Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives on the continued importance of the United States-Lebanon relationship.

IV 116TH CONGRESS 2D SESSION H. RES. 1077 Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives on the continued importance of the United States-Lebanon relationship. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES JULY 31, 2020 Mr. LAHOOD (for himself, Ms. SHALALA, Mr. STIVERS, and Mr. GRAVES of Louisiana) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs RESOLUTION Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives on the continued importance of the United States-Lebanon relationship. Whereas the security, sovereignty, independence, and terri- torial integrity of Lebanon, a pluralistic democracy in the Middle East, is in the interest of the United States and its allies in the region; Whereas, for more than a decade, the United States has pro- vided robust assistance to Lebanon, including training and equipment for the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), development assistance through the Economic Support Fund (ESF), funding for schools and hospitals in Leb- anon through the American Schools and Hospitals VerDate Sep 11 2014 21:08 Jul 31, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR1077.IH HR1077 pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS 2 •HRES 1077 IH Abroad (ASHA) Program, and funding for the U.S.-Mid- dle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI); Whereas the integrity and independence of the LAF serves a United States national security interest; Whereas the LAF has been a critical stabilizing force in Leb- anon with a longstanding partnership with the United States military; Whereas the United States has provided over $1,000,000,000 in foreign military and security assistance to the LAF; Whereas the LAF, as the primary institution entrusted with Lebanon’s defense, security, and sovereignty, is an impor- tant force to support the safety and security of Lebanon; Whereas international support for the United Nations In- terim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) remains necessary to counteract destabilizing forces in Lebanon and help lower tensions at the Lebanon-Israel border; Whereas UNIFIL has been effective in facilitating tripartite dialogues between the Lebanese and Israeli military offi- cials and in conducting numerous border patrols in part- nership with the LAF, to deescalate the possibilities of ‘‘unintended consequences leading to violent conflict’’; Whereas United States support for American institutions in Lebanon through programs such as ASHA, MEPI, and ESF assistance are vital for fostering democratic ideals and principles throughout Lebanon; Whereas Lebanon hosts an estimated 1,500,000 refugees, a population equal to almost one-third of its native popu- lation and the highest refugee-per-capita ratio in the world, despite challenges within its own social and eco- nomic sectors; VerDate Sep 11 2014 21:08 Jul 31, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR1077.IH HR1077 pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS 3 •HRES 1077 IH Whereas Hezbollah alongside corrupt elites have taken advan- tage of the Lebanese economy, government, and its citi- zens; Whereas Iran seeks to eliminate Lebanon’s sovereignty and its history as a strong United States ally and democratic actor in the Middle East; Whereas Hezbollah continues to harm the Lebanese people by violating United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701 (2006), perpetuating undue foreign influence from Iran, harming the distinct demographic and social equi- librium of Lebanon, stoking sectarian violence, weakening the Lebanese economy, and supporting corruption and vi- olence within Lebanon; Whereas corruption in the Lebanese public sector remains unchecked, despite calls for efforts to combat corruption in all government and social society sectors; Whereas the harmful politicization of the independent judici- ary in Lebanon is untenable and is being met with strong disagreement by the Lebanese people and international actors; and Whereas respect for the rule of law and democratic principles of an independent and free press, long supported in Leb- anon, must persist at the highest levels: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 1 (1) notes that the United States provides assist- 2 ance to the people of Lebanon in order to support 3 services and security for Lebanese citizens, particu- 4 larly to counter the growing influence and negative 5 impact of Hezbollah and other destabilizing actors; 6 VerDate Sep 11 2014 21:08 Jul 31, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\HR1077.IH HR1077 pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS 4 •HRES 1077 IH (2) encourages the Government of Lebanon to 1 work actively to combat corruption in government, 2 execute structural reforms and anticorruption meas- 3 ures, and work with international financial institu- 4 tions like the International Monetary Fund and 5 World Bank to undertake necessary reforms in order 6 to stabilize the economy; 7 (3) calls on the Lebanese Government to secure 8 the safety, freedom of movement, and access for 9 United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon troops 10 and mitigate any destabilizing effects on Lebanon 11 and while supporting robust enforcement of United 12 Nations Security Council Resolution 1701; 13 (4) supports the right of the people of Lebanon 14 to engage in peaceful demonstration and assembly to 15 achieve accountability in government, democratic po- 16 litical representation, increased civil rights, and 17 anticorruption reforms; 18 (5) recognizes the Lebanese Armed Forces 19 (LAF) as the sole institution entrusted with the de- 20 fense of the sovereignty of Lebanon and supports 21 strengthening United States partnerships with the 22 LAF to prevent terrorist groups such as Hezbollah, 23 ISIS, and Al Qaeda from gaining influence in Leb- 24 anon; and 25 VerDate Sep 11 2014 21:08 Jul 31, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\HR1077.IH HR1077 pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS 5 •HRES 1077 IH (6) recognizes the role of Lebanon and its insti- 1 tutions, such as an independent judiciary, free press, 2 and multidenominational, representative government 3 as historic examples of democratic values in the Mid- 4 dle East and expresses support for the continuation 5 of democracy and democratic ideals in Lebanon. 6 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 21:08 Jul 31, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\HR1077.IH HR1077 pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS