Elijah Cummings: “Haiti today is facing an economic, political and humanitarian crisis so severe that the United States Government and the…”

“Haiti today is facing an economic, political and humanitarian crisis so severe that the United States Government and the United States Congress have no choice but to immediately act. Daily, Haitians are dying as a result of the violence. These deaths are intolerable, and the United States simply cannot sit back and watch a country in our own hemisphere spiral into chaos. Our government has voiced concern that Haitians, desperate to escape the escalating violence and poverty, will flood American shores. As a matter of fact, Mr. Speaker, just this evening there are reports that boats are coming towards the United States from Haiti filled with people fleeing literally for their lives. We should be more concerned about the drastic conditions that led to the desperation and hopelessness of these Haitians refugees. The Congressional Black Caucus calls upon the President and the international community to work with the elected leadership in Haiti to bring about an end to the political turbulence and stop the attempted coup d'etat that is mounting in that country. Mr. Speaker, let me be absolutely clear. It is imperative that the United States involve itself with an international force to create stability in Haiti before more lives are lost. We cannot afford to lose another day or another life due to our inaction.”