June 18, 2020 - Issue: Vol. 166, No. 113 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 2nd Session

[Page S3108]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 632--REAFFIRMING THE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE UNITED 
STATES AND THE REPUBLIC OF ECUADOR AND RECOGNIZING THE RESTORATION AND 
     ADVANCEMENT OF ECONOMIC RELATIONS, SECURITY, AND DEVELOPMENT 
                     OPPORTUNITIES IN BOTH NATIONS

  Mr. MENENDEZ (for himself, Mr. Risch, Mr. Cardin, Mr. Rubio, Mr. 
Kaine, and Mr. Cruz) submitted the following resolution; which was 
referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations:

                              S. Res. 632

       Whereas the United States and Ecuador have enjoyed a 
     history of bilateral partnership and cooperation, and share 
     the aims of promoting democratic values, economic prosperity, 
     and the security of both nations;
       Whereas the United States and Ecuador have taken important 
     steps to restore the bilateral relationship between the 
     United States and Ecuador, including by signing various 
     agreements to strengthen economic ties, security cooperation, 
     and development opportunities;
       Whereas President Moreno has signaled Ecuador's commitment 
     to promoting democratic values and has advocated for greater 
     government transparency;
       Whereas in February 2018, more than 64 percent of 
     Ecuadorians voted, in a constitutional referendum, to 
     reinstate a 2-term presidential limit, an effort that was 
     carried out by President Moreno's administration and which is 
     indicative of the Ecuadorian people's support for 
     presidential term limits as a reasonable check against a 
     history of corruption and abuse of power;
       Whereas the United States-Ecuador bilateral relationship 
     has been historically characterized by strong commercial and 
     investment ties through the Generalized System of 
     Preferences, the United States-Ecuador Trade and Investment 
     Council, and the Treaty between the United States of America 
     and the Republic of Ecuador Concerning the Encouragement and 
     Reciprocal Protection of Investment, done at Washington 
     August 27, 1993, which was terminated by Ecuador's previous 
     government, effective May 18, 2018;
       Whereas President Moreno's administration has committed to 
     implement economic policies that will lay the groundwork for 
     sustainable economic growth, while protecting the poorest and 
     most vulnerable people;
       Whereas, under President Moreno's leadership, there have 
     been significant advances in areas related to freedom of 
     expression, including through the reform of the controversial 
     Ecuadorian Communications Law;
       Whereas the Government of Ecuador has called for the 
     peaceful restoration of democracy and the rule of law in 
     Venezuela and Ecuador has been a generous host of 
     approximately 385,000 Venezuelan refugees;
       Whereas on May 15, 2019, the United States Agency for 
     International Development (USAID) and Ecuador's Ministry of 
     Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility signed a Memorandum of 
     Understanding agreeing to the return of the USAID Mission to 
     Ecuador after the 53-year program was forced to close in 2014 
     due to tensions in the bilateral relationship;
       Whereas Ecuador has been one of the countries most affected 
     by the COVID-19 pandemic in Latin America, with more than 
     42,000 confirmed cases and approximately 3,500 deaths as of 
     June 5, 2020, which has overwhelmed the country's health care 
     system and aggravated the country's already challenging 
     economic situation;
       Whereas in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, USAID is 
     providing Ecuador with technical support and training in 
     diagnostics, and technical assistance in clinical management, 
     risk communication, and community engagement; and
       Whereas the United States and Ecuador have agreed to 
     advance security cooperation on law enforcement, 
     counternarcotics, anticorruption, and bilateral military 
     training and assistance: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) reaffirms its commitment--
       (A) to the historic partnership between the United States 
     and Ecuador; and
       (B) to continue working to strengthen the relationship 
     between the United States and Ecuador based on mutual respect 
     and shared democratic values and principles;
       (2) recognizes President Lenin Moreno and his 
     administration for recommitting Ecuador to democratic values, 
     anti-corruption efforts, and the adoption of economic 
     policies that will benefit the people of Ecuador;
       (3) commends the important steps that President Moreno and 
     his administration have taken to protect freedom of 
     expression and freedom of the press in his country;
       (4) encourages the Republic of Ecuador to ensure that the 
     rights of refugees and asylum seekers are protected; and
       (5) supports actions to strengthen the historic bilateral 
     relationship between the United States and Ecuador, 
     including--
       (A) the establishment of robust bilateral trade and 
     investment frameworks with Ecuador to build mutual prosperity 
     through greater transparency and competitiveness;
       (B) stronger law enforcement and security cooperation 
     between the two countries, including in cybersecurity, border 
     management, counternarcotics, anti-money laundering, military 
     and civilian security professionalization, and criminal 
     justice capabilities;
       (C) the return of the United States Agency for 
     International Development and the extension of the Peace 
     Corps Program in Ecuador;
       (D) continued United States assistance for Ecuador's 
     response to combat the COVID-19 pandemic;
       (E) closer ties between Americans and Ecuadoreans through 
     English language learning and teaching programs that foster 
     greater professional and educational opportunities;
       (F) continued efforts to protect freedom of expression and 
     freedom of the press; and
       (G) continued efforts to ensure that the rights of refugees 
     and asylum seekers are protected.

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