Peter King: “as the lead republican sponsor, I rise today in full support of the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act. Two months ago…”

“as the lead republican sponsor, I rise today in full support of the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act. Two months ago, Burmese opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Aung San Suu Kyi was placed under house arrest by Burma's ruling junta after a bloody clash between her supporters and thugs of the military regime. For the last fifteen years, Suu Kyi has waged a struggle against one of the world's most oppressive governments. Burma's military regime has committed widespread human rights abuses, including forced labor and the use of rape as a weapon against insurgences by ethnic minorities. In addition, this regime supports international narcotic trafficking and provides a safe haven for drug traffickers targeted by the United States for prosecution. That is why I am proud to be a part of this legislation which will authorize a number of sanctions against the Burmese government and its entities, unless a series of democratic conditions are met. I urge my colleagues to support this needed measure.”