[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 183 (Tuesday, November 29, 2022)]
[House]
[Pages H8629-H8631]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
{time} 1615
CONDEMNING THE USE OF HUNGER AS A WEAPON OF WAR AND RECOGNIZING THE
EFFECT OF CONFLICT ON GLOBAL FOOD SECURITY AND FAMINE
Ms. JACOBS of California. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules
and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 922) condemning the use of hunger
as a weapon of war and recognizing the effect of conflict on global
food security and famine, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 922
Whereas, in 2021, 193,000,000 people experienced crisis
levels of food insecurity, with nearly 139,000,000 people
living in environments where conflict was the main driver of
this crisis, and the COVID-19 pandemic has worsened rising
global food insecurity;
Whereas conflict acutely impacts vulnerable populations
such as women and children, persons with disabilities,
refugees, and internally displaced persons;
Whereas armed conflict's impacts on food security can be
direct, such as displacement from land, destruction of
livestock grazing areas and fishing grounds, or destruction
of food stocks and agricultural assets, or indirect, such as
disruptions to food systems, leading to increased food
prices, including water and fuel, and the breakdown of a
government's ability to enforce regulations or perform its
judiciary functions;
[[Page H8630]]
Whereas aerial bombing campaigns targeting agricultural
heartlands, scorched earth methods of warfare, and the use of
landmines and other explosive devices have direct impacts on
the ability of vulnerable populations to feed themselves;
Whereas effective humanitarian response in armed conflict,
including in the threat of conflict-induced famine and food
insecurity in situations of armed conflict, requires respect
for international humanitarian law by all parties to the
conflict, and allowing and facilitating the rapid and
unimpeded movement of humanitarian relief to all those in
need;
Whereas efforts to restrict humanitarian aid and the
operational integrity and impartiality of humanitarian aid
works and distribution efforts, including through blockades,
security impediments, or irregular bureaucratic requirements
is another means by which combatants employ starvation and
food deprivation as a weapon of war; and
Whereas the United States Government has the tools to fight
global hunger, provide and protect lifesaving assistance, and
promote the prevention of conflict, including through the
Global Fragility Act of 2019 (title V of division J of Public
Law 116-94), the Global Food Security Act of 2016 (Public Law
114-195), and the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (Public
Law 115-334), and has the potential to hold accountable those
using hunger as a weapon in conflict through the Global
Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act (subtitle F of
title XII of Public Law 114-328) and other means: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) condemns--
(A) the use of starvation of civilians as a weapon of
warfare;
(B) the intentional and reckless destruction, removing,
looting, blocking, or rendering useless objects necessary for
food production and distribution such as farmland, markets,
mills, food processing and storage areas, such as ports and
hubs containing grain terminals, foodstuffs, crops,
livestock, agricultural assets, waterways, water systems,
drinking water installations and supplies, and irrigation
works;
(C) the denial of humanitarian access and the deprivation
of objects indispensable to people's survival, such as food
supplies and nutrition resources; and
(D) the willful interruption of market systems to affected
populations in need in conflict environments by preventing
travel and manipulating currency exchange;
(2) calls on the United States Government to--
(A) prioritize diplomatic efforts to call out and address
instances where hunger and intentional deprivation of food is
being utilized as a weapon of war, including efforts to
ensure that security operations do not undermine livelihoods
of local populations to minimize civilian harm;
(B) continue efforts to address severe food insecurity
through humanitarian and development response efforts,
including in-kind food assistance, vouchers, and other
flexible modalities, and long-term programming focused on
agriculture support and resilient livelihoods;
(C) ensure existing interagency strategies, crisis response
efforts, and ongoing programs consider, integrate, and adapt
to address conflict by utilizing crisis modifiers in United
States Agency for International Development programming to
respond to rapid shocks and stress such as the willful
targeting of food systems; and
(D) ensure that the use of hunger as a weapon in conflict
is considered within the employment of tools to hold
individuals, governments, militias, or entities responsible
such as the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act
(22 U.S.C. 2656), where appropriate, and taking into
consideration the need for humanitarian exemptions and the
protection of lifesaving assistance.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from
California (Ms. Jacobs) and the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Kim)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Jacobs).
general leave
Ms. JACOBS of California. 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. Res. 922, as
amended.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Jacobs)?
There was no objection.
Ms. JACOBS of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 922 to condemn
the use of hunger as a weapon of war and recognize the effect of
conflict on global food security.
I thank Chair Meeks for his support and my colleagues,
Representatives Peter Meijer, Bobby Rush, and Tracey Mann, for co-
leading this with me.
Even before the Russian invasion of Ukraine, we have seen how climate
change, the pandemic, and conflict fuel food crises around the world in
Yemen, Syria, Ethiopia, and South Sudan, and now this war has
exacerbated all of these crises.
In Ukraine, Russia's unprovoked war has left one in three families
without enough food and disrupted critical supply chains in the country
and around the world.
But we also have to recognize that we shouldn't only sound the alarm
and mobilize aid and attention when and where humanitarian crises
affect people who look like us. Around the world, especially in some of
the poorest countries, millions of people are hungry and suffering as a
direct result of Putin's relentless crusade for power.
In the Horn of Africa, the combined effects of climate change,
conflict, and rising food prices from Russia's invasion of Ukraine have
all exacerbated the rising food crisis, with more than 37 million
people, including 7 million children, on the verge of famine as the
region endures the longest drought in more than 40 years.
Afghanistan continues to face an acute humanitarian crisis this
upcoming winter, where over 95 percent of the population cannot afford
to feed themselves or their families.
Haiti imports 70 percent of its food, mainly from Russia and Canada,
and is experiencing catastrophic hunger levels, with 4.7 million of the
population facing acute hunger.
In Ethiopia, over 20 million people in Tigray, Amhara, and Afar are
in dire need of humanitarian assistance and rely on wheat imports from
Ukraine and Russia.
In South Sudan, where I traveled earlier this year, 8.3 million
people are experiencing severe food insecurity, the most extreme level
of food insecurity in the country since it became independent in 2011.
But we have also seen the power of the U.N., diplomacy, and global
cooperation in alleviating this crisis. The historic Black Sea Grain
Initiative, which was recently extended, has facilitated the export of
millions of tons of agricultural exports from Ukraine's Black Sea
ports.
I commend Ukraine's new humanitarian initiative, Grain from Ukraine,
that came out of the first International Summit on Food Security. It
will ship grain to African countries most in need. Governments around
the world have already contributed $150 million, with hopefully more to
come.
The crisis in Ukraine has made clear why it is so important that we,
as a body, recognize the consequences of war on food security, condemn
starvation of civilians as a weapon of war, and call on the United
States Government--here in Congress and in the administration--to
continue addressing these crises and hold perpetrators accountable.
Mr. Speaker, I am proud to lead this important resolution today, and
I urge my colleagues to support it. I reserve the balance of my time.
Mrs. KIM of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my
time.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution authored by my
colleagues, Congresswoman Jacobs and Congressman Meijer. This
resolution condemns the use of hunger as a weapon of war and recognizes
the impact that conflict has on global food security and famine.
Around the world, over 300 million people are in urgent need of food
assistance. Many are facing emergency food needs due to years of
protracted conflict, whether in Syria, Yemen, the Sahel, Nigeria, or
South Sudan.
But shockingly, we are also seeing the increasing use of hunger and
starvation as a deliberate weapon of war, with worldwide effects.
Ukraine just commemorated the solemn anniversary of the Holodomor
famine, which killed millions of Ukrainians at Stalin's direction.
Ninety years later, Putin is reviving this evil, targeting wheat fields
and grain silos, deliberately seeking to destroy vital sources of food
for the Ukrainian people and the world.
The Kremlin's propaganda machine is attempting to blame international
sanctions for the worsening global food crisis, but that is a lie. In
reality, this crisis is a direct result of Putin's unprovoked war of
aggression against Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Russia uses its influence at the U.N. to exert control
over the vital food aid that millions of Syrians rely on in an effort
to bolster Bashar al-Assad's brutal grip on power.
[[Page H8631]]
In Yemen, Iran-backed Houthi rebels have weaponized food aid, using
it for military gains and personal profit, while millions of Yemenis
continue to face famine-like conditions.
These atrocities must be condemned by all people of goodwill. The
administration should impose severe penalties on those responsible,
including through sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Human
Rights Accountability Act.
Mr. Speaker, I thank Representatives Jacobs and Meijer, Chairman
Meeks, and Ranking Member McCaul for introducing this measure and
bringing it to the floor. An identical text unanimously passed the
Senate in July.
Deliberately starving innocent civilians as a weapon of war must be
condemned wherever it occurs. This resolution also condemns the acts of
looting, diversion, or other denials of humanitarian access that impede
the delivery of lifesaving assistance to populations who need it the
most.
Finally, I take this moment to commend the humanitarians who put
their lives at risk every day to get food to vulnerable children,
women, and men who need it just to stay alive. Their efforts deserve
our support, and so does this resolution.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. JACOBS of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of
my time.
Mr. Speaker, H. Res. 922 is an important piece of legislation to put
this body on record as condemning the weaponization of hunger around
the world and the impact conflict has on global food security.
As the world works together to alleviate multiple crises, this
resolution serves as an important reminder of the cost of war and the
need to hold perpetrators of starvation accountable.
Mr. Speaker, I hope my colleagues will join me and support this
resolution, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 922,
``Condemning the use of hunger as a weapon of war and recognizing the
effect of conflict on global food security and famine Act''.
This resolution condemns the use of starvation of civilians as a
weapon of warfare. It also calls on the U.S. government to prioritize
diplomatic efforts to call out and address instances where hunger and
intentional deprivation of food is being utilized as a weapon of war,
including efforts to ensure that security operations do not undermine
livelihoods of local populations to minimize civilian harm.
The United States has always been a nation that espouses human
rights. That's a central tenet on which we were founded.
So when we see starvation being used as a weapon of warfare, it is
reprehensible to us.
Global food insecurity is of great importance to me because, not only
am I a longtime Member of the House Hunger Caucus, I represent the same
Congressional District that had been represented by iconic leaders who
fought to end hunger in the U.S. and globally.
I am proud to continue the historic legacy of Congresswoman Barbara
Jordan, who was a champion for human dignity and fought for the rights
of all people regardless of race, gender, heritage, or economic status,
and Congressman Mickey Leland, who worked tirelessly to raise awareness
of, and fight for, policies to end food insecurity around the globe and
who, tragically, died in a plane crash while working to end world
hunger on a relief mission in Ethiopia.
Starvation is a brutal and inhumane way to force someone to
surrender. It's a slow and agonizing death, used by the immoral to gain
leverage in a war of attrition and aggression.
Starvation tactics typically target innocent, vulnerable civilians
who are not directly a party to the conflict; instead they are merely
caught in the crossfire of conflict.
That is why we must adopt this legislation.
The United States government must prioritize diplomatic efforts to
call out and address instances where hunger and intentional deprivation
of food is being utilized as a weapon.
We must show the world that we do not condone this type of behavior
and that we will not stand for it.
The United States should prioritize diplomatic efforts to call out
and address instances where hunger and intentional deprivation of food
is being utilized as a weapon.
We must do everything in our power to protect innocent civilians from
this barbaric practice.
Starvation is a terrible thing. It's something that nobody should
have to go through. And yet, there are people in this world who are
starving right now as a consequence of war, or, perhaps worse, as a
tool of warfare.
The people of Ethiopia's Tigre Province are being subjected to a
truly vile and malicious use of food deprivation in this way. The
region was already suffering from drought, and when compounded by
forced starvation from denial of access to food as a weapon of war, the
effect is heinous and the consequences are unforgiveable.
In Pakistan, food deprivation is compounded by the human toll from
recent floods and other natural disasters. Using drought to
strategically exacerbate starvation is unacceptable.
Russia's aggression against Ukraine is a global food insecurity
tragedy on multiple levels. As Putin wages his war against the people
of Ukraine, he uses food as a weapon by destroying the food production
and transportation capacity of the country he invaded. At the same
time, since Ukraine grows grains and crops that feed much of the world,
Putin's devastation of Ukraine's food production infrastructure and
takeovers of Ukrainian food exports cause food insecure populations of
countless countries to suffer, especially in Africa.
Finally, I condemn the use of government blockades as a weapon of war
to deliberately increase starvation.
Government blockades are nothing more than collective punishment, and
they're a violation of the human rights of the people who are suffering
under them.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Jacobs) that the House suspend the
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 922, 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.
Mr. BIGGS. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further
proceedings on this motion will be postponed.
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