In a move that bypasses a months-long hold on the funds by Republican lawmakers, The Biden administration will award nearly $110 million in security and police assistance to Haiti.
The funds include $15 million to the Haitian National Police to counter gang violence and $95 million for security mission support.
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Secretary of State Antony Blinken made the decision following more than 100 briefings to Congress by the State Department and that the Biden administration remained committed to working in “close consultation” with that body.
As reported by a state official reported – “the security situation in Haiti remains untenable due to violence perpetrated by violent gangs, and the people of Haiti cannot wait,” the official said.
Top Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Jim Risch, was not happy with the move to override the hold on the funds.
In a statement, he said, “The Biden Administration’s choice to override the hold I had placed on U.S. taxpayer funding for the ill-conceived Haiti MSS (Multinational Security Support Mission) is extremely disappointing.”
Although leaders of the foreign relations committees have approval power over the money, the administration can override their holds it it is deemed extreme enough to warrant going ahead.
