July 22, 2010
Baucus Comment on Senate Passage of Burma Sanctions
MEMORANDUM
To: Reporters and Editors
From: Scott Mulhauser and Erin Shields
for Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.)
Re: Baucus Comment on Senate Passage of Burma Sanctions
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) issued the following comment today applauding Senate action to renew import restrictions contained in the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act of 2003.
“As long as the Burmese junta continues to oppress its people and violate human rights, the United States should continue to join our trading partners in standing up for the Burmese people,” Baucus said. “The sanctions we renewed today will continue to pressure the Burmese junta to end these human rights abuses and finally allow the Burmese people to choose their leaders in a fair election.”
Since 1988, Burma has been ruled by an autocratic military regime known as the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC). The U.S. State Department reports that the SPDC maintains its power by suppressing opposition groups, severely limiting freedom of speech and other personal freedoms of the Burmese people, committing gross human rights violations and interfering with the judiciary.
The Senate passed H.J. Resolution 83 today, approving the renewal of import restrictions contained in the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act of 2003 for an additional year, by a vote of 99-1. The resolution renews the existing import ban on Burmese products into the United States, which Congress first imposed in 2003. The resolution was passed by the House of Representatives earlier this month and will now go to the President for his signature.
Legislative Text of H.J. Resolution 83 is available on the Finance Committee website at: http://finance.senate.gov/legislation/download/?id=26ea557c-60c8-455b-acb3-ffb2eba44821.
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