[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 200 (Monday, December 1, 2025)]
[House]
[Pages H4945-H4947]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
NO NEW BURMA FUNDS ACT
Mr. DAVIDSON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 4423) to continue the pause on disbursements and new
financing commitments to the Government of Burma, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 4423
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 ``No New Burma Funds Act''.
SEC. 2. CONTINUATION OF PAUSE ON WORLD BANK DISBURSEMENTS AND
COMMITMENTS TO BURMA.
The Secretary of the Treasury shall direct the United
States Executive Director at the International Bank for
Reconstruction and Development to use the voice and vote of
the United States to continue the pause by the Bank on
disbursements and the making of new financing commitments to
the Government of Burma, that was initiated after a military
coup overthrew the democratically elected Government of Burma
in 2021, unless the Secretary of the Treasury determines that
it is not in the national interest to do so.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Ohio (Mr. Davidson) and the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Waters)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Ohio.
[[Page H4946]]
General Leave
Mr. DAVIDSON. 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 the bill.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Ohio?
There was no objection.
Mr. DAVIDSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4423, the No New Burma Funds
Act. I thank the gentlewoman from Georgia (Ms. Williams) for sponsoring
this bipartisan legislation.
I am pleased to note that this bill passed the Financial Services
Committee unanimously by a vote of 54-0 in July of this year. That kind
of agreement underscores the seriousness of the threat posed by Burma's
military regime and the broad consensus that the United States must
respond firmly.
The No New Burma Funds Act ensures that the United States will oppose
any new World Bank financing that could benefit Burma's illegitimate
military junta and supports international efforts to restore democratic
governance.
Since the military overthrew the elected Burma Government in 2021,
Congress has fought to hold Burma's military coup accountable and
support the Burmese people in their struggle for freedom to restore
their rightful voice in their own government.
Yet despite widespread global condemnation, the acting Government of
Burma continues to entrench its power, exploit state resources, and
suppress democratic aspirations of its citizens, all while seeking
access to new streams of international financing.
The No New Burma Funds Act responds directly to this challenge by
ensuring that the United States continues to use its full voice and
vote at the World Bank to maintain a strict pause on disbursements in
new financing commitments to the current government in control of
Burma.
Supporting democratic movements, defending human rights, and
advancing stability in Southeast Asia are in our American interest.
When international institutions inadvertently enable authoritarian
regimes through new financing, our credibility suffers, and in this
case the Burmese people would pay the price.
By reaffirming and strengthening this pause, H.R. 4423 provides a
responsible and targeted approach that prevents international funds
from benefiting the current government and maintains the pressure
applied following the 2021 coup.
This is a bipartisan, commonsense measure that upholds human rights,
reinforces international accountability, and supports the long-term
prospects of peace and democracy in Burma. I thank the bill's sponsor
for her work on this legislation and commitment to standing with the
people of Burma.
I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this bill
and help send a clear message that the United States will not allow
international financing that empowers brutal dictatorship or tyranny in
Burma. I reserve the balance of my time.
{time} 1800
Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from
Georgia (Ms. Williams).
Ms. WILLIAMS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R.
4423, the bipartisan No New Burma Funds Act.
This bill, which I introduced with my colleague Young Kim, would
mandate that the United States use its voice and vote to continue the
World Bank's pause on disbursements and new financing commitments to
the Government of Burma. This pause was initiated after a military coup
overthrew the democratically elected Government of Burma in 2021.
Mr. Speaker, 4 years ago, the democratically elected leaders in
Burma's ruling party, the National League for Democracy, were
overthrown by the Tatmadaw, Burma's military. Since the military
regime's coup, we have seen families displaced. We have seen citizens
detained without access to income, education, or healthcare. There has
been brutal violence against the Burmese civilian population.
I center my work on my constituents and fighting for those most
marginalized. Mr. Speaker, while I hope we are going to have a robust
conversation around making sure that everyone back home in my district
is housed with affordable housing and lowering costs in this country,
today, this bill is still central to my constituents. In my district
alone, DeKalb County is home to over 2,000 Burmese refugees.
In another life, prior to my congressional service, I was a public
school teacher. I had a student who was a Burmese refugee. Htet-Yet and
his family's story is empowering and a stark reminder that not only do
we have an obligation to help those no matter their ZIP Code, but we
have a duty to help those no matter where they are around the globe.
This legislation gives our country yet another tool to put financial
pressure on the Burmese Government. This bill will ensure that the U.S.
executive director at the World Bank pushes the institution to continue
its pause on the disbursement of funds and new financing commitments to
the government, incentivizing the Burmese Government to give power back
to the most important piece of any thriving free country: the people.
I thank Congresswoman Young Kim for co-leading this important
legislation with me. I also thank Chairman Hill and Ranking Member
Waters for their support of this priority. I urge all of my colleagues
to support this bill.
Mr. DAVIDSON. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record the CBO estimate
for this bill.
H.R. 4423, NO NEW BURMA FUNDS ACT, AS REPORTED BY THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON
FINANCIAL SERVICES ON SEPTEMBER 8, 2025
------------------------------------------------------------------------
By fiscal year, millions of
dollars--
-----------------------------------
2026 2026-2030 2026-2035
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Direct Spending (Outlays)........... 0 0 0
Revenues............................ 0 0 0
Increase or Decrease (-) in the 0 0 0
Deficit............................
Spending Subject to Appropriation * * *
(Outlays)..........................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* = between zero and $500,000.
Increases net direct spending in any of the four
consecutive 10-year periods beginning in 2036? No.
Increases on-budget deficits in any of the four consecutive
10-year periods beginning in 2036? No.
Statutory pay-as-you-go procedures apply? No.
Mandate Effects:
Contains intergovernmental mandate? No.
Contains private-sector mandate? No.
H.R. 4423 would require the United States Executive
Director at the International Bank for Reconstruction and
Development to advocate for a continued pause on
disbursements and new financing commitments to the Government
of Burma.
On the basis of information about the costs of similar
diplomatic efforts to influence the actions of other nations
and international organizations, CBO estimates that
implementing H.R. 4423 would cost less than $500,000 over the
2026-2030 period. Any spending would be subject to the
availability of appropriated funds.
The CBC staff contact for this estimate is Emma Uebelhor.
The estimate was reviewed by Christina Hawley Anthony, Deputy
Director of Budget Analysis.
Phillip L. Swagel,
Director, Congressional Budget Office.
Mr. DAVIDSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from
California (Mrs. Kim).
Mrs. KIM. Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Davidson for yielding
time.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4423, the No New Funds for
Burma Act. This bill would suspend disbursements and financing from the
International Bank for Reconstruction and Development to Burma until
the Treasury Secretary identifies a meaningful change in regime and
restoration of democratic values.
In February 2021, the democratically elected members of Burma's
Government were deposed by the military junta. As we approach almost 5
years since the military's unlawful seizure of power, chaos has
overtaken Burma. Since the coup, more than 6,000 people have been
killed, 20,000 detained, and more than 3.5 million displaced from their
homes.
Caused directly by the Burmese military junta, this humanitarian
crisis makes one thing very clear: The regime cannot be trusted to
responsibly steward funds from international financial institutions or
deliver aid to the communities most in need.
Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Williams of Georgia for allowing
me to co-lead the No New Funds for Burma Act. I urge my colleagues to
join us in condemning the ongoing violence in Burma and supporting this
legislation.
[[Page H4947]]
Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, given the human rights violations committed by the
Burmese leadership, we must ensure that no new funds are disbursed to
the government. In line with longstanding U.S. policy, America should
urge multilateral institutions like the World Bank to avoid rewarding
those who breach international laws and the norms that they should be
respecting.
Mr. Speaker, I again urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. DAVIDSON. Mr. Speaker, for the reasons I explained earlier, I
urge all of our colleagues to support this bill.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Goldman of Texas). The question is on
the motion offered by the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Davidson) that the
House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 4423, 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. DAVIDSON. 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.
____________________