I 
109TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. R. 946 
To establish the Independent Commission on the 2004 Coup d’E´tat in the 
Republic of Haiti. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
FEBRUARY 17, 2005 
Ms. LEE (for herself, Mr. CONYERS, Ms. KILPATRICK of Michigan, Mrs. 
JONES of Ohio, Mr. OWENS, Mr. GRIJALVA, Ms. NORTON, Mr. RANGEL, 
Mr. TOWNS, Mr. BROWN of Ohio, and Ms. WATERS) introduced the fol-
lowing bill; which was referred to the Committee on International Rela-
tions 
A BILL 
To establish the Independent Commission on the 2004 Coup 
d’E´tat in the Republic of Haiti. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMISSION. 
There is established in the legislative branch the 
Independent Commission on the 2004 Coup d’E´tat in the 
Republic of Haiti (in this Act referred to as the ‘‘Commis-
sion’’).
SEC. 2. DUTIES. 
(a) DUTIES.—The Commission shall examine and 
evaluate the role of the United States Government in the 
February 2004 coup d’e´tat in the Republic of Haiti. In 
carrying out the preceding sentence, the Commission shall 
examine and evaluate the following: 
(1) The extent to which the United States Gov-
ernment impeded the democratic process in Haiti, 
including the extent to which actions and policies of 
the United States Government contributed to the 
overthrow of the democratically-elected Government 
of Haiti. 
(2) The circumstances under which Haitian 
President Jean-Bertrand Aristide resigned his office 
and went into exile in the Central African Republic, 
including the role of the United States Government 
in such resignation and exile. 
(3) In the events leading up to the coup d’e´tat, 
the extent to which the United States Government 
fulfilled its obligations under article 17 of the Orga-
nization of American States (OAS) Inter-American 
Democratic Charter requiring that each OAS mem-
ber country come to the aid of another OAS govern-
ment under attack. 
(4) The extent to which the United States Gov-
ernment impeded efforts by the international com-
munity, particularly efforts by Caribbean Commu-
nity (CARICOM) countries, to prevent the overthrow 
of the democratically-elected Government of Haiti. 
(5) The role of the United States Government 
in influencing decisions regarding Haiti at the 
United Nations Security Council and in discussions 
between Haiti and other countries that were willing 
to assist in the preservation of the democratically- 
elected Government of Haiti by sending security 
forces to Haiti. 
(6) The extent to which United States assist-
ance was provided or United States personnel were 
used to support, directly or indirectly, the forces op-
posed to the government of President Aristide, in-
cluding the extent to which United States bilateral 
assistance was channeled through nongovernmental 
organizations that were directly or indirectly associ-
ated with political groups actively involved in fo-
menting hostilities or violence toward the govern-
ment of President Aristide. 
(7) The involvement of the Central Intelligence 
Agency, directly or indirectly, in operations that con-
tributed to the overthrow of the democratically-elect-
ed Government of Haiti.
(8) The impact of the International Republican 
Institute, the National Democratic Institute for 
International Affairs, and other organizations fund-
ed by the United States Agency for International 
Development on the political process in Haiti. 
(9) The political and economic impact on Haiti 
of the decision by the United States Government to 
discontinue all United States bilateral assistance to 
Haiti and United States efforts to block loans and 
support for Haiti from international financial insti-
tutions. 
(10) The broader implications for Haiti and the 
Caribbean region of the events culminating in the 
coup d’e´tat. 
(b) SCOPE OF DUTIES.—In carrying out the duties 
described in subsection (a), the Commission may examine 
the actions and representations of the current Administra-
tion as well as prior Administrations. 
SEC. 3. COMPOSITION OF COMMISSION. 
(a) MEMBERS.—The Commission shall be composed 
of 10 members, of whom— 
(1) 3 members shall be appointed by the major-
ity leader of the Senate; 
(2) 2 members shall be appointed by the Speak-
er of the House of Representatives;
(3) 2 members shall be appointed by the minor-
ity leader of the Senate; and 
(4) 3 members shall be appointed by the minor-
ity leader of the House of Representatives. 
(b) QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENT; DEADLINE FOR 
APPOINTMENT; MEETINGS.— 
(1) NONGOVERNMENTAL APPOINTEES.—An in-
dividual appointed to the Commission may not be an 
officer or employee of the Federal Government or 
any State or local government. 
(2) DEADLINE FOR APPOINTMENT.—All mem-
bers of the Commission shall be appointed not later 
than 45 days after the date of the enactment of this 
Act. 
(3) MEETINGS.—The Commission shall meet at 
the call of the Chairperson or a majority of its mem-
bers. 
(c) CHAIRPERSON; VICE CHAIRPERSON.—The Chair-
person and Vice Chairperson of the Commission shall be 
elected by the members of the Commission. 
(d) QUORUM; VACANCIES.—6 members of the Com-
mission shall constitute a quorum. Any vacancy in the 
Commission shall not affect its powers, but shall be filled 
in the same manner in which the original appointment was 
made.