Senators Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Strengthen U.S. Response to Situation in Burma, Hold Burmese Military Junta Accountable for Rampant Abuses

WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Todd Young (R-Ind.), joined by U.S. Senators Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), introduced bipartisan legislation to strengthen the U.S. response to the current situation in Burma, including by cracking down on the repressive Burmese military junta as its ongoing violence and gross violations of human rights worsen the humanitarian disaster in Burma and the region. Building on the 2022 BURMA Act, the Bringing Real Accountability Via Enforcement in (BRAVE) Burma Act blocks funding to the junta by authorizing stronger sanctions on the entities that finance its operations and strengthens mechanisms to implement these sanctions while countering the growing influence of China and Russia in the region.

"The Burmese military junta has devastated the country through a relentless campaign of bloodshed, repression, and persecution of vulnerable communities. This bipartisan legislation will strengthen our ability to starve the junta of the resources that finance its reign of terror and, in turn, support future peace and democracy for the people of Burma," said Senator Van Hollen, who urged Secretary of State Marco Rubio in December to use the United States' leverage to help end the junta's violence and support a path toward democratic governance in Burma.

"The United States should do more to protect the Burmese people from the oppression being committed by the military junta," said Senator Young. "This legislation will help cut off the primary source of funding that is making it possible for airstrikes to be conducted against Burmese civilians. Indiana is home to one of the largest Burmese communities in America, and I stand with the people of Burma as they seek the restoration of a legitimate government."

"Throughout my career, I have been proud to champion the democratic aspirations of the people of Burma. The BRAVE Burma Act comes at a particularly critical moment, as the military junta's sham elections threaten to deepen the PRC's influence in a critical region. It's as important as ever that the United States continue to lead the West in turning the screws on this oppressive regime and standing firmly with the long-suffering people of Burma," said Senator McConnell.

"I'll never forget the painful stories I heard during my travels to Burma and Bangladesh in 2017-stories of brutal crimes against humanity against Rohingya and other vulnerable communities that are part of decades of violence, discrimination, and marginalization. I remain steadfast in my belief that American action is needed to achieve lasting peace," said Senator Merkley. "Our bipartisan BRAVE Burma Act makes clear: the Burmese military's brutality will not be forgotten."

U.S. Representative Bill Huizenga (R-Mich.) leads the BRAVE Burma Act in the House of Representatives.

The BRAVE Burma Act:

• Requires the President to make an annual determination on whether to impose stronger sanctions on Burmese state-owned enterprises such as Myanma Economic Bank and foreign entities supporting the country's jet fuel sector, which are known to finance the junta's operations
• Directs the U.S. Treasury Secretary to use its leverage at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to restrict Burma's ability to borrow money from the IMF
• Establishes a Special Envoy for Burma at the State Department, at ambassador rank, responsible for coordinating all aspects of U.S. policy toward Burma - increasing focus on implementing America's diplomatic tools to help end the violence, protect human rights, and facilitate democratic governance in Burma

This legislation is supported by the Burma Research Institute and Campaign for a New Myanmar.

"I welcome and support this bill, which reflects the bipartisan congressional support for Burma. I am grateful to Senators Chris Van Hollen and Todd Young for their leadership. This legislation will help reduce the Burmese military's aerial attacks on civilians and religious sites, including Christian churches, and advance the efforts to counter the influence of China and Russia in Burma," said Zo Tum Hmung, President & CEO of the Burma Research Institute.

"Campaign for a New Myanmar deeply appreciates the work of Senators Chris Van Hollen, Todd Young, Mitch McConnell, and Jeff Merkley in introducing the BRAVE Burma Act. Through carefully targeted sanctions, the bill aims to curb the ability of the Myanmar military to access the foreign exchange, jet fuel, and weapons that it requires to remain in power. The bill also outlines and affirms U.S. policy towards Burma that maintains U.S. support for the people of Burma in their struggle against military rule and to rebuild democracy and respect for human rights in their country," said Simon Billenness, Executive Director of the Campaign for a New Myanmar.

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