Gillibrand Announces Key Senate Panel Approves Bill to Provide Accountability for Post-Earthquake Relief Effortsor Post-Earthquake Relief Efforts in Haiti in Haiti

Press Release

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) today announced that a key Senate panel has passed a bill that would hold U.S. agencies accountable for the aid sent to Haiti. The bill also directs the President to report on the progress of humanitarian, reconstruction, and long-term development efforts in Haiti, including efforts to prevent the spread of cholera and treat persons infected with the disease. The bill, which passed out of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, now heads to the Senate floor for a full vote likely to happen next month.

"We must not let up on our pledge to help rebuild Haiti," said Senator Gillibrand. "Even as the people of Haiti have made great strides, there is still much more work to be done. I will continue to work with my colleagues to hold U.S. and international efforts accountable in the rebuilding process. We stand in unity with the Haitian people and remain steadfast in our mission to see Haiti overcome, recover, and succeed."

The Assessing Progress in Haiti Act, which Senator Gillibrand co-sponsored earlier this year, would require the President to report to Congress on several elements of U.S.-supported Haiti reconstruction projects, including the extent to which U.S. efforts are in line with the government of Haiti's priorities and in coordination with Haitian ministries and local authorities. Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke introduced a similar measure in the House of Representatives.

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