Washington, DC – Today, Representatives Gregory W. Meeks, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Albio Sires, Chair of the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, Michael McCaul, House Foreign Affairs Committee Lead Republican, and Mark Green, Ranking Member of the Western Hemisphere Subcommittee, issued the following statements after their bipartisan resolution urging the Government of El Salvador to respect the country’s democratic institutions, H.Res.408, passed the House Foreign Affairs Committee on a voice vote:
Chairman Meeks: “President Bukele’s decision to remove five constitutional court judges and the Attorney General inflicted a serious blow to El Salvador’s democracy. I still believe in the strong bond between the United States and El Salvador and will continue working with the Salvadoran people, the U.S. government and the international community to address this worrisome backsliding. Today, the U.S. Congress took an important, bipartisan step to condemn these attacks against democratic institutions and continue to urge the Salvadoran Government to reverse course, restore constitutional order, and pursue an inclusive and democratic governing agenda.”
Chair Sires: “The removal of five constitutional court judges and the Attorney General on May 1st was a huge setback for El Salvador’s democracy. The people of the United States and El Salvador share deep bonds that transcend any one president or administration and the United States has a national security interest in combatting corruption and strengthening the rule of law in El Salvador. I applaud Representatives McCaul, Meeks, and Green for working with me on this important resolution. Its swift, unanimous passage by the Foreign Affairs Committee reflects bipartisan condemnation of the recent attacks on judicial independence in El Salvador and widespread agreement in the U.S. Congress that the Salvadoran Government must respect the separation of powers.”
Lead Republican McCaul: “The relationship with El Salvador must be grounded in our common goals of economic development and promoting security. Yet the dismissal of the constitutional court judges and Attorney General undermines El Salvador’s judicial independence and the separation of powers, necessary components for a healthy democracy. I’m proud to join my colleagues in this bipartisan effort to promote and advance the rule of law.”
Ranking Member Green: “The government of El Salvador must respect the country’s democratic institutions. Our bipartisan resolution is a crucial first step to strengthen the rule of law in El Salvador and make clear that threatening elected officials, the judicial process, and the freedom of the press will not be tolerated. The United States stands with the people of El Salvador in countering corruption within its government and strengthening democracy in the country.”
Full text of the resolution can be found here, along with the list of all 29 bipartisan cosponsors.
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