Legislation authorizes $2 billion over two years
Washington, D.C.---Under the leadership of Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) and Senator Bob Corker (R-TN), ranking Republican on the subcommittee on international development and foreign assistance, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee today approved bipartisan legislation that would support the rebuilding of Haiti following the devastation of the January 12, 2010, earthquake.
The Kerry-Corker Haiti Empowerment, Assistance and Rebuilding (HEAR) Act of 2010 authorizes $2 billion dollars over two years to support the rebuilding of Haiti in partnership with the Government and people of Haiti. The legislation directs the U.S. Agency for International Development to develop a comprehensive rebuilding and development strategy for Haiti, establishes a policy framework to ensure U.S. assistance efforts will strategically address critical priorities, and establishes a Senior Haiti Policy Coordinator, responsible for advising, overseeing, and coordinating U.S. policy toward Haiti.
“This legislation is an important signal to President Preval and the Government of Haiti that the United States is committed to helping Haiti rebuild in a way that leaves it better off and better prepared. We urge the full Senate to take this legislation up quickly to enact these measures into law,” said Chairman Kerry. “It is our duty as neighbors and, frankly, as fellow human beings to fully support the country’s sustainable recovery and rebuilding.”
“This bill provides an approach based on benchmarks and accountability. It’s about investing in the long-term needs of the Haitian people through effective governance, sustainable infrastructure reconstruction, and the reliable delivery of social services. While Haiti certainly has a long road to recovery, I believe implementing our legislation could help the Haitian people with rebuilding their country and emerging stronger and more secure,” said Senator Corker, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. “I’m pleased the committee has passed this bill and hope the full Senate will do the same. The U.S. has a vested national security interest in a stable Haiti, and I believe this may be our last, best chance to finally help Haiti get it right.”
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