On the recordJanuary 31, 2022
when freedom and democracy are threatened, we have a responsibility in this body of the U.S. Senate to speak up and speak out. It doesn't matter if it is a challenge here at home or if it is happening somewhere else around the globe; we cannot remain silent. For the past year, Burma has been descending into chaos, violence, and authoritarian military rule. So I have come to the floor here tonight, the anniversary of the Burmese military's illegal coup overthrowing the nation's democratically elected government, to call on all of my colleagues to join me in passing S. Res. 35, a resolution condemning this desecration of democracy in Burma and a year of atrocities that have followed, and urging our allies around the world to join us in doing so. I also urge this body to pass the BURMA Act, which will give President Biden the tools he needs to apply pressure to try to reverse this coup and help restore democracy. For those who are not aware of the situation in Burma, a year ago, the people of Burma took to the streets. They engaged in general strikes to peacefully protest the military's overthrow of their fledgling democracy. One woman who was part of the General Strike Committee--one of the main groups behind the protests--said she was participating because ``I have a little girl. She's one . . .…





