LaHood seeks additional U.S. support for Lebanese people racked by Beirut explosions

Following last week’s explosions at a port in the city of Beirut, U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood (R-IL) led a bipartisan contingent of 86 congressional members in requesting increased financial support from the United States for the Lebanese people.

“I take great pride in my Lebanese heritage and the strong Lebanese American community we have in central Illinois,” said Rep. LaHood on Monday. “Humanitarian aid will help heal a country going through a tumultuous period and send a strong message that America supports a sovereign and independent Lebanon.”

Rep. LaHood and his colleagues sent an Aug. 7 letter to U.S. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo urging him to continue deploying needed humanitarian relief for the Lebanese people and to support the multilateral efforts already underway to address the impacts of the Beirut explosions, which according to preliminary estimates killed at least 100 people and injured more than 4,000.

“We support the decision of the U.S. Agency for International Development to provide approximately $15 million in immediate humanitarian assistance,” the lawmakers wrote. “However, given the economic and public health challenges already facing Lebanon, we urge you to consider additional support to address the immediate humanitarian crisis facing the country, aid in the recovery effort — including medical care and treatment for the injured and efforts for cleanup of the blast site and other impacted areas — and also remain consistent with the United States’ longstanding interest in a secure and independent Lebanon.”

Rep. LaHood and the members also pointed out that the U.S. has a strong presence in Lebanon, including at hospitals like the American University of Beirut Medical Center, as well as at American universities located there that likewise have suffered significant damage.

“We are confident that emergency assistance can be provided to the people of Lebanon while adhering to appropriate vetting standards, particularly by working through vetted and approved non-governmental organizations,” wrote Rep. LaHood and his colleagues. “We ask that Congress be apprised of any expenditures.”

Additionally, Rep. LaHood introduced on July 31 House Resolution 1077 with three cosponsors, including U.S. Reps. Steve Stivers (R-OH) and Donna Shalala, (D-FL), to express the continued importance of the U.S.-Lebanon relationship by the U.S. House of Representatives.

“As co-chair of the U.S.-Lebanon Friendship Caucus, I will continue to be a strong advocate in Congress for U.S. support of an independent Lebanese Armed Forces and efforts to root out corruption in the Lebanese public sector,” Rep. LaHood said. “We must continue to firmly oppose the rising influence of Hezbollah and other nonstate actors and recognize the need for an independent and apolitical Lebanese judiciary.”

The congressman also said that a “strong, sovereign Lebanon can provide stability in the Middle East.”