Title: Expressing support for the Haitian people and their Constitution, rule of law, and commitment to democratic principles.
Policy area: International Affairs

Summary:
This resolution condemns the violence that took place in the Senate of Haiti on September 11, 2019, expresses support for the Haitian people and their constitution, and reaffirms the U.S.-Haiti partnership.

[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 619 Introduced in House (IH)]

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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;
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 
        Inter-American 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
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) condemns on a bipartisan basis the violence inside the 
        Senate of Haiti on September 11, 2019, for disrupting 
        constitutional process and the rule of law;
            (2) expresses support for the Haitian people and their 
        Constitution, rule of law, and commitment to democratic 
        principles;
            (3) supports a peaceful vote in the Senate of Haiti, in 
        accordance with the Constitution of Haiti and institutional 
        norms, leading to an inclusive solution for the betterment of 
        all Haitians;
            (4) reaffirms the strength of the United States-Haiti 
        partnership;
            (5) calls for sustained United States support, as well as 
        that of Haiti's other allies and friends around the world, in 
        order for Haiti to realize a thriving, free society;
            (6) commends Haiti for its vote to address the threats to 
        peace and democracy in the Americas posed by the former Maduro 
        regime at a meeting of states party to the Inter-American 
        Treaty of Reciprocal Assistance (TIAR);
            (7) thanks Haiti for serving as Vice President of the TIAR 
        Organ of Consultation; and
            (8) encourages an improved investment climate in Haiti to 
        spur private sector-led growth.
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