[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 20 (Tuesday, February 1, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Pages S423-S424]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                                 Burma

  Mr. President, on an entirely different matter, today marks 1 year 
since the people of Burma yet again had their future hijacked by a 
military coup. Since this time last year, the Tatmadaw--which is what 
they call the Burmese military--has tried to achieve, through open 
repression and violence, what it long sought to achieve from the 
shadows. They want to derail Burma's democracy.
  The ruling generals now have the blood of thousands of protesters and 
innocent civilians on their hands. Thousands more are languishing in 
prison on political charges.
  Those detained include my friend Aung San Suu Kyi. They have also 
included a number of foreigners like the American journalists Nathan 
Maung and Danny Fenster. The Australian economist Sean Turnell remains 
unjustly imprisoned for now. Even one political prisoner would be one 
too many.
  The Tatmadaw's violence in the streets and its desecration of justice 
in sham courts have been a sad step backward for Burma. Unfortunately, 
it is a step that many of us who pay close attention to this country 
have feared.
  But 1 year ago--1 year on--it is encouraging to see the people of 
Burma rejecting one of the oppressors' favorite cynical tactics, and 
that cynical tactic is to try to stoke resentment and violence between 
diverse ethnic groups.
  Well, Burma's ethnic groups are no longer buying that. They see the 
common enemy that denies them their freedom. Millions of people across 
Burma are rallying together behind the representative National Unity 
Government.
  They are swelling the ranks of the National Unity Consultative 
Council in what can rightly be described as a revolution. But their 
bravery and unity may yield little without greater international 
assistance.
  A year ago, I called on the Biden administration to impose costs on 
those who stand in the way of the people of Burma and urged our 
partners to do the same. Along with many in the Burmese diaspora 
communities that call Kentucky home, I was encouraged by President 
Biden's quick condemnation of the coup, the sanctions against two of 
the junta's main funding sources, and efforts to target individual coup 
leaders.
  But, regrettably, these well-intentioned efforts have not been 
enough. There is more the Biden administration must do, and there is 
more that must be done by our democratic partners out in the region. 
The administration should be prioritizing Burma in its diplomacy 
throughout Asia, especially India.
  Along with our partners, the United States should expand sanctions to 
further isolate the military and security forces. We should move to 
expose countries like Russia and China that aid and abet the repression 
of the people of Burma.
  We must push back on Cambodia, which chairs the Association of 
Southeast Asian Nations, and indicates they may welcome--actually 
welcome--the illegitimate regime to international summits.
  The United States and our partners should also provide more direct 
help to the representative institutions that are trying to protect the 
people of that country. This should include direct, cross-border, 
humanitarian assistance that bypasses the Tatmadaw, institutional 
support, and capacity building for the NUG and the NUCC.
  Look, the international stakes go beyond Burma itself. The Tatmadaw 
aren't the only ones who benefit from chaos and injustice reigning in 
Burma.
  The Chinese Communist Party loathes--literally loathes--the idea of a 
functioning democracy in its own backyard. They have been working for 
years to keep Burma weak and subservient to Beijing. And Russia has 
found a happy customer in the Tatmadaw for surplus arms.
  So, 1 year on, the people of Burma are paying close attention. From 
prison, from exile, from the streets of its cities, they are watching 
to see which friends of democracy have their backs. They are watching 
which champions of human rights remember the political prisoners whom 
the junta has jailed and the innocent men, women, and children it has 
murdered.
  I have been proud to support the people of Burma on their long 
journey toward self-government. I have been proud to help ensure their 
struggles are not forgotten.

[[Page S424]]

  America and our partners need to pass this crucial test. We must 
leave no room for doubt about our commitment to democracy in Burma.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will call the roll.
  The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so 
ordered.