House Foreign Affairs Committee Passes Congresswoman Tenney's Bipartisan Resolution on Burma
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-22), member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, today announced her bipartisan resolution passed the full committee during a markup hearing. H.Res. 348, introduced with Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), urges the United Nations Security Council to immediately impose an arms embargo against the Burmese military for its unlawful coup against democratically elected civilian leaders.
"I am pleased this bipartisan legislation was adopted unanimously by the Foreign Affairs Committee today. Imposing a UN Arms Embargo on the military regime in Burma would send a strong message that the world supports the Burmese people's fight for freedom and democracy. We must hold the Burmese military accountable for its anti-democratic actions and abuse of innocent civilians. I will continue to be a voice for the more than 5,000 Burmese refugees and Burmese-American citizens who call New York's 22nd District home."
Congresswoman Tenney delivered the following remarks during committee, which can be watched by clicking the link here or the video above.
"Chairman Meeks, Ranking Member McCaul, thank you so much for convening this full committee markup today. It is an honor for me to represent New York’s 22nd Congressional District, which is home to generations of Burmese refugees.
This is why I’m pleased today we are considering a measure on Burma that I introduced with my friend and colleague, Representative Castro. I thank all of my colleagues on the Foreign Affairs Committee who have supported this bipartisan effort, especially Chairman Meeks and Ranking Member McCaul for their support. The bipartisanship of this committee is so inspiring and it’s such an honor to serve with you and how we well we all work together on keeping our world a peaceful place.
House Resolution 348 calls on the United Nations Security Council to impose a global arms embargo on the military of Burma, in order to cut off the sale of weapons and equipment to the military that have been used to kill civilians in Burma.
Stopping the supply of weapons, ammunitions, and military equipment is of paramount importance to ensure the junta ends its repression of the Burmese people and the deadly coup fails.
This collective action will not only help protect innocent citizens, but it also sends a powerful message from the international community that grave violations of human rights have serious consequences, and that the coup leaders will be held accountable.
For decades, the Burmese people have been working diligently to establish credible elections, democratic civilian governance, and a peaceful transition of power.
They were making progress, until it came to an abrupt halt. On February 1st, Burma’s military overthrew the civilian government. Since then, peaceful protests have been met with deadly force, killing at least 800 people and imprisoning nearly 4,200, many of those people are young children.
Many of the Burmese refugees and new citizens I represent are from Utica. I’ve been a supporter and also an advocate for our Burmese community and families. Since the first family came to my city of Utica back in 2000, we followed them when I was a newspaper owner, publisher, and reporter. We are so honored to have them in our community for over 21 years now.
Now more than ever, I urge all of us to remain committed to the Burmese people’s quest for democracy, peace, and freedom, and to oppose this affront to their dignity.
The courage and the tenacity of the people in my community is just simply inspiring. Their peaceful protests, their care for democracy, their love of our institutions and our principles in this country is everything that we honor and should love about our country, which they are helping us to reignite.
Mr. Chairman, I strongly support passage of this resolution and look forward to working with my colleagues, and bringing an end to this terrible violence and undemocratic situation in Burma."