Congresswoman Lee Introduces Bill to Advance U.S. Leadership Abroad
Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee introduced legislation to re-authorize U.S. participation in the Inter-Parliamentary Union. Congresswoman Lee is one of two U.S. House of Representative representatives to the United Nations.
“The Inter-Parliamentary Union is a vital venue for the promotion of freedom, human rights and strong democratic institutions at the global level,” said Congresswoman Lee. “As the founding member and long-time participant, the U.S. must rejoin this important body which has worked to promote our core values while working to build a world that promotes peace and respects human rights for all.”
Congresswoman Lee was joined by Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Member, Congressman Eliot Engel; Rules Committee Ranking Member, Congresswoman Louise Slaughter and Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney in introducing the bill.
“I thank my colleagues, Ranking Members Engel and Slaughter and Congresswoman Maloney for joining me on this important bill,” added Congresswoman Lee. “As we seek to create a more just and free world, the IPU remains a critical institution and I look forward to this bill’s rapid passage.”
Then-Senator John Kerry included a provision, in the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 2012 and 2013 (S. 1426), to authorize the Secretary of State to facilitate the readmission and participation of the U.S. into the IPU.