[Pages H4536-H4538]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR MOLDOVA'S DEMOCRACY, INDEPENDENCE, AND
TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY AND STRENGTHENING UNITED STATES AND MOLDOVA
RELATIONS

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to
the resolution (H. Res. 833) expressing support for Moldova's
democracy, independence, and territorial integrity and strengthening
United States and Moldova relations, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:

H. Res. 833

Whereas the Republic of Moldova gained independence from
the Soviet Union in 1991;
Whereas the United States established diplomatic relations
with Moldova on February 18, 1992, and the 2 countries have
since enjoyed expanded and positive relations;
Whereas United States assistance to Moldova and the
Strategic Dialogue between the United States and Moldova,
which was launched on March 3, 2014, has strengthened the
relationship between the 2 countries and focused on advancing
shared interests in democracy, good governance, rule of law,
anticorruption, energy independence, economic development,
and security cooperation;
Whereas Congress and State and local communities have a
history of engaging with Moldovan young leaders, civil
society, and Members of Parliament through official
exchanges;
Whereas Moldova ratified an association agreement
containing comprehensive free trade provisions with the
European Union in 2014 and the agreement became fully
effective in July 2016;
Whereas Moldova's main trading partner is the European
Union;
Whereas Moldova is a member of the European Union's Eastern
Partnership;
Whereas since the Russian Federation's unprovoked full-
scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, Moldova has
opened its border to refugees fleeing Ukraine;
Whereas, on March 3, 2022, Moldova submitted an application
to become a member of the European Union;
Whereas the Moldovan 2020 Presidential and 2021
parliamentary elections resulted in a government with a
mandate to fight corruption, reinvigorate economic reforms,
enhance judicial independence, revitalize European
integration efforts, and strengthen relations with the United
States;
Whereas, in November 2020, Moldova elected its first female
President, Maia Sandu, and since August 6, 2021, women serve
as both Moldova's head of state and head of government;
Whereas according to the Organization for Security and
Cooperation in Europe's Office for Democratic Institutions
and Human Rights, the most recent elections were ``well
administered, competitive and fundamental freedoms were
largely respected'';
Whereas in a judgment in 2004, the European Court of Human
Rights found that Moldova's separatist region of Transnistria
was created with the support of the Government of the Russian
Federation and considered it ``under the effective authority
or at least decisive influence'' of the Kremlin;
Whereas the United States supports the sovereignty and
territorial integrity of Moldova and on that basis
participates as an observer in the ``5+2'' negotiations to
find a comprehensive settlement that will provide a special
status for Transnistria within Moldova's internationally
recognized borders;
Whereas the Government of the Russian Federation maintains
a contingent of military forces and a stockpile of military
equipment and ammunition within the Transnistrian region
constituting an occupation of Moldovan territory and a
violation of Moldova's territorial sovereignty;
Whereas the Council of Europe, the Organization for
Security and Co-operation in Europe Mission to Moldova, and
the Government of Moldova have called upon the Kremlin to
remove its troops from the territory of Moldova;
Whereas, in July 2017, the Moldovan Parliament adopted a
declaration calling on the Kremlin to withdraw its troops
from Moldova;
Whereas, on September 22, 2021, Moldovan President Maia
Sandu addressed the United Nations General Assembly and
called for the Kremlin to withdraw its troops from the
Transnistrian region;
Whereas Moldova has been a valued and reliable partner in
promoting global security

[[Page H4537]]

by participating in United Nations peacekeeping missions in
the Central African Republic, Kosovo, and South Sudan,
supporting United States efforts to increase international
cooperation in combating terrorism, and providing demining
units and postconflict humanitarian assistance in Iraq;
Whereas, since 1996, Moldova's Armed Forces have
participated in the United States National Guard State
Partnership Program as a partner to the North Carolina
National Guard, which led to the creation of the Moldova-
North Carolina Bilateral Partnership, which has facilitated
cooperation in the areas of civil emergency operations,
expansion of markets, coordination of humanitarian efforts
and cultural, scientific, and academic exchanges;
Whereas Moldova cooperates with the North Atlantic Treaty
Organization through the Partnership for Peace program,
including participation in the Defense and Related Security
Capacity Building Initiative, a flagship defense reform
partnership focused on reforming and modernizing Moldova's
Armed Forces to improve expertise, interoperability, and
peacekeeping capabilities; and
Whereas, on September 21, 2021, President Biden addressed
the 76th United Nations General Assembly stating that the
democratic world ``lives in the proud Moldovans who helped
deliver a landslide victory for the forces of democracy, with
a mandate to fight graft, to build a more inclusive
economy'': Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) urges the United States Government, European Union, and
other transatlantic partners to increase cooperation,
coordination, and support for the Republic of Moldova's
democratic development, economic and energy independence, and
efforts to root out corruption;
(2) reaffirms that it is the policy of the United States to
support the sovereignty, independence, and territorial
integrity of Moldova and the inviolability of its borders;
(3) affirms Moldova's sovereign right to determine its own
partnerships free of external coercion and pressure, and
affirms Moldova's right to associate with the European Union
or any regional organization;
(4) encourages increased activity related to the Strategic
Dialogue as a means to strengthen relations between Moldova
and the United States;
(5) supports the Joint Commercial Commission between the
United States and Moldova to strengthen the bilateral trade
and investment relationship between the 2 nations and improve
Moldova's investment climate;
(6) encourages the United States Government to engage at a
leadership level to enhance United States partnerships with
the Government of Moldova and civil society organizations;
(7) encourages the Secretary of State, the Administrator of
the United States Agency for International Development, the
Chief Executive Officer of the Development Finance
Corporation, the Secretary of Energy, and the United States
Trade Representative to increase and focus assistance on
justice sector reform, strengthening democratic institutions,
promoting an open and transparent government, fostering
indigenous independent media and an open information
environment, increasing domestic energy development,
diversification of energy supplies and energy efficiency,
improving transport and communication infrastructure, as well
as the promotion of trade and investment opportunities, along
with inclusive economic growth focusing on the rural areas
beyond the capital;
(8) commends Moldova's efforts to take in Ukrainian
refugees and urges increased assistance by the United States,
European Union, and other allies and partners to Moldova to
assist with those efforts;
(9) reaffirms the importance of free, fair, and transparent
elections in Moldova;
(10) urges the Secretary of State, the Administrator of the
United States Agency for International Development, the Chief
Executive Officer of the United States Agency for Global
Media, and other heads of Federal departments and agencies to
continue to work with the Government of Moldova and Moldovan
civil society to strengthen independent media and combat
Russian disinformation and propaganda;
(11) calls upon the Government of the Russian Federation to
fulfill its commitments made at the Organization for Security
and Co-operation in Europe's Istanbul summit in 1999, and to
withdraw its military forces and munitions from within the
internationally recognized territory of Moldova;
(12) calls upon the Government of the Russian Federation to
refrain from military and economic threats to Moldova and
cease any and all actions that support the so-called
``authorities'' in the separatist region of Transnistria;
(13) supports a results-oriented 5+2 process as a
constructive format for resolving the Transnistria conflict
through a comprehensive settlement that secures Moldova's
sovereignty and territorial integrity; and
(14) affirms that lasting stability and security in Moldova
is in the strategic interest of the United States and that
these can only be achieved if the territorial integrity and
sovereignty of Moldova and all European countries are
respected.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Virginia (Mr. Connolly) and the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr.
Meuser) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Virginia.

General Leave

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and
include extraneous material on H. Res. 833, as amended.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Virginia?
There was no objection.
Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I rise today in support of H. Res. 833, which clearly champions
Moldova's push toward democracy and our common work in strengthening
our bilateral ties.
I first thank my colleague, Representative Price of North Carolina,
for drafting this important measure and his years of work on the House
Democracy Partnership.
Moldova, a small country in Europe, nested between Ukraine and
Romania, rightfully deserves our attention today. After centuries of
being fought over and by larger neighboring powers, the country is
making strides toward democracy, combating deep-seated corruption, and
moving closer to the Euro-Atlantic community.
With the Russian invasion in Ukraine, the stakes are now so much
greater. Indeed, more than 400,000 Ukrainian refugees have arrived in
tiny Moldova since February, a number that represents more than 10
percent of Moldova's own population.
Furthermore, Moldova is no stranger to malign Russian influence and
interference. Transnistria, a Kremlin-backed breakaway region in
Moldova's east, is an area of active risk. Moscow uses this wound to
manipulate fears and politics in Moldova. We are reminded of that
constant potential with the explosion in the region earlier this week
and the constant dangerous rhetoric from the so-called authorities
there.
Thankfully, despite these challenges, the Moldovan Government is in a
position to tackle them and advance an agenda to modernize and
democratize its society and its economy.
President Maia Sandu and the parliament in Moldova are ambitiously
fighting corruption and implementing needed reforms, all while
strengthening relations with the European Union and with the United
States.
The Moldovan people's good work to build a stronger democracy is
admirable and deserves our full support, especially today; and passing
this resolution, coupled with the Biden administration's highlighting
of Moldova's progress during the Summit for Democracy, sends a strong
signal that the entire United States Government stands with them.
This resolution looks to build on the momentum in this decisive
moment from Moldova, ensuring that the progress is meaningful and
sustainable. I support this resolution, and I urge all of my colleagues
to do the same.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

House of Representatives,

Committee on Foreign Affairs,

Washington, DC, April 22, 2022.
Hon. Richard Neal,
Committee on Ways and Means,
House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Neal: I am writing to you concerning H. Res.
833, Expressing support for Moldova's democracy,
independence, and territorial integrity and strengthening
United States and Moldova relation, as amended. I appreciate
your willingness to work cooperatively on this legislation.
I acknowledge that provisions of the bill fall within the
jurisdiction of the Committee on Ways and Means under House
Rule X, and that your Committee will forgo action on H. Res.
833 to expedite floor consideration. I further acknowledge
that the inaction of your Committee with respect to the bill
does not waive any future jurisdictional claim over the
matters contained in the bill that fall within your
jurisdiction. I also acknowledge that your Committee will be
appropriately consulted and involved as this or similar
legislation moves forward, and will support the appointment
of Committee on Ways and Means conferees during any House-
Senate conference convened on this legislation.
Lastly, I will ensure that our exchange of letters is
included in the Congressional Record during floor
consideration of the bill. Thank you again for your
cooperation regarding the legislation. I look forward to

[[Page H4538]]

continuing to work with you as the measure moves through the
legislative process.
Sincerely,
Gregory W. Meeks,
Chairman.
____

House of Representatives,

Committee on Ways and Means,

Washington, DC, April 25, 2022.
Hon. Gregory Meeks,
Chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs,
Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Meeks: In recognition of the desire to
expedite consideration of H. Res. 833, Expressing support for
Moldova's democracy, independence, and territorial integrity
and strengthening United States and Moldova relations, the
Committee on Ways and Means agrees to waive formal
consideration of the bill as to provisions that fall within
the rule X jurisdiction of the Committee on Ways and Means.
The Committee on Ways and Means takes this action with the
mutual understanding that we do not waive any jurisdiction
over the subject matter contained in this or similar
legislation, and the Committee will be appropriately
consulted and involved as the bill or similar legislation
moves forward so that we may address any remaining issues
within our jurisdiction. The Committee also reserves the
right to seek appointment of an appropriate number of
conferees to any House-Senate conference involving this or
similar legislation.
Finally, I would appreciate your response to this letter
confirming this understanding, and would ask that a copy of
our exchange of letter on this matter be included in the
Congressional Record during floor consideration of H. Res.
833.
Sincerely,
Richard E. Neal,
Chairman.

Mr. MEUSER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I rise today in support of H. Res. 833, which expresses support for
Moldova's democracy, independence, and territorial integrity and calls
for strengthening U.S. and Moldova relations.
Needless to say, this is an especially opportune time to consider
this resolution; not only because this year marks the 30th anniversary
of diplomatic relations between our two countries, but also given the
ongoing Russian aggression against Ukraine and the challenge it poses
to other countries in the region, including Moldova.
Moldova's humanitarian response to Russia's full-scale invasion of
Ukraine and its generosity have been truly remarkable. For example,
Moldova has accepted nearly 434,000 Ukrainian refugees. To put that
into perspective, that is around 5 percent of Moldova's entire
population.
Not only does this resolution commend Moldova's strong support for
Ukraine, but also commits the U.S. to continue to assist Moldova in
addressing the economic impacts of the crisis, its energy security, and
advancing democratic reforms.
I urge all my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution to
show that the U.S. Congress is committed to a long-term partnership
with Moldova.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my
time.
Mr. MEUSER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, in closing, I thank Representatives Price and Pfluger
for their work on this resolution.
Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine is making the whole of
Europe less secure. U.S. support for our allies and partners must
therefore extend to Ukraine's neighbors, like Moldova.
The ominous threat made by a Russian general last week that the
Kremlin aimed to seize a land bridge from the Donbas to Odesa and then
to Transnistria, the Russian-supported breakaway region in Moldova,
shows why the U.S. must pay close attention to Moldova and its
security.
Therefore, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this
resolution to demonstrate the U.S. Congress' strong support of our
friends in Moldova.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, again, I thank my friend for his bipartisan leadership
and his support for this important piece of legislation.
Again, combined with the Georgia Support Act, this resolution sends a
clear message from this body, on a bipartisan basis, that we will not
tolerate Russian aggression in Europe in 2022.
Combined with our solidarity in opposition to the tragedy unfolding
in Ukraine, it is a powerful message, backed up with, of course,
support by our government, and the bipartisan nature of this is just so
critical.
The people of Moldova, and the people of Georgia, and the people of
Ukraine, they are watching and they are listening, as we hope is
Vladimir Putin and his cronies in Moscow.
I urge support for this resolution, and I yield back the balance of
my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Connolly) that the House suspend the rules
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 833, as amended.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. ROY. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to section 3(s) of House Resolution
8, the yeas and nays are ordered.
Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further proceedings on this motion
are postponed.

____________________