Washington, DC, April 7, 2022 (ATFL) – The American Task Force on Lebanon (ATFL), a leadership organization of Americans of Lebanese descent, commends House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Gregory W. Meeks (D-NY), Congressman David N. Cicilline (D-RI), Congressman Darrell Issa (R-CA), and Congressman Darin LaHood (R-IL) for leading a letter co-signed by 20 of their colleagues to Secretary of State Antony Blinken that calls upon the Biden Administration to work with Lebanese officials to ensure that the May 15, 2022 parliamentary elections are free, fair, and on-time.

They wrote, “With dueling political and economic crises, the May parliamentary elections are the first opportunity the Lebanese people will have to cast their ballots since protests in the country began in 2019 after years of corruption and mismanagement. We concur with Ambassador Dorothy Shea that in holding elections on time, there is ‘no wiggle room,’ and that the failure to do so should result in swift condemnation for those responsible for any delay.”

The letter was co-signed by Representatives Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Tom Cole (R-OK), Ted Deutch (D-FL), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Jimmy Gomez (D-CA), Jahana Hayes (D-CT), Jim Himes (D-CT), Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), Dan Kildee (D-MI), Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), Ted Lieu (D-CA), Stephen F. Lynch (D-MA), Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY), Jim McGovern (D-MA), Carol Miller (R-WV), Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL), Jason Smith (R-OH), Dina Titus (D-NV), David Trone (D-MD), and Juan Vargas (D-CA).

ATFL has been meeting with Members of Congress and their staffs to discuss the need for US support leading up to the parliamentary elections.

“ATFL commends Chairman Meeks, Rep. Cicilline, Rep. Issa, Rep. LaHood, and all co-signatories for their bipartisan leadership in standing with the Lebanese people,” said ATFL President Ed Gabriel. “We encourage Secretary Blinken and the Biden Administration to prioritize support for free, fair, and on-time elections in Lebanon over this next month,” he added.

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Full text of the letter can be found here

For additional information contact steven.howard@atfl.org

The American Task Force on Lebanon is 501(C)3 nonprofit organization of prominent Americans of Lebanese heritage, who educate for the strengthening of the historic U.S.-Lebanon relationship. The mission and objectives of ATFL shall always be in the best interest of the United States and will promote the national unity, independence, and prosperity of a democratic and multi-sectarian Lebanon.