Calling for the redoubling of diplomatic efforts by the United States and its international partners to help achieve a negotiated, Haitian-led solution to the current impasse in Haiti that paves the way for broadly representative interim government to oversee the return to constitutional rule through free and fair elections.

Bill: 118-hres-471
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17]
Introduced: 2023-06-06
Policy area: International Affairs
Latest action: action_date: 2023-06-06
text: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Summaries:
action_date: 2023-06-06
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p>This resolution urges the United States and international partners to redouble their efforts to help Haiti achieve a negotiated, Haitian-led path to a broadly representative interim government. The resolution also calls for stronger action from relevant U.S. agencies to address illegal arms trafficking and illicit financial flows that are sustaining the current crisis. </p> <p>The resolution also encourages the Senate to swiftly confirm a new ambassador to Haiti.</p>

tv_txt: IV 118th CONGRESS 1st Session H. RES. 471 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES June 6, 2023 Mr. Lawler (for himself, Mrs. Cherfilus-McCormick , Ms. Salazar , Ms. Kamlager-Dove , and Mr. Gimenez ) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs RESOLUTION Calling for the redoubling of diplomatic efforts by the United States and its international partners to help achieve a negotiated, Haitian-led solution to the current impasse in Haiti that paves the way for broadly representative interim government to oversee the return to constitutional rule through free and fair elections.

Whereas the close proximity of Haiti to the shores of the United States, in conjunction with the common bond of mutual values, family, and commitment to democracy, ensures lasting comity between our nations and continued trade and diplomatic relations; Whereas over 1,000,000 persons of Haitian descent live throughout the United States and contribute to social, economic, cultural, and political life in the United States; Whereas Haiti’s stability has significant economic and security implications for the United States and the region; Whereas the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021 has only accelerated Haiti’s spiral of unprecedented political and economic instability; Whereas the current caretaker government of Acting Prime Minister Ariel Henry is being run extra-constitutionally with a non-functioning Parliament and few viable public institutions; Whereas Haitians need to be able to choose their government through free and fair elections; Whereas citizen security in Haiti is virtually non-existent, with half of the country living under the control of criminal gangs with strong political connections; Whereas the resulting dire economic situation is affecting most directly the most impoverished and vulnerable citizens, including children; Whereas the international community’s immediate humanitarian and economic responses will only marginally address the underlying factors behind the collapse of governance in Haiti; Whereas the current crisis has led to increased outflow of desperate Haitians making the dangerous trek through South and Central America and contributing to the migration surge at the United States southern border; Whereas the current stalemate among Haiti’s principal actors is no longer viable; and Whereas the most immediate needs in Haiti are citizen security and a consensus roadmap for policymakers in Haiti with the support of the international community, that responds to the current crisis: Now, therefore, be it

That the House of Representatives— (1) urges the redoubling of diplomatic efforts by the United States and international partners to help achieve a negotiated, Haitian-led solution to the current impasse in Haiti leading to the establishment of a broadly representative interim government; (2) calls for the expansion of individual sanctions against any Haitian political actor or private sector individual with ties to violence, particularly the financing and directing of gangs; (3) supports the review and revision of all United States assistance programs to the Haitian National Police to enhance their capability to improve citizen security by neutralizing Haitian gangs; (4) calls for stronger action from the relevant United States agencies to address illegal arms trafficking and illicit financial flows that are sustaining the current crisis in Haiti; and (5) encourages the Senate to swiftly confirm a new ambassador to Haiti to serve as a key interlocutor between the various parties.