IV 

116TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 619 

Expressing support for the Haitian people and their Constitution, rule of 

law, and commitment to democratic principles. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

OCTOBER 8, 2019 

Mr. KING of Iowa submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 

the Committee on Foreign Affairs 

RESOLUTION 

Expressing support for the Haitian people and their Constitution, rule of law, and commitment to democratic 

principles. 

Whereas, for the second time this year, the President of the 

Republic of Haiti has nominated a new head of Government (a Prime Minister) along with a cabinet, while consulting with the presidents of both chambers of the Parliament, in accordance with the Constitution of Haiti; 

Whereas in order to get sworn in, the Prime Minister has to 

get his general political plan approved by a simple majority in each of the two chambers of Parliament; 

Whereas the lower chamber has approved that general political plan on September 3, 2019, with a majority vote; 


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•HRES 619 IH 

Whereas, on September 11, 2019, the Senate was to hold a 

session to hear the general political plan of Mr. Michel, 

where the Senators needed to approve or reject it in 

order to form a government; 

Whereas the Parliament was vandalized for the second time 

this year to prevent the session from happening; 

Whereas these individuals intended to intimidate and create 

a chaotic environment; 

Whereas without a new functioning government, a budget 

cannot be passed, midterm elections cannot be organized, 

new agreements with international financial institutions 

(such as the International Monetary Fund and the InterAmerican Development Bank) cannot be finalized, and 

many urgent matters cannot be addressed; 

Whereas in January of 2020, the term for the entire lower 

chamber and 2⁄3 of the Senate will expire, and the President could then rule by decree; and 

Whereas democracy in Haiti is in peril because of the actions 

of a few, which affect the short-term and long-term interests of all Haitians: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) condemns on a bipartisan basis the violence 

3 inside the Senate of Haiti on September 11, 2019, 

4 for disrupting constitutional process and the rule of 

5 law; 

6 (2) expresses support for the Haitian people 

7 and their Constitution, rule of law, and commitment 

8 to democratic principles; 


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•HRES 619 IH 

1 (3) supports a peaceful vote in the Senate of 

2 Haiti, in accordance with the Constitution of Haiti 

3 and institutional norms, leading to an inclusive solu4 tion for the betterment of all Haitians; 

5 (4) reaffirms the strength of the United States6 Haiti partnership; 

7 (5) calls for sustained United States support, as 

8 well as that of Haiti’s other allies and friends 

9 around the world, in order for Haiti to realize a 

10 thriving, free society; 

11 (6) commends Haiti for its vote to address the 

12 threats to peace and democracy in the Americas 

13 posed by the former Maduro regime at a meeting of 

14 states party to the Inter-American Treaty of Recip15 rocal Assistance (TIAR); 

16 (7) thanks Haiti for serving as Vice President 

17 of the TIAR Organ of Consultation; and 

18 (8) encourages an improved investment climate 

19 in Haiti to spur private sector-led growth. 

Æ 


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