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[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 132 Engrossed in House (EH)]

<DOC>
H. Res. 132

                In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

                                                     February 27, 2023.
Whereas, on February 6, 2023, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck central-southern 
        Turkiye, followed by a magnitude 7.5 earthquake later the same day, 
        followed by over a thousand aftershocks in Turkiye and northwest Syria;
Whereas the earthquakes have caused massive death and destruction, killing more 
        than 36,000 people and injuring tens of thousands more in Turkiye and 
        Syria;
Whereas the United States Agency for International Development and other 
        agencies mobilized Federal agencies and partners to provide life-saving 
        assistance to the people of Turkiye and Syria;
Whereas dangerous freezing winter weather conditions negatively impacted rescue 
        efforts and put earthquake survivors at further risk after thousands of 
        buildings collapsed into rubble;
Whereas the Republic of Turkiye is a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) 
        ally of the United States;
Whereas prior to the devastating earthquakes, millions of people in Syria were 
        relying on humanitarian assistance, and Turkiye was hosting more than 
        3,500,000 Syrian refugees;
Whereas through 12 years of war in Syria, the Assad regime has impeded the 
        delivery of humanitarian assistance to civilians, including those in 
        areas now impacted by the February 6, 2023, earthquakes;
Whereas the Russian Federation and People's Republic of China have used their 
        veto power at the United Nations Security Council to restrict the number 
        of United Nations-authorized border crossings between Turkiye and Syria 
        from four to just one--Bab al-Hawa;
Whereas although areas outside of the Assad regime's control have been the worst 
        affected by the earthquake, Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad stated that 
        any aid to victims must go through the Syrian Government in Damascus;
Whereas Department of State Spokesman Ned Price has stated it would be ``ironic, 
        if not even counterproductive, for us to reach out to a government that 
        has brutalized its people over the course of a dozen years now'';
Whereas the Assad regime has shamefully used the earthquake to call for the 
        lifting of United States sanctions, falsely claiming that such sanctions 
        impede the aid response; and
Whereas the human cost of this disaster transcends mere statistics and has 
        resulted in deeply personal tragedies for countless families: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) mourns the horrific loss of life in Turkiye and Syria caused by 
        the earthquakes in Turkiye on February 6, 2023;
            (2) expresses its deep condolences to the families of the many 
        earthquake victims;
            (3) applauds the heroic work of humanitarian aid and rescue workers 
        on the ground to save lives and provide care for victims, including 
        United States Agency for International Development Urban Search and 
        Rescue teams, the Armed Forces of the United States, including members 
        of such Armed Forces stationed at the Incirlik Air Force base in 
        Turkiye, and the Syrian Civil Defense, otherwise known as the White 
        Helmets;
            (4) applauds the response to the earthquake tragedy by the United 
        States Government, other governments, and nongovernmental organizations;
            (5) applauds the civilians in Turkiye and Syria who have selflessly 
        volunteered to assist with response to the devastating aftermath;
            (6) urges the international community to support heroic disaster 
        response efforts in Turkiye and Syria, including those by the Syrian 
        Civil Defense, the White Helmets;
            (7) condemns efforts by the Assad regime to cynically exploit the 
        disaster to evade international pressure and accountability, including 
        by preventing the United Nations from providing assistance through 
        multiple border crossings between Turkiye and Syria;
            (8) calls on the Biden administration to continue to use all 
        diplomatic tools, including through the United Nations Security Council, 
        to open all Turkiye-Syria border crossings for United Nations 
        assistance;
            (9) underscores the need for international assistance to reach 
        northwest Syria to assist with disaster relief;
            (10) calls for an increased oversight mechanism to ensure that 
        United States-funded assistance is not diverted for the benefit of the 
        Assad regime;
            (11) urges the Biden administration to remain committed to the 
        protection of the Syrian people including by implementing the Caesar 
        Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019; and
            (12) welcomes the Republic of Turkiye's continuing support to Syrian 
        refugees in Turkiye and in northwestern Syria.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.
```