The House of Representatives has passed H.R. 4423, known as the No New Burma Funds Act. The bipartisan bill is led by Representatives Young Kim of California’s 40th district and Nikema Williams of Georgia’s 5th district. Its purpose is to prevent U.S. taxpayer-backed international financing from supporting Burma’s military junta, the Tatmadaw.
Under this legislation, the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury must direct the United States Executive Director at the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) to maintain a pause on disbursements and new financing commitments to Burma’s government. This pause will remain until conditions in Burma improve enough for it to be lifted.
Representative Young Kim said, “For nearly five years, the Tatmadaw has terrorized Burmese civilians through violence, oppression, and fear. U.S. taxpayer-dollars have no place financing an illegitimate foreign military that terrorizes civilians, holds sham elections, and serves as a proxy for China and Russia,” adding, “I’m proud to see the House work in a bipartisan way to keep this pressure in place and stand firmly with the people of Burma. I urge the Senate to move quickly so we can get this across the finish line.”
Young Kim currently represents California’s 40th district in Congress after replacing Gil Cisneros in 2021. She previously served in the California State Assembly from 2014 to 2016 and graduated from the University of Southern California with a BBA in 1985. Born in Incheon, South Korea in 1962, she now lives in La Habra.
