Congresswoman Nikema Williams Passes Bipartisan Legislation to Continue the World Bank’s Pause on the Government of Burma

Remarks as prepared:

Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05): 

“I rise today in support of H.R. 4423, the bipartisan No New Burma Funds Act. This bill, which I introduced with my colleague Young Kim, would mandate that the United States use its voice and vote to continue the World Bank’s pause on disbursements and new financing commitments to the government of Burma. This pause was initiated after a military coup overthrew the democratically elected government of Burma in 2021.  

Four years ago the democratically elected leaders of Burma’s ruling party, the National League for Democracy, was overthrown by the Tatmadaw, Burma’s military. 

Since the military regime’s coup, we have seen families displaced, citizens detained without access to income, education or healthcare, and brutal violence against the Burmese civilian population.  

I center my work on my constituents and fighting for those most marginalized. And this is true with this bill. In my district alone, DeKalb County is home to over 2,000 Burmese refugees. 

In another life, prior to my congressional service, I was a public school teacher, and I had a student who was a Burmese refugee. Htet-Yet’s story was empowering and a stark reminder that not only do we have an obligation to help those no matter their zipcode, but we have a duty to help those, no matter where they are around the globe!  

This legislation gives our country another tool to put financial pressure on the Burmese government. This bill will ensure that the U.S. Executive Director at the World Bank pushes the institution to continue its pause on the disbursement of funds and new financing commitments to the government, incentivizing the Burmese government to give  power back to the most important piece of any thriving free country: the people. 

I’d like to thank Congresswoman Young Kim for co-leading this important piece of legislation with me, and Chairman Hill and Ranking Member Waters for their support of this priority.

I urge all my colleagues to support this bill, and with that, I yield back.”