Democratic members of Congress are urging Republicans to release millions of dollars to send aid to curb the crisis plaguing Haiti.
U.S. Rep. Yvette Clarke, D-N.Y., told theGrio that the only way the U.S. will bring stability to Haiti is by “providing resources that they need [at] this moment.”
“Delay in providing this funding enables the gangs to continue to terrorize and destabilize the country,” said Clarke, who is co-chair of the House Haiti Caucus.
In a statement obtained by theGrio, U.S. Rep. Steven Horsford, D-Nev., said the funding is “critical to protecting the Haitian people from violent crime.”
The Congressional Black Caucus chairman believes the funding will help create “an environment for Haitian self-determination.”
Last week, House Minority Leader, U.S. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., sent a letter to House Speaker, Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La., stating that House Republicans’ refusal to deliver monetary resources “is not in America’s national security interests.”
In October 2023, the Biden-Harris administration pledged to give $300 million toward the Multinational Security Support Mission, an effort led by Kenya to bring stability to Haiti. Following that announcement, the State Department requested $50 million from Congress, which then released $10 million.
The State Department is now demanding the remaining funds. However, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, and Senate Foreign Relations Committee ranking member Rep. Jim Risch, R-Idaho, are blocking the aid.
Clarke told theGrio that although she has not spoken with her Republican colleagues about their refusal to release the monetary aid, she said the sentiment is that they do not want to invest monetary aid money to improve a “bad” situation.
“Right now, we’re talking about a humanitarian crisis of epic proportions,” said Clarke.
“My hope is that we can get this funding … [and] bring…
Read the full article here
