REP LIEU AND SEN CARDIN LEAD BICAMERAL RESOLUTION SUPPORTING REFUGEES WORLDWIDE
WASHINGTON – Today, on World Refugee Day, Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D-Los Angeles County) and Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, were joined by 58 of their House colleagues and 22 of their Senate colleagues in introducing a resolution that reaffirms the United States’ commitment to supporting refugees and displaced persons across the world. The resolution reasserts the importance of the United States’ role in promoting the health, safety, and well-being of refugees – including children – as they flee conflict and persecution.
“At the end of 2023, there were nearly 118 million displaced people worldwide, according to the UN Refugee Agency,” said Rep. Lieu. “That’s close to 118 million individuals who’ve been forcibly uprooted due to violence, persecution, human rights violations, or other dangers. At a time when the number of refugees is rising globally and numerous wars persist across the world, the United States must stand firm in our commitment to defend democracy and human rights. I’m honored to introduce our World Refugee Day resolution with Chairman Cardin, 22 Senators and 58 House Members to reaffirm our support for the brave and heroic refugees who’ve risked so much in pursuit of freedom and happiness for themselves and their families. Whether they’re fleeing conflict in the Middle East, Eastern Europe, South America, Africa or elsewhere, refugees deserve to live freely and safely.”
“We are facing a global displacement crisis,” said Chair Cardin. “There are roughly 120 million people who have been forcibly displaced around the world, including more than 31 million refugees that have fled their countries. United States leadership in responding with humanitarian assistance and ensuring protections for refugees and displaced persons is a testament to our own history and a demonstration of moral leadership. On this World Refugee Day, our resolution honors the aspirations and contributions of refugees globally. The United States’ long history of welcoming people who have been oppressed or persecuted has made us a stronger nation. We must continue to work with our partners to resolve conflicts, respond to natural disasters, hold human rights abusers accountable, and address situations like climate change that contribute to displacement so that refugees and other displaced people may return home and live in peace and prosperity.”
Joining Congressman Lieu and Senator Cardin in cosponsoring the legislation in the House were Representatives Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Gerry Connolly (D-VA), Suzan DelBene (D-WA), Betty McCollum (D-MN), Bennie Thompson (D-MS), James McGovern (D-MA), Jesús G. "Chuy" García (D-IL), Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Troy Carter (D-LA), Jill Tokuda (D-HI), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Norma J. Torres (D-CA), Shri Thanedar (D-MI), Sara Jacobs (D-CA), Kevin Mullin (D-CA), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO), Nikema Williams (D-GA), Dan Goldman (D-CA), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Sylvia Garcia (D-TX), David Trone (D-MD), Delia Ramirez (D-IL), Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), Al Green (D-TX), Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA), Yvette Clarke (D-NY), Lori Trahan (D-MA), Nanette Barragán (D-CA), Adriano Espaillat (D-NY), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Henry Johnson (D-GA), Gabe Amo (D-RI), Madeleine Dean (D-PA), Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX), Steve Cohen (D-TN), Cori Bush (D-MO), Jennifer McClellan (D-VA), Dwight Evans (D-PA), Mark Pocan (D-WI), Jonathan Jackson (D-IL), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Alma Adams (D-NC), Judy Chu (D-CA), Doris Matsui (D-CA), Ro Khanna (D-CA), Nydia M. Velazquez (D-NY), Daniel Kildee (D-MI), Paul Tonko (D-NY), Katie Porter (D-CA), Summer Lee (D-PA), Joyce Beatty (D-OH), Teresa Leger Fernandez (D-NM), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA), Gwen Moore (D-WI) and Dina Titus (D-NV).
Also joining Congressman Lieu and Senator Cardin in the Senate were Senators Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawai’i), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.).
The World Refugee Day resolution is endorsed by Church World Service, International Rescue Committee, Jesuit Refugee Service/USA, Hebrew International Aid Society, Human Rights First, Haitian Bridge Alliance, Talent Beyond Boundaries, Center for Gender & Refugee Studies, Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice, International Refugee Assistance Project, Muslim Advocates, Bethany Christian Services, Sisters of Mercy of the Americas – Justice Team, Refugee Council USA, Refugee Congress, Rainbow Railroad, Community Sponsorship Hub, RefugePoint, U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants, National Partnership for New Americans, Alight, The Advocates for Human Rights, Wind of the Spirit Immigrant Resource Center, Union for Reform Judaism, Center for Victims of Torture, World Relief, Freedom Network USA
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