Washington—Representative Eliot L. Engel, Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs; Representative Albio Sires, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere; Senator Bob Menendez, Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations; and Senator Ben Cardin, Ranking Member of the Foreign Relations Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, today called on Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to maintain robust funding for the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.

In a letter to the Secretary, the members expressed their concern about the potential consequences of defunding the Commission. The letter is a response to reports that the Trump Administration is considering ignoring congressional intent and cutting U.S. funding for the Commission.

“Cutting or eliminating funding for the Commission at this crucial moment would derail its crucial human rights monitoring processes in countries like Nicaragua and Venezuela,” wrote the lawmakers. “The United States cannot take a back seat when it comes to human rights violations in our own neighborhood.” Read More

Related news: The Funds Available to Address the National Emergency at Our Border

ok.ok