Jacobs Amendments On Peacekeeping And Human Rights Added To The America Competes Act

Statement

This week, the House of Representatives will consider The America Creating Opportunities for Manufacturing Pre-Eminence in Technology and Economic Strength (America COMPETES) Act of 2022, H.R. 4521. The COMPETES Act is a comprehensive package to improve supply chains, encourage more American manufacturing, and strengthen our global competitiveness and diplomatic efforts.

Following floor consideration Thursday, the COMPETES Act includes two amendments submitted by Congresswoman Sara Jacobs (D-CA-53) to improve U.S. support for United Nations Peacekeeping and to bolster human rights vetting for security assistance programs. The amendments from Congresswoman Jacobs were adopted via a floor vote.

The Jacobs amendments are:

Amendment #122 (U.S. Commitment to Peacekeeping Act): Repeals the 25% cap on U.S. contributions to the UN's Peacekeeping operations upon written commitment from the Under-Secretary-General of Peace Operations to engage regularly with the United States on peacekeeping reforms. This amendment was co-led with Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Tom Malinowski (NJ-7), Karen Bass (CA-37), David Cicilline (RI-1), Ilhan Omar (MN-5), Gwen Moore (WI-4), Juan Vargas (CA-51), Dina TItus (NV-1), Mondaire Jones (NY-17), and Dean Phillips (MN-3).

Amendment #123: Ensures the security assistance authorized in this bill is not provided to recipients who have engaged in patterns of gross violations of human rights. This amendment was co-led with Rep. Susan Wild (PA-7).

Congresswoman Jacobs releases the following statement:

"If we want to be leaders on the global stage, we must be committed to international institutions and to human rights. Boosting America's competitiveness and global leadership also means strengthening our diplomacy, supporting UN peacekeeping efforts, and showing a steadfast commitment to human rights. I am proud to have two amendments added to the COMPETES Act, including my U.S. Commitment to Peacekeeping Act, which will help restore our credibility at the UN and reduce global conflict risk, and my amendment to ensure human rights vetting in our security assistance.

"I applaud Speaker Pelosi for making sure that the House of Representatives is moving forward with a comprehensive legislative package to improve our global standing, address supply chain issues, encourage more American manufacturing, and employ smart and effective tools to compete with the People's Republic of China."

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