China’s Anti Secession law – Congressman McCotter cosponsored and voted to approve H.Con. Res. 98, which expresses the grave concern of Congress regarding the recent passage of the anti-secession law by the National People's Congress of the People's Republic of China. Rep. Henry Hyde (R-Ill), chairman of the House International Relations Committee, introduced the legislation, which has been referred to the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.
Background: The concurrent resolution declares the sense of the Congress that: (1) the anti-secession law of the People's Republic of China (PRC) provides a legal justification for the use of force against Taiwan, altering the status quo in the region, and thus is of grave concern to the United States; (2) the President of the United States should direct all appropriate U.S. officials to reflect the grave concern with which the United States views the passage of China's anti-secession law in particular, and the growing Chinese military threats to Taiwan in general, to their counterpart officials in the Government of the PRC; and (3) the U.S. Government should reaffirm its policy that the future of Taiwan should be resolved by peaceful means and with the consent of the people of Taiwan, and continue to encourage dialogue between Taiwan and the PRC.
Removing trade restrictions on the Ukraine – Congressman McCotter is a cosponsor of H.R.885, which would remove some trade restrictions on the Ukraine, originally imposed on the Soviet Union in 1974. The legislation was introduced by Rep. Henry Hyde (R-Ill.).
Background: The sanctions were originally imposed to punish the Soviet Union for its repressive policies, and with free elections Ukraine qualifies for removal of the sanctions. The same restrictions (Jackson-Vanik amendment) have already been lifted on other former Soviet republics, including Georgia.
Protecting Human Rights – Congressman McCotter is an original cosponsor of H. Con. Res. 18, which expresses the grave concern of Congress regarding the continuing gross violations of human rights and civil liberties of the Syrian and Lebanese people by the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic. The resolution was introduced by Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fla.).
Background: The Syrian regime is one that, not only supports and facilitates terrorist attacks against innocent civilians throughout the world, but also engages in a widespread campaign of terror against its own people. Unfortunately, the gross violations of human rights are not limited to Syria’s immediate borders. The repressive apparatus also extends into neighboring Lebanon, as hundreds of Lebanese civilians are believed to have been killed or ‘disappeared’ by Syrian occupation forces or its secret police.
Accordingly, this resolution:
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Declares that Congress condemns the consistent pattern of gross human rights violations by the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic;
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Calls on the international community to adopt a resolution at the upcoming Session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights which details the dismal human rights record of Syria;
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Expresses its support for the Syrian people in their struggle for freedom, respect for human rights and civil liberties, democratic self-governance, and the establishment of the rule of law;
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Encourages the President and the Secretary of State to assist dissidents, human rights activists, and the nonviolent pro-democracy opposition in Syria; and
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Urges the adoption and pursuit of these and other policies to seek a democratic government in Syria.
Human Cloning Prohibition Act – Congressman McCotter is an original cosponsor of H.R. 534, the Human Cloning Prohibition Act of 2005. The legislation was introduced by Representatives Dave Weldon (R-Fl) and Bart Stupak (D-MI).
Background: H.R. 534 makes it unlawful to perform or attempt to perform human cloning for any purpose; to participate in an attempt to perform human cloning; or to ship or receive the product of human cloning for any purpose. Also unlawful for any person or entity, public or private, to import for any purpose the product of human cloning, i.e., cloned embryos, or any product derived from such embryos, i.e., stem cells.
Recognizing the Armenian Genocide – Congressman McCotter is a signatory to a letter from Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ) urging President Bush to recognize the Armenian Genocide.
Background: April will mark the 90th anniversary of the horrific events that occurred in the Ottoman Empire from 1915-1923, when one and a half million Armenians were killed and over 500,000 were exiled. By properly recognizing the Armenian Genocide, we can help to ensure the legacy of the Genocide is remembered so this human tragedy will not be repeated.
The United States has a proud history of helping to end the carnage that occurred and protect the survivors. The U.S. Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire at that time, Henry Morgenthau, acting on instructions from Secretaries of State William Jennings Bryan and Robert Lansing, protested the slaughter of the Armenians to the Ottoman leaders. The United States should now provide leadership in reaffirming that this terrible tragedy occurred.
Schedule – Congress is in recess for the Easter holiday and will return for business on April 4.
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