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Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL)  joined Senators Jim Risch (R-ID), Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) in introducing a resolution recognizing the 9^th Summit of the Americas and reaffirming the United States’ commitment to a more prosperous, secure, and democratic hemisphere.

“Ahead of the 9^th Summit of the Americas, the second in our history to be hosted by the U.S., I’m proud to co-lead this resolution reaffirming our nation’s commitment to a more secure, prosperous, and democratic region,” Rubio said. “As our hemisphere confronts the largest humanitarian crisis in modern history, it is important that democratic leaders and governments in the Western Hemisphere discuss challenges and opportunities as well as commit to actions to strengthen and stabilize our region.” 

“As the United States prepares to host the 9th Summit of the Americas, we must recommit ourselves to the promotion of economic and political freedom for all in the Western Hemisphere,” Risch said. “This summit offers a unique opportunity for democratically-elected leaders of the Americas to support long-term policies that lead to greater economic opportunity, democratic stability, and the rule of law. Working with our regional partners, we can meet emerging challenges and curb the malign influence of undemocratic actors such as Russia, China, Cuba, and Venezuela in the region. I am glad to introduce this resolution today encouraging the administration to reaffirm these commitments at the upcoming summit.” 

“The 9^th Summit of the Americas is an opportunity for leaders across the region to reaffirm their shared values and renew their commitments to work together in addressing the hemisphere’s most pressing issues,” Menendez said. “At a time of significant challenges, from a global pandemic to democratic backsliding, to the largest humanitarian crisis the region has seen, it is imperative that countries strengthen their cooperation in the pursuit of a safer and more prosperous hemisphere. I am pleased to join this resolution recognizing the Summit and reaffirming the United States’ commitment to security, prosperity, and democratic governance in the Americas.”

“The Summit of the Americas is a crucial opportunity for the United States to reaffirm our commitment to the Western Hemisphere and help forge an ‘all Americas’ foreign policy,” Kaine said. “I am pleased that the United States is hosting this important dialogue again for the first time since hosting the inaugural Summit in 1994 and am proud to join my colleagues in introducing this resolution recognizing this event.”

This resolution:

• Reaffirms the United States’ commitment to promote security, economic prosperity, and democratic governance in the Americas;
• Expresses U.S. concerns about the negative influence of extra-hemispheric malign actors and widespread human rights violations in Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela;
• Calls for President Biden to ensure the summit advances hemispheric commitments to lower trade barriers, disrupt the negative influence of malign state and non-state actors, and support peaceful efforts by the people of Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela to restore democratic order in their countries.
• Cites concerns about corruption, violence, and other weak governance factors fueling mass irregular migration from Central America, and asks that the summit improve regional capacity to help northern Central America address these push factors.

The full text of the resolution is here.

Rubio and Kaine are Ranking Member and Chairman, respectively, of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Transnational Crime, Civilian Security, Democracy, Human Rights, and Global Women’s Issues.

Risch and Menendez are Ranking Member and Chairman, respectively, of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. Kaine is Chairman of the Subcommittee overseeing the Western Hemisphere.