March 12, 2024

The Honorable Mike Johnson
Speaker, U.S. House of Representatives
H-232, The Capitol

Speaker Johnson:

I write to you about the humanitarian catastrophe currently taking place in Haiti, which represents both a human rights emergency and a pressing threat to security and stability across the Western Hemisphere.

Recognizing the imperative to engage with our Caribbean neighbors on issues related to our geopolitical and national security, I was honored to lead a bipartisan Congressional delegation to participate in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Heads of Government Conference last summer. It became all the more evident there that our collective future will be safer and more prosperous because of the multilateral partnerships that bind CARICOM and our Hemisphere together.

Amid the rising unrest in Haiti, CARICOM nations have worked with Haitian stakeholders to chart a responsible course toward political transition and, eventually, free and fair elections. In order to create the security environment necessary for Haitian self-determination and to protect the Haitian people from growing violent crime, the Biden-Harris administration has supported the creation of a Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission. 

The government of Kenya has admirably stepped up to facilitate the MSS with support from nations like Canada, Germany, France, Spain and Benin. It is imperative that the United States ensures they have the resources to complete the mission. However, months have passed since Secretary Antony Blinken notified Chairman Michael McCaul of his intent to support the MSS effort. The situation on the ground in Haiti has rapidly deteriorated while House Republicans have refused to deliver the resources necessary to carry out this mission. Now is the time to release the full $50 million in security support.

It is not in America’s national security interests to hold up the transfer of funds that support security stabilization in Haiti, particularly given the present crisis on the ground. Secretary Blinken has heeded the urgency of recent events and joined regional leaders in Jamaica this week to tackle the crisis. As you know, Prime Minister Ariel Henry announced his intent to resign on March 12 and criminal violence continues to grow. Congress must join the Biden administration in their crucial work and meet the moment by fulfilling our essential responsibility to ensure security in the Western Hemisphere and release the full $50 million funding allocation forthwith.

Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter.

Sincerely,

Hakeem Jeffries
Democratic Leader