The first-ever bipartisan Burma Caucus debuts in the House of Representatives, aiming to intensify pressure on the Myanmar (Burma) Junta.
Representative Betty McCollum (D-MN) and Representative Bill Huizenga (R-MI) have co-established the first-ever “Burma Caucus” on February 1, 2024, formally launching it on July 27th, 2024 at an event hosted by the Caucus at the Rayburn House Building.
Rep. McCollum represents Minnesota's 4th district, while Rep. Huizenga represents Michigan's 4th district. It is unsurprising that McCollum and Huizenga would be interested in Myanmar, considering that Minnesota is home to over 25,000 Americans of Burmese heritage, and Michigan boasts larger population of people of Burmese descent, exceeding 39,000.
The caucus comprises fifteen members, including twelve Democrats and three Republicans. According to the Campaign for a New Myanmar, current members include Ami Bera (D-CA), Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Julia Brownley (D-CA), Ted Lieu (D-CA), Joe Neguse (D-CO), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-WDC), André Carson (D-IN), Seth Moulton (D-MA), Jamie Raskin (D-MD), Congresswoman Dina Titus (D-NV), Claudia Tenney (R-NY), Brian Babin (R-TX), and Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), in addition to the two co-chairs.
The objective of the Caucus is “to bolster congressional support for the Burmese people in their fight for democracy and human rights against the brutal military junta.” During the launch event, Congressman Huizenga acknowledged that global conflicts have diverted attention from the crisis in Myanmar and announced that the caucus would aim to advocate for a more effective US policy towards Myanmar. Congresswoman McCollum stressed the urgency of taking action on the Myanmar crisis in her opening remarks.
Alongside the Burma Caucus launch, Congressman Huizenga introduced H.R.8863, the Bringing Real Accountability Via Enforcement in Burma Act (BRAVE Burma Act), proposing amendments to the 2022 BURMA Act. This Bill requires the President of the United States to annually decide on imposing stronger sanctions on key Burmese entities like Myanmar Oil and Gas Enterprise, Myanmar Economic Bank, and those involved in the jet fuel sector. The Bill also mandates the Secretary of the Treasury to restrict Myanmar's influence and borrowing ability at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) while the military junta remains in power. Additionally, the Bill requires a Senate-approved Special Coordinator for Burmese Democracy at the Department of State to devise a strategy for using US diplomatic efforts to promote human rights and restore civilian governance in Myanmar.
The launch event was attended by U Aung Myo Min, the Minister of Human Rights, and U Moe Zaw Oo, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the National Unity Government of Myanmar (NUG).The NUG is a people-supported parallel government formed by elected lawmakers and activists opposing the military junta. It represents the ousted civilian government, including members of the National League for Democracy and various ethnic and civil society groups. The NUG has recently opened a representative office in Washington DC indicating its engagement with the US government. Minister Aung Myo Min called for enhanced support for communication and civilian protection, such as an early warning system, effective sanctions on banks aiding the military, recognition of the NUG, unfreezing $1 billion of Myanmar's assets in the US to benefit the NUG, imposing arms and jet fuel embargoes, pressuring ASEAN for concrete actions beyond the 5-point consensus, and increasing humanitarian aid for Myanmar while isolating the military regime. Deputy Minister U Moe Zaw Oo highlighted the urgency of Myanmar's current crisis and warned against the junta potentially turning Myanmar into another North Korea.
Aung (pseudonym), a Burmese student who recently sought Temporarily Protected Status in the US, told the East-West Center in Washington that they felt the international community hasn’t been listening to the voices of Myanmar’s citizens, who suffer at the hands of the junta regime. "More efficient and rapid actions from the international community will save lives from the brutal military," Aung said. "Like the people in Gaza and Ukraine, many Burmese people are also suffering from the atrocities of the brutal military every day. Please don’t neglect us." Aung hopes that the Burma Caucus in the US Congress can bring the necessary help to the suffering people of Myanmar.
However, the Burma Caucus and the BRAVE Burma Act might have to face several challenges. The Bill is still in its early stages, having just been introduced in the House and referred to the House Committees on the Judiciary, Financial Services, and Foreign Affairs on June 27, 2024. It must navigate several legislative steps before becoming law. For many Burmese people enduring the daily atrocities of the military junta, developments from Capitol Hill might seem slow. Nonetheless, the establishment of the Burma Caucus signifies increased attention to the Myanmar crisis among US policymakers.
Nyan is a Young Professional Intern at the East-West Center in Washington, DC. Currently, he is a rising junior majoring in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE) at Parami University.