 percent in 2020 and inflation
neared 20 percent. Although there has been no parliament in
place since January 2020, the Haitian Government approved a
budget on September 30, 2020. However, the delay prevented
the International Monetary Fund and other multilaterals from
disbursing millions in international assistance.
(13) In September 2020, President Moise bypassed the
Supreme Court to appoint a Provisional Electoral Council
(CEP) by executive decree Several civil society groups that
traditionally participate in Haiti's electoral councils
criticized the decision and have declined to be represented
in the CEP.
(14) The Moise administration lacks the credibility to
oversee a proposed constitutional referendum scheduled for
June 2021, which legal experts consider unconstitutional.
(15) There are concerns that, given the lack of democratic
checks and balances, the dispute over the credibility of the
electoral council, and the deteriorating security situation,
elections scheduled for September 2021 will not be free or
fair. Additionally, the security situation remains volatile
and on February 7, 2021, President Moise alleged that a coup
had been attempted against him leading to 23 arrests and the
forced retirement of three Supreme Court judges.
SEC. 3. STATEMENT OF POLICY.
It is the policy of the United States to support the
sustainable rebuilding and development of Haiti in a manner
that--
(1) recognizes Haitian independence, self-reliance,
sovereignty, democratic governance, and efficiency;
(2) promotes efforts that are led by and support the people
and Government of Haiti at all levels so that Haitians lead
the course of reconstruction and development of Haiti;
(3) builds the long-term capacity of the Government of
Haiti, civil society in Haiti, and the private sector to
foster economic opportunities in Haiti;
(4) fosters collaboration between the Haitian di-aspora in
the United States, including dual citizens of Haiti and the
United States, with the Haitian Government and the business
community in Haiti;
(5) supports anti-corruption efforts, promotes press
freedom, and addresses human rights concerns, including
through the enforcement of sanctions imposed in accordance
with the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act on
individuals implicated in human rights violations;
(6) respects and helps restore Haiti's natural resources,
as well as strengthens community-level resilience to
environmental and weather-related impacts;
(7) promotes the holding of free, fair, and timely
elections in accordance with democratic principles and the
Haitian Constitution;
(8) provides timely and comprehensive reporting on Haiti
and the United States Government's goals and progress, as
well as transparent post program evaluations and contracting
data;
(9) promotes the participation of Haitian women and youth
in governmental and nongovernmental institutions and in
economic development and governance assistance programs
funded by the United States; and
(10) does not provide support to facilitate the proposed
June 2021 constitutional referendum, including through
multilateral organizations.
SEC. 4. STRENGTHENING HUMAN RIGHTS AND ANTICORRUPTION EFFORTS
IN HAITI AND HOLDING PERPETRATORS OF THE LA
SALINE MASSACRE ACCOUNTABLE.
(a) Secretary of State Prioritization.--The Secretary of
State shall prioritize the protection of human rights and
anticorruption efforts in Haiti by the following methods:
(1) Fostering strong relationships with independent civil
society groups focused on monitoring corruption and human
rights abuses and promoting democracy in Haiti.
(2) Supporting the efforts of the Haitian Government to
identify persons involved in human rights violations and
significant acts of corruption in Haiti, including public and
private sector actors, and hold them accountable for their
actions.
(3) Addressing concerns of impunity for the alleged
perpetrators, as well as the intellectual authors, of the La
Saline massacre.
(4) Urging authorities to continue to investigate attacks
in the La Saline and Bel Air neighborhoods from 2018 through
2021 that left dozens dead in order to bring the perpetrators
to justice.
(b) Briefing.--
(1) Elements.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall brief
the appropriate congressional committees on the happenings on
November 13, 2018, in the Port-au-Prince neighborhood of La
Saline, and its aftermath. The briefing shall include--
(A) an examination of any links between the massacre in La
Saline and mass protests that occurred concurrently in the
country;
(B) an analysis of the reports on the La Saline massacre
authored by the United Nations, the European Union, and the
Government of Haiti;
(C) a detailed description of all known perpetrators, as
well as the intellectual authors, of the shootings;
(D) an overview of efforts taken by the Haitian Government
to bring the perpetrators, as well as the intellectual
authors, of the La Saline massacre to justice and to prevent
other similar attacks; and
(E) an assessment of the ensuing treatment and displacement
of the survivors of the La Saline massacre.
(2) Consultation.--In the briefing required under paragraph
(1), the Secretary of State shall consult with
nongovernmental organizations in Haiti and the United States.
SEC. 5. ACTIONS TO PROMOTE FREEDOM OF THE PRESS AND ASSEMBLY
IN HAITI.
The Secretary of State shall prioritize the promotion of
freedom of the press and freedom of assembly, as well as the
protection of journalists in Haiti by the following methods:
(1) Advocating to Haitian authorities for increased
protection for journalists and the press and for the freedom
to peacefully assemble or protest in Haiti.
(2) Collaborating with government officials and
representatives of civil society to develop and implement
legal protections for journalists in Haiti.
(3) Supporting efforts to strengthen transparency in
Haiti's public and private sectors, as well as access to
information in Haiti.
[[Page H3181]]
(4) Supporting efforts to strengthen the capacity of
independent journalists and increase access to resources for
investigative journalism.
SEC. 6. ACTIONS TO SUPPORT POST-EARTHQUAKE, POST-HURRICANE
AND POST-COVID-19 RECOVERY AND DEVELOPMENT IN
HAITI.
The Secretary of State, in coordination with the
Administrator of the United States Agency for International
Development (USAID), shall prioritize post-earthquake and
post-hurricane recovery and development efforts in Haiti by
the following methods:
(1) Collaborating with the Haitian Government on a detailed
and transparent development plan that includes clear
objectives and benchmarks.
(2) Building the capacity of Haitian-led public, private,
and nongovernmental sector institutions in Haiti through
post-earthquake and post-hurricane recovery and development
planning.
(3) Assessing the impact of both the United States' and the
international community's recovery and development efforts in
Haiti since January 2010.
(4) Supporting disaster resilience and reconstruction
efforts.
(5) Addressing the underlying causes of poverty and
inequality, and improving access to health resources, clean
water, food, and shelter.
(6) Assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on post-
disaster recovery efforts and evaluating United States
support to help with pandemic response efforts in Haiti,
including providing technical assistance and preventing other
infectious disease outbreaks.
SEC. 7. REPORT.
(a) Report Content.--Not later than 180 days after the date
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in
coordination with the Administrator of the United States
Agency for International Development, and other relevant
agencies and departments, shall submit to the appropriate
congressional committees a report that includes--
(1) a strategy for carrying out the initiatives described
in sections 4, 5, and 6, including established baselines,
benchmarks, and indicators to measure outcomes and impact;
(2) an assessment of major corruption committed among the
public and private sectors, and, as practical and
appropriate, an assessment of corruption prosecutions
investigated by the Haitian judiciary since January 2015;
(3) an overview of efforts taken by the Haitian Government
to address corruption, including the Petrocaribe scandal, and
corrective measures to strengthen and restore trust in
Haiti's public institutions;
(4) a description of United States Government efforts to
consult and engage with Haitian Government officials and
independent civil society groups focused on monitoring
corruption and human rights abuses and promoting democracy
and press freedom in Haiti since January 2015;
(5) a description of the Haitian Government's response to
civic protests that have taken place since July 2018 and any
allegations of human rights abuses, including attacks on
journalists;
(6) an assessment of United States security assistance to
Haiti, including the United States support to the Haitian
National Police and an assessment of compliance with section
620M of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2378d)
and section 362 of title 10, United States Code (commonly
referred to as the ``Leahy Laws'');
(7) a description of the Haitian Government's efforts to
support displaced survivors of urban and gang violence;
(8) an assessment of the impact of presidential decrees on
the health of Haiti's democratic institutions and
safeguarding of human rights, including reducing the
authority of the Superior Court of Accounts and
Administrative Litigation, promulgating an antiterrorism law,
and establishing the National Intelligence Agency, as well as
retiring and subsequently appointing judges to the Supreme
Court of Haiti;
(9) a plan in collaboration with the Haitian Government on
efforts to support development goals since January 2015,
including steps taken to--
(A) strengthen institutions at the national and local
levels; and
(B) strengthen democratic governance at the national and
local levels;
(10) an analysis of the effectiveness and sustainability of
United States-financed development projects, including the
Caracol Industrial Park and supporting infrastructure;
(11) a breakdown of procurement from Haitian small- and
medium-sized businesses and nongovernmental organizations by
the United States and Haitian governments for development and
humanitarian activities by year since 2015, and a description
of efforts to increase local procurement, including food aid;
(12) a description of United States efforts taken since
January 2010 to assist the Haitian people in their pursuits
for free, fair, and timely democratic elections;
(13) quantitative and qualitative indicators to assess
progress and benchmarks for United States initiatives focused
on sustainable development in Haiti, including democracy
assistance, economic revitalization, natural disaster
recovery, pandemic response, resilience, energy and
infrastructure, health, and food security; and
(14) a risk assessment of conflict, instability, and
violence in Haiti that includes information relating to--
(A) systemic patterns and causes of violence and subsequent
impunity relating to massacres, death threats, kidnappings,
armed attacks, and firearm-related violence, with analysis of
the roles of the various actors and beneficiaries who play a
part, including Haitain Government actors;
(B) gang activity and its role in the recent wave of
kidnappings and the capacities of the police force to address
the most serious manifestations of insecurity;
(C) the scope and role of criminal activity and its
linkages to political forces, particularly leading up to
elections; and
(D) implications of the lack of independence of Haiti's
judicial system.
(b) Consultation.--In preparing the report required under
subsection (a), the Secretary of State and the USAID
Administrator shall consult with nongovernmental
organizations and civil society groups in Haiti and the
United States, as well as the Government of Haiti where
appropriate.
(c) Public Availability.--The report required under
subsection (a) shall be made publicly available on the
website of the Department of State.
SEC. 8. SUNSET.
(a) Repeal.--The Assessing Progress in Haiti Act (22 U.S.C.
2151n; Public Law 113-162) is repealed.
(b) Termination.--This Act shall terminate on December 31,
2025.
SEC. 9. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act the term ``appropriate congressional
committees'' means--
(1) the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on
Appropriations of the House of Representatives; and
(2) the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on
Appropriations of the Senate.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New
York (Mr. Meeks) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Pfluger) each will
control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York.
General Leave
Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have
5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and
include extraneous material on H.R. 2471, as amended.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from New York?
There was no objection.
Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2471, the Haiti
Development, Accountability, and Institutional Transparency Initiative
Act.
I thank my friend, Mr. Jeffries, for authoring this bipartisan bill.
Mr. Jeffries has been a strong advocate for the Haitian people, and I
thank him for his friendship and leadership on this very important
issue.
On January 12, 2010, a magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck Haiti with an
epicenter just a few miles west of Port-au-Prince. This devastating
natural disaster killed more than 200,000 people, displaced 1.5 million
Haitians, and caused billions of dollars in damages.
Mr. Speaker, I stand here today with the same message my colleagues
and I delivered to the Haitian people 11 years ago: The United States
remains steadfast in our commitment to help Haiti however we can.
Over the last decade, Congress has worked closely with the Haitian-
American diaspora, the Haitian people, the Haitian Government to
support rebuilding and development efforts on the island.
Unfortunately, after Hurricane Matthew devastated Haiti in 2016, the
country faced another humanitarian crisis, and additional rebuilding
and development plans were needed.
{time} 1615
Sadly, Haiti still has a long way to go. The Haiti Development,
Accountability, and Institutional Transparency Initiative Act evaluates
the effectiveness of U.S. recovery and development efforts in Haiti
over the past 10 years and devises strategies to promote the rule of
law, encourage freedom of the press, combat government corruption,
address the root causes of poverty, and improve development efforts.
Helping to pave the pathway to a reconstructed, prosperous Haiti, of
course, is a two-way street. We must learn from our mistakes over the
past 10 years and devise innovative solutions for any roadblocks that
lie ahead.
At the same time, it is imperative that the Haitian Government
address the growing and legitimate concerns about the country's
deteriorating human rights situation, spiraling gang violence, and
often-seen impunity for corrupt officials.
[[Page H3182]]
It is the duty of all of us here in Congress to stand with the
Haitian people as they demand a safe, prosperous, and democratic Haiti.
I urge the Haitian Government to do all they can to engage with their
citizens and truly listen to their concerns.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that the House Foreign Affairs Committee
passed this bipartisan bill unanimously, and I urge my colleagues to
join me in supporting its passage on the House floor today.
Again, I thank my real friend, Mr. Jeffries, for being such a great
champion for Haiti. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation,
and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. PFLUGER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, the people of Haiti continue to suffer from devastating
natural disasters, political instability, and fragile public
institutions. The country has never recovered from the 2010 earthquake
or the damage caused by Hurricane Matthew in 2016.
With their economy unable to recover, Haiti remains the poorest
country in the Western Hemisphere. As a result, the lack of economic
opportunity has led to an increase in crime and gang violence. At the
same time, civil unrest caused by political instability plagues the
island nation.
There are credible accusations of systemic government corruption and
human rights abuses, and Haiti is facing a constitutional crisis after
failing to organize legislative elections in 2019; meaning, the country
has no sitting Parliament at this time.
We continue to strongly urge the Government of Haiti to hold free and
fair elections that reflect the will of the Haitian people.
All of these challenges are now compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic.
That is why I support the Haiti Development, Accountability, and
Institutional Transparency Initiative Act. This legislation requires
the State Department to assess how effective U.S. assistance is in
helping Haiti's recovery efforts.
Haiti remains the second largest recipient of U.S. support in the
region. Since 2011, American taxpayers have sent nearly $1.9 billion to
assist them with economic development and to support expanding their
democracy. It is our responsibility in this Congress to ensure that
this money is, in fact, being spent wisely.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve
the balance of my time.
Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from
California (Ms. Jacobs), a valued member of the House Foreign Affairs
Committee.
Ms. JACOBS of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in
support of H.R. 2471, the Haiti Development, Accountability, and
Institutional Transparency Initiative Act. I thank Congressman Jeffries
for his leadership in offering this important piece of legislation that
will ensure that we take stock of U.S. policy in Haiti and measure our
progress in addressing corruption, improving governance, and advancing
the rule of law.
Haiti is facing one of its worst outbreaks of violence since 1986.
This has had a devastating impact on the Haitian people and threatened
any long-term progress we have made. We have seen this movie before.
Instead of continuing the same approach and hoping for a different
outcome, it is critical that as we are conducting our long-overdue
review of policy, we are analyzing the drivers and risks of conflict,
instability, and violence in Haiti.
This bill sets out to do just that and more. The amendment I offered
in committee requires the State Department and USAID to conduct an
assessment of conflict, instability, and violence in Haiti, analyzing
the systemic patterns and causes of violence and the role of actors and
beneficiaries who play a part.
This bill also makes sure that State and USAID are consulting with
NGOs and civil society groups in Haiti, a critical step that is often
overlooked.
As someone who has worked in conflict stabilization at the State
Department, I know how important it is that we understand the root
causes of violence in order to craft sound policy and make decisions on
where to focus our foreign assistance. This bill would ensure our
review of U.S. policy in Haiti takes this important step.
Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support this bill.
Mr. PFLUGER. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, it is true that Haiti continues to face significant
challenges. Yet, I remain optimistic that we can partner with the
Haitian people and play a constructive role in the coming critical
years of Haiti's recovery. And while we must continue our unwavering
support for Haiti, we also must be open to making adjustments moving
forward.
By increasing cooperation and being open to new ideas, I am confident
that we can support the Haitian people as they seek peace, stability,
an end to poverty, and a fully functioning democracy.
We know this is not going to be easy, but we have to stand by the
Haitian people and make sure that they have an opportunity to have a
better tomorrow, for surely, they deserve it.
Mr. Speaker, let me finally thank, again, Representative Jeffries for
authoring this piece of legislation. It is very important, and I know
that he has a large portion of the Haitian diaspora in his district, as
it is in New York in mine and Representative Clarke's and, of course,
in Florida.
We will stand by the Haitian people, not giving up hope, not giving
up trust, imploring the Government of Haiti to do the right thing for
the people of Haiti by having elections that are free and fair.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to voice my support for H.R.
2471, the ``Haiti Development, Accountability, and Institutional
Transparency Initiative Act,'' which modernizes the U.S. foreign
assistance strategy to Haiti, and affirms our role as a champion of
democracy and good neighbor in the Western Hemisphere.
This legislation, introduced by my colleague, the gentleman from New
York, Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, would promote transparency within
Haitian humanitarian assistance programs, and place democratic values
such as good governance, freedom of the press, and human rights at the
forefront of our bilateral relationship with Haiti.
Since the catastrophic earthquake on January 12, 2010, which left
220,000 people dead, 300,000 injured, and 115,000 homes destroyed, the
United States--in partnership with the international community--mounted
an unprecedented humanitarian response.
The United States Government has disbursed more than $4,000,000,000
in recovery and development funding since the disaster struck in 2010.
In 2016, Hurricane Matthew caused widespread damage and flooding,
leaving 1.4 million people in need of immediate assistance.
Prior to these catastrophes, Haiti registered among the lowest in
socioeconomic indicators and had the second highest rate of income
disparity in the world.
Concurrently, democratic backsliding in Haiti undercuts the shared
commitment to democracy in our bilateral relationship and stymies our
effort to ensure that humanitarian aid is reaching and improving the
welfare of the Haitian people.
The United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner and
the Human Rights Service jointly found a 333 percent increase in human
rights violations and abuses from July 2018 through December 2019.
On top of that, parliamentary elections scheduled for October 2019
never took place, and since January 2020, President Jovenel Moise has
ruled by decree.
As an original co-sponsor of H.R. 3059, the ``Assessing Progress in
Haiti, Act of 2013,'' I maintain an unshaking belief in the Haitian
people's resilience, entrepreneurial spirit, and desire for a free and
fair political system.
That is why I also staunchly opposed the former president's attempt
to terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians living in
the United States.
In tandem with the U.S. Government, Haiti relies on remittances that
its citizens receive from TPS beneficiaries in the United States.
The Haitian community in Texas exemplifies this reality.
As such, I am pleased that Secretary Mayorkas announced a new 18-
month designation of Haiti for Temporary Protected Status.
Following Hurricane Matthew, I called upon Houstonians to do their
part in alleviating the suffering of our neighbors in Haiti.
In partnership with local organizations, churches, and the diaspora
community, we collected and donated clothing, pillows, nonperishable
foods, and other items to help the Haitian people.
[[Page H3183]]
Now, I call upon this Congress to answer the call of help--to act in
accordance with our long-standing record of supporting the Haitian
people in recovering and building a future worthy of their aspirations.
The ``Haiti Development, Accountability, and Institutional
Transparency Initiative Act'' is our response to this call for help.
H.R. 2471--a bicameral and bipartisan effort--urgently upgrades our
U.S. foreign assistance strategy and strengthens human rights, promotes
freedom of the press, and supports disaster resilience and
reconstruction efforts in Haiti.
I commend my colleagues, particularly the gentleman from New York,
Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, for shining a light on this issue, and
remaining firm in our commitment to the Haitian people.
Let us, with one voice, irrespective of party, come together and
affirm our role as a bulwark of democracy in the world and good
neighbor in the hemisphere.
I urge all Members to join me in voting for this long overdue but
enormously beneficial legislation.
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. 2471, as amended.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mrs. GREENE of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and
nays.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to section 3(s) of House Resolution
8, the yeas and nays are ordered.
Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further proceedings on this motion
are postponed.
____________________