[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 126 (Monday, July 19, 2021)]
[House]
[Pages H3650-H3651]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
REFUGEE SANITATION FACILITY SAFETY ACT OF 2021
Ms. HOULAHAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 1158) to provide women and girls safe access to sanitation
facilities in refugee camps.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 1158
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 ``Refugee Sanitation Facility
Safety Act of 2021''.
SEC. 2. SECURE ACCESS TO SANITATION FACILITIES FOR WOMEN AND
GIRLS.
Subsection (a) of section 501 of the Foreign Relations
Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1994 and 1995 (22 U.S.C. 2601
note) is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (6) through (11) as
paragraphs (7) through (12), respectively; and
(2) by inserting after paragraph (5) the following new
paragraph:
``(6) the provision of safe and secure access to sanitation
facilities, with a special emphasis on women, girls, and
vulnerable populations.''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from
Pennsylvania (Ms. Houlahan) and the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr.
Smith) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Pennsylvania.
General Leave
Ms. HOULAHAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks
and include extraneous material on H.R. 1158.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlewoman from Pennsylvania?
There was no objection.
Ms. HOULAHAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 1158, the Refugee
Sanitation Facility Safety Act of 2021.
Mr. Speaker, according to the U.N. High Commission for Refugees, by
the end of 2020, there were at least 26 million people worldwide living
as refugees, the highest number ever recorded.
As people who have been forced to flee their home countries because
of persecution or because of violence, refugees are amongst the globe's
most vulnerable populations. To make matters worse, these people must
often settle in areas that are inadequate in terms of necessities such
as access to water, shelter, and sanitation.
Simply put, the conditions that refugees regularly endure are
unacceptable. People should not have to surrender their access to
sanitation in exchange for their own safety.
That is why I support the Refugee Sanitation Facility Safety Act.
This bill would ensure that refugees have safe and secure access to
sanitation facilities, with a special emphasis on women, girls, and the
most vulnerable populations.
By providing for safe and secure sanitation facilities, this bill
will not only improve the health and safety of tens of millions living
in refugee settlements, but it will also allow these same people to
focus more of their energy and ingenuity into rebuilding their lives.
I thank my colleague from New York, Representative Grace Meng, a
tireless champion for the rights of vulnerable people, women, and
girls, for authoring this legislation.
I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance
of my time.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Refugee Sanitation Facility
Safety Act.
I commend my colleagues, Representative Meng and Chairman Meeks, for
their work on this issue.
Around the world, we are seeing unprecedented levels of displacement
due to conflict and humanitarian disasters. Unfortunately, many of
these crises have gone on for many years, even decades, like we have
seen in South Sudan.
I would just note, parenthetically, my good friend Karen Bass and I
have been to refugee camps throughout Africa and have seen the great
work that is done by the United States, working with the UNHCR and
other international organizations, literally saving people who
otherwise would die of starvation or sickness, so what a great
humanitarian effort made by this country and by others, including the
UNHCR.
I would point out to my colleagues that new emergencies, like
Ethiopia and the growing instability in Afghanistan, have stretched the
capabilities of the United Nations and the international community. The
COVID-19 pandemic, as it surges in much of the developing world, is
only making these crises worse. Lack of access to clean water and
cramped living conditions continues to hamper prevention efforts.
A generation of young people is growing up knowing only life in a
refugee camp. The conditions in many of these camps around the world
are dire and particularly dangerous for vulnerable populations, such as
women and children.
This bill ensures support for safe sanitation facilities for refugees
and displaced persons living in camps around the world.
The U.S. continues to be the largest donor to refugees and displaced
persons around the world. That has been a historical fact no matter who
was in the White House, speaking to the humanitarian beliefs of this
country to care for those who are at risk and who are vulnerable.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the legislation, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. HOULAHAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume
for the purpose of closing.
Mr. Speaker, this is lifesaving legislation. By helping ensure that
women and children, who make up the majority of refugees around the
world, have access to safe and secure sanitation facilities, this body
will dramatically improve the health and quality of life of millions of
people who have already suffered so much.
Again, I thank my friend, Congresswoman Meng, for introducing this
invaluable legislation. I urge my colleagues to give it their full
support, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentlewoman from Pennsylvania (Ms. Houlahan) that the House suspend the
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 1158.
[[Page H3651]]
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. MILLER of Illinois. 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.
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