Protect Democracy in Burma Act of 2021
Bill: H.R.1112 | Sponsor: Rep. Connolly, Gerald E. (D-VA)
Policy area: International Affairs

Summary:
Protect Democracy in Burma Act of 2021
This bill requires the Department of State to report to Congress on the military coup in Burma (Myanmar), including a description of U.S. efforts to (1) engage with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to support a return to Burma's democratic transition and democratic values throughout Southeast Asia, and (2) influence the United Nations to hold accountable those responsible for the coup.

To require a report on the military coup in Burma, and for other 
                               purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Protect Democracy in Burma Act of 
2021''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds the following:
            (1) On March 14, 2005, the House of Representatives agreed 
        to H. Res. 135, which established the House Democracy 
        Assistance Commission (later changed to the House Democracy 
        Partnership, hereafter referred to as ``HDP'') to work directly 
        with parliaments around the world to support the development of 
        effective, independent, and responsive legislative 
        institutions.
            (2) HDP approved a legislative strengthening partnership 
        with Burma in 2016 and organized the first congressional 
        delegation to meet with the new civilian-led government, led by 
        State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi, and civil society leaders in 
        May 2016.
            (3) On February 2, 2021, the U.S. Department of State 
        assessed that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader of Burma's 
        ruling party, and President Win Myint, the duly elected head of 
        government, were deposed in a military coup on February 1, 
        2021.
            (4) As part of the military coup, the Burmese military 
        declared martial law, suspended the civilian-led government, 
        and detained newly elected Members of Parliament in the 
        capitol, Naypyidaw, thereby usurping the role of the 
        democratically elected government and parliament.

SEC. 3. SENSE OF CONGRESS.

    It is the sense of Congress that--
            (1) due to the Burmese military's seizure of government 
        through the detention of State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, 
        President Win Myint, and other government leaders, Burma is not 
        represented by a democratically-elected government;
            (2) the inability of newly elected Members of Parliament to 
        begin their official mandate due to the Burmese military's 
        actions directly threatens the democratic trajectory of Burma's 
        Parliament, and thereby the country;
            (3) the will and determination of those duly-elected 
        Members of Parliament who are taking it upon themselves to 
        continue serving as representatives of the people through 
        alternative methods of communicating and convening should be 
        lauded; and
            (4) by preventing the Parliament from completing its work, 
        the Burmese military has rendered impossible and effectively 
        nullified the international collaborative relationships that 
        have supported and strengthened the institution, including the 
        Burmese parliament's partnership with HDP.

SEC. 4. POLICY OF THE UNITED STATES REGARDING BURMA'S DEMOCRACY.

    It is the policy of the United States to--
            (1) condemn the military coup in Burma, to urge the 
        unconditional release of detained democratically-elected 
        leaders and civil society members, and to support a return to 
        Burma's democratic transition;
            (2) instruct, as appropriate, representatives of the United 
        States Government to use the voice, vote, and influence of the 
        United States at the United Nations to hold accountable those 
        responsible for the military coup in Burma; and
            (3) engage with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations 
        (ASEAN) and ASEAN member states to promote a return to Burma's 
        democratic transition and democratic values throughout 
        Southeast Asia, and support the centrality of ASEAN within the 
        regional architecture of the Indo-Pacific.

SEC. 5. REPORT.

    Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, 
the Secretary of State shall submit to the Committee on Foreign Affairs 
and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on Appropriations 
of the Senate a report on the military coup in Burma, including a 
description of efforts to implement the policy specified in section 4.

            Passed the House of Representatives March 18, 2021.

            Attest:

                                             CHERYL L. JOHNSON,

                                                                 Clerk.