2021: Fitzpatrick Voted To Condemn The Myanmar Military Coup That
Occurred On February 1, 2021 And Call For The Release Of Coup Prisoners,
The Return Of Power To The Civilian Government And Removal Of Speech And
Travel Restrictions. In March 2021, Fitzpatrick voted for a resolution
which would, according to Congressional Quarterly, "express that the
House of Representatives condemns the Feb. 1, 2021, military coup in
Myanmar. It would condemn any attacks on civilians and call on the
Myanmar armed forces to release individuals detained as a result of the
coup; return to power all members of the civilian government; and remove
impediments on communications, expression and travel." The vote was on
passage. The House passed the resolution by a vote of 398-14. [House
Vote 97, 3/19/21;
Congressional Quarterly,
3/19/21; Congressional Actions,
H.Res.
134]
According To A Democratic Aide, House Republicans Were Concerned
Over A Provision Of The Resolution That Referenced Election
Integrity, Which Was Included Because Myanmar's Military Claimed The
Last General Election Was Fraudulent. According to The Hill, "The
Democratic aide said House Republicans had raised concerns over
language in the resolution referencing election integrity. Members
of Myanmar's ruling party, the National League for Democracy (NLD)
were deposed last month, with the military claiming that last year's
general election was invalid." [The Hill,
3/19/21]
The Resolution Encouraged The Military Junta To Release Myanmar's
Civilian Leaders From Prison And Permit Elected Officials To Return
To Their Governmental Posts. According to The Hill, "The House
resolution specifically calls on the junta to release Myanmar's
civilian leaders from detention and allow elected officials to
return to their seats in parliament." [The Hill,
3/19/21]
The Resolution Called On The President And State Department To
Urge The Civilian Government's Return To Leadership And To Address
The Oppression Of Ethnic Minorities. According to Congressional
Quarterly, "call on the president and the State Department to
encourage the return to power of civilian government and
constitutional reforms to address disenfranchisement of ethnic
minorities." [Congressional Quarterly,
3/19/21]
The Resolution Sought To Ensure U.S. Social Media Sites Would Not
Spread Disinformation About Myanmar. According to Congressional
Quarterly, "ensure platforms provided by U.S.-based social media
companies like Facebook cannot be used for disinformation campaigns
or for advocating violence against the people in Myanmar."
[Congressional Quarterly,
3/19/21]
2021: Fitzpatrick Voted To Impose Restrictions And Sanctions Towards
Myanmar Armed Forces, With Exemptions For Humanitarian Aid. In March
2021, Fitzpatrick voted for a resolution which would, according to
Congressional Quarterly, "impose various restrictions aimed at the
Myanmar armed forces and those responsible for the coup, including
targeted sanctions allowing exemptions for the delivery of humanitarian
assistance." The vote was on passage. The House passed the resolution by
a vote of 398-14. [House Vote 97,
3/19/21; Congressional
Quarterly, 3/19/21;
Congressional Actions, H.Res.
134]