U.S. Support for Myanmar Aid Could Get Boost from Suu Kyi

By Emily Cadei, CQ Staff

As House and Senate leaders prepare to present Congress’ highest award to iconic Myanmar democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi in a long-delayed ceremony Wednesday, they are also scrambling to clear legislation that would allow the United States to support financial assistance to her country.

Ultimately, the fate of that effort may depend on whether Suu Kyi gives the move her stamp of approval.

This is Suu Kyi’s first visit to the United States since she was freed in 2010 after 15 years of house arrest. Much of the attention surrounding her trip has centered on the prospect that the Obama administration will ease an existing ban on imports from Myanmar, formerly known as Burma. Permanently lifting that ban would require legislation.

While lawmakers are not prepared to go that far, there is an effort to allow new financial aid to Myanmar through international financial institutions including the World Bank, International Monetary Fund and Asian Development Bank, which are beginning to reengage with the longtime pariah state.

The World Bank is preparing to negotiate grants for community development this fall, but a 2003 law (PL 108-61) requires the United States to vote against any loans or other programs for Myanmar.

The administration initially hoped to get a relaxation of the financial aid prohibition into the continuing resolution (H J Res 117) the House passed last week, but the language did not come together in time. Now, administration officials are working with leaders in both chambers to pass a stand-alone bill before Congress recesses at the end of the week.

House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., put the bill sponsored by Ed Royce, R-Calif., on Wednesday’s agenda for action on the House floor, where it could be considered under suspension of the rules. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., who sponsored the 2003 law, is spearheading efforts in the Senate. Senior senators in both parties will support the bill if it comes over from the House, according to aides.

But it’s not clear the legislation has enough support in the House to win the two-thirds majority vote needed for passage under expedited procedures. Joseph Crowley, D-N.Y., a longtime advocate of democracy in Myanmar, said he is reserving judgment on the legislation until after his meeting with Suu Kyi on Wednesday.

Crowley, who sponsored the 2008 House bill authorizing the award of the Congressional Gold Medal to Suu Kyi, said he has consulted with her before every step forward on sanctions. “I’m optimistic,” Crowley said of the country’s recent moves to hold parliamentary elections, free political prisoners, and open up its economy. “But I don’t want to be irrational about it.”

Crowley said he does not support repealing the import ban, which includes a waiver to give the president flexibility.

Suu Kyi was asked Tuesday about a possible move to lift the import ban. “I do support the easing of sanctions,” she said at an event hosted by the congressionally funded U.S. Institute for Peace think tank, “because I think our people must start taking responsibility for our own destiny.” She did not, however, directly endorse lifting the restrictions on international financial institutions.

“We are very, very grateful for the fact that sanctions were instituted in the past, it helped us greatly,” Suu Kyi said.

Now, however, “we should not depend on U.S. sanctions to keep up the momentum for democracy,” she said. “There are very many other ways the United States can help us achieve our democratic ends.”