Today, Congressman Andy Levin (MI-09), Vice Chair of the Asia, the Pacific, Central Asia and Nonproliferation (APCAN) Subcommittee of the House Foreign Affairs Committee introduced a resolution condemning the February 1 coup by the Burmese military (Tatmadaw) and calling for the Tatmadaw to release all political prisoners.
"The Tatmadaw ended Burma's fragile, ten-year experiment with democracy on February 1," said Rep. Levin. "While Burma struggled during that time to enfranchise its minority populations and respect their human rights, the Burmese military's decision to seize total control over the government is a tragic slide backwards. The Tatmadaw should release its political prisoners and return elected officials to their positions in government. This resolution makes clear that Congress stands with the people of Burma in their ambition for sustainable peace, a genuine democracy, and the realization of human rights for all."
This bipartisan resolution was introduced in partnership with Congressman Steve Chabot (R-OH), Ranking Member of the APCAN Subcommittee, and more than 40 original cosponsors, including House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Gregory Meeks (D-NY), Ranking Member Michael McCaul (R-TX) and APCAN Subcommittee Chairman Ami Bera (D-CA).
Read Rep. Levin's past comments on the coup here.
Rep. Levin previously introduced a resolution with Congressman Chabot (R-OH), former Congressman Eliot Engel (D-NY), Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Senator Todd Young (R-IN.) calling for free and fair elections in Burma ahead of the country's November 8, 2020 general election.
During the 116th Congress, Rep. Levin introduced legislation that would provide assistance to political prisoners in Burma. The bipartisan bill passed the House in September 2019.
A full original cosponsorship list of the resolution is below:
Jake Auchincloss (MA-04), James Baird (IN-04), Ami Bera (CA-07), Donald S. Beyer Jr. (VA-08), Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), Earl Blumenauer (OR-03), Tim Burchett (TN-02), André Carson (IN-07), Ed Case (HI-01), Steve Chabot (OH-01), David Cicilline (RI-01), Jim Costa (CA-16), Ted Deutch (FL-22), Debbie Dingell (MI-12), Anna G. Eshoo (CA-18), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), Ruben Gallego (AZ-07), Kevin Hern (OK-01), French Hill (AR-02), Ashley Hinson (IA-01), Ronny Jackson (TX-13), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Henry C. "Hank" Johnson, Jr. (GA-04), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Barbara Lee (CA13), Tom Malinowski (NJ-07), Kathy Manning (NC-06), Michael McCaul (TX-10), James P. McGovern (MA-02), Gregory Meeks (NY-05), Peter Meijer (MI-03), Blake Moore (UT-01), Stephanie Murphy (FL-07), Dan Newhouse (WA-04), Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06), David E. Price (NC-04), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Brad Sherman (CA-30), Thomas R. Suozzi (NY-03), Claudia Tenney (NY-22), Dina Titus (NV-01), Ann Wagner (MO-02), Susan Wild (PA-07), Joe Wilson (SC-02)
Source:https://andylevin.house.gov/media/press-releases/levin-introduces-resolution-condemning-coup-burma
