U.S. Rep. Adam Smith (WA-09) today joined his colleagues to pass legislation addressing the massive humanitarian crisis in Sudan:
- H.R. 3127, the Darfur Peace and Accountability Act of 2006, passed last night in the House of Representatives.
- H. Res. 992, which urged the President to appoint a Presidential Special Envoy for Sudan, passed tonight by a vote of 414 to 3.
- H. Res. 723, which called on the President to take immediate steps to help improve the security situation in Darfur, Sudan, with a specific emphasis on civilian protection, passed tonight by a vote of 412 to 7.
Smith was instrumental in passing these measures. As a member of the House International Relations Committee, he cosponsored all three pieces of legislation and voted to pass them in committee and on the House floor.
“The United States must continue leading the international effort to end the atrocities in Darfur,” Smith said. “More must be done soon to stop the violence, but these measures are good steps in the right direction. Taken together, they will increase pressure on the Sudanese government to accept an expanded U.N. peacekeeping force.”
Today’s outcome builds on Smith’s previous successful fight to pass the House version of the Darfur Peace and Accountability Act in April. The bill builds on the Sudan Peace Act of 2004 by strengthening sanctions on those responsible for the atrocities in the Darfur region of Sudan. It also authorizes more funds for peacekeeping and humanitarian efforts. The measure adopted by the House last night was the final conference version, which must now be signed by the President before it becomes law. By contrast, H. Res. 992 and H. Res. 773 are House resolutions, which do not require consideration by a conference committee or signature by the President.