Congresswoman Tenney Applauds Passage of Two Bills on Burma in the House Foreign Affairs Committee

Washington, D.C. -- Congresswoman Claudia Tenney today supported two measures in the House Foreign Affairs Committee related to Burma. The measures condemn the recent military coup in Burma as well as the detention of civilian leaders, and call on the Biden Administration to use the full force of its diplomacy to hold the Burmese military responsible for its actions. Both measures, which Congresswoman Tenney proudly co-sponsored and supported, were adopted unanimously by the Committee. 

"New York's 22nd Congressional District is home to generations of Burmese refugees," Congresswoman Tenney said. "Many of the Burmese refugees I represent and have met with are scared for the lives of their friends and families. Through peaceful protests, they continue to call for the full restoration of democracy in Burma. I support their calls for a return to civilian rule, and the legislation adopted today by the Foreign Affairs Committee is a step toward accountability for those who perpetrated this coup. I will now work to ensure these bills are taken up by the full House of Representatives immediately."

Utica, New York is home to more than 2,000 Burmese refugees. For nearly a decade, the Burmese people have been working diligently to establish credible elections, democratic civilian governance, and a peaceful transition of power in Burma. However, this progress came to an abrupt halt after the military’s actions on February 1, 2021, led to the overthrow of the civilian government. 

The measures adopted today include H.R.1112, the Protect Democracy in Burma Act. This bill states it is U.S. policy to condemn the coup, and calls on the Administration to use its influence to hold the Burmese military accountable for the coup, and engage diplomatically to promote a return to Burma’s democratic transition. It also requires the Secretary of State to submit a one-time report describing efforts to implement U.S. policy regarding Burma.

The second measure that was adopted is H.Res.134, which condemns the military coup that took place on February 1, 2021, as well as the Burmese military's detention of civilian leaders. It also calls for the release of all those detained and for those elected to serve in Parliament to resume their duties.

Having been passed in Committee, the next step is for these bills to be considered by the full House of Representatives.

Congresswoman Tenney is a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. She serves on the Europe, Energy, the Environment and Cyber Subcommittee as well as the International Development, International Organizations and Global Corporate Social Impact Subcommittee.