Upholding the Dayton Peace Agreement Through Sanctions Act

Floor Speech

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 8453, the Upholding the Dayton Peace Agreement Through Sanctions Act, my bipartisan bill codifying key sanctions authorities that will help the United States stave off a serious crisis in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The country is headed into important general elections in just a few short weeks on October 2, and time is running out to send a strong deterrent message to bad actors intent on destabilizing the country.

Bosnia's democratic institutions, its territorial integrity, even the Office of the High Representative, the independent body tasked with implementing the Dayton Accords, are all at risk.

Peace in Bosnia came at a very steep price. Those who would threaten the very foundations of the country must be held accountable.

The reckless secessionism and destabilizing actions of ethnonationalist politicians like Milorad Dodik, the Serb member of Bosnia's tripartite presidency, are extremely dangerous. The October elections could be a critical flash point.

It worries me tremendously to see Serb and Croat nationalist parties, with the support of the ruthless Putin regime, working to roll back the progress Bosnia has made.

We have a strong and vibrant Bosnian community in my hometown of St. Louis, Missouri. Many of my constituents fled to the city during and after the 1992 and 1995 Bosnian war in which more than 100,000--200,000 lost their lives. My constituents want to see their homeland prosper as a unified, sovereign, and multi-ethnic state.

I cannot imagine the heartache they must feel when Dodik denies the horrifying genocide committed by Serb troops against Bosniak Muslims at Srebrenica, or when he threatens to lead the dissolution of Bosnia.

These actions are offensive to those who lost loved ones in the Bosnian war, and they are profoundly dangerous to Bosnia's future.

It is imperative, Mr. Speaker, that the United States wield our economic toolkit to deter threats to Bosnian sovereignty and territorial integrity as the country navigates these challenges.

H.R. 8453 codifies and mandates key sanctions authorities to address the political crisis and corruption in Bosnia. Ahead of the country's October general election, this bill sends a critical signal to local officials engaging in destabilizing and anti-democratic behavior, and to Russia for its destructive influence, that the United States will hold them accountable.

At this volatile moment, Bosnians need the United States House of Representatives to stand in unequivocal support of their peaceful, democratic future.

I appreciate the chair and ranking member's swift attention to this urgently needed bill that I have the great honor of putting forward. I also thank Representative Wild for working with me on this legislation.

I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 8453, the Upholding the Dayton Peace Agreement Through Sanctions Act.

Mr. Speaker, in closing, I thank Representative Wild for working with me on this important legislation.

And as a guarantor of the Dayton Peace Agreement, the United States cannot stand by while Bosnia and Herzegovina are threatened by destabilizing ethnonationalist forces and Russia's destructive influence.

This legislation sends an unmistakable message to any actor that threatens the peace, security, and stability, or territorial integrity of Bosnia. If such destabilizing behavior is not ceased, he or she will be sanctioned. These sanctions will not be considered, nor deliberated over, but mandated.

With the country's October election less than a month away, the time for the U.S. House of Representatives to act is now. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this bill.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source