[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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