April 26, 2012

Senate Committee Passes Lee Legislation to Assess Progress in Haiti

Contact: Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882


Washington, D.C.  – Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) released the following statement in response to Senate Foreign Relations Committee passage of H.R. 1016 (Lee), the Assessing Progress in Haiti Act: 
 
“I am pleased that the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs today passed H.R. 1016, a bill I introduced to require the United States government to report on the status of humanitarian, reconstruction, and development efforts in Haiti in the aftermath of the tragic earthquake of January 12, 2010. 

“In the wake of the disaster, the American people and the global community rallied in solidarity with the Haitian people to provide one of the largest relief efforts in history.  Today, Senators on the Foreign Relations Committee reinforced critical U.S. support for the people of Haiti as they struggle to combat an ongoing cholera epidemic, curb post-election violence, and rebuild their neighborhoods, livelihoods, and country following the tragic earthquake.  Passage of H.R. 1016 is good policy and also reinforces our sustained solidarity with the Haitian people. 

“The Assessing Progress in Haiti Act reflects the next step in U.S. efforts and passage of this bill is critical to the long-term recovery of Haiti.  The bill requires the U.S. to assess and report on progress made, the extraordinary challenges that remain, and the areas in which improvement is greatly needed. 

“It is my hope that H.R. 1016 will next be considered and approved by the Senate in a timely fashion, so the law can be implemented and the ensuing report can provide an improved roadmap to Haitian recovery.”   

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Follow Barbara Lee on Twitter @RepBarbaraLee

Click here to learn more about the bill and to access clips of House Floor speeches on the issue