Beatty Amendment to Aid Refugees from Ukraine Receives Broad Bipartisan Support
Legislation would ensure aid to refugees of color
Washington, D.C.— Today, an amendment offered by U.S. Congresswoman and Congressional Black Caucus Chair Joyce Beatty (OH-03) to support refugees fleeing the conflict in Ukraine was added to a broader Ukrainian relief bill with wide bipartisan support. Now included in the Ukraine Comprehensive Debt Payment Relief Act (H.R. 7081), Beatty's amendment instructs the Secretary of the Treasury "to use the voice and vote of the United States to seek…to provide economic support for refugees from Ukraine, including those of African descent, and for countries receiving refugees from Ukraine."
"I don't think we can mark up legislation related to the Ukraine crisis without addressing this overwhelming humanitarian need," said Beatty. "My provision specifically makes clear that our economic support should include refugees of African descent. African refugees – many of whom had already fled hardship in their home countries – have been experiencing difficulties and discrimination in this current crisis."
GOP Ranking Member Patrick McHenry (NC-10) praised Beatty's amendment, saying it, "ensures that the voice of this Congress and the American people is raised to say ‘you shouldn't discriminate [at] the border, and we should stand on behalf of refugees of all stripes.' And I think that is a very very important thing and a noteworthy addition to a very good bill and a very good markup. So thank you Chairwoman Beatty, thank you for bringing this to the attention of this committee."
The vital inclusion of refugees of African descent will open up relief to the thousands of students, expats, and refugees residing in Ukraine. This comes amid multiple damning reports of racism experienced by Africans and other people of color fleeing the violent invasion. Following the adoption of Beatty's amendment, H.R. 7081 passed the Financial Services Committee by voice vote.
It is currently estimated that over three million individuals, the majority of whom are women and children, have fled Ukraine since Russia's invasion last month. The United Nations expects the crisis to displace as many as seven million refugees.