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WASHINGTON, D.C.—House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence Chairman Rick Crawford (R-AR) led the first-ever bipartisan congressional delegation (CODEL) to Honduras to observe the country’s national Presidential election on November 30. Chairman Crawford was joined by House Administration Committee Chairman Bryan Steil (R-WI), House Financial Services Committee Chairman French Hill (R-AR), House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence Ranking Member Jim Himes (D-CT), Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-TX), Rep. Ben Cline (R-VA), Rep. Claudia Tenney (R-NY), and Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-CA).
The purpose of the CODEL was to observe the election processes and procedures, engage with other observation missions from the Organization of American States (OAS) and other partners, while providing a visible U.S. government presence in support of the Department of State’s efforts to encourage a free and fair election in Honduras. During the visit, the CODEL served as accredited election observers to reinforce the importance of democracy within our Western Hemisphere neighborhood. The delegation observed the voting process at voting sites in Tegucigalpa and Comayagua. The delegation was met with support and appreciation by voters at both polling locations. Additionally, the members were informed by leaders from the Organization of American States (OAS) about their observations on the preparations for the election and the integrity of the Honduran election process in the months leading up to Election Day.
Furthermore, the delegation met with the country team at the U.S. Embassy in Tegucigalpa, where they were briefed on the great power competition between the U.S. and the Chinese Communist Party and Russia in the region and the U.S. role as the security partner of choice for Honduras. The delegation continually emphasized the importance of U.S. partnerships with key allies in our shared Western Hemisphere neighborhood to ensure regional security and governance. The delegation also had the opportunity to visit with U.S. service members stationed at Soto Cano Air Base, the largest and southernmost U.S. military installation in Central America. While there, the delegation was briefed on the Joint Task Force-Bravo (JTF-Bravo) mission to promote regional cooperation and operational security of our Western Hemisphere neighborhood.
“The shared security of our Western Hemisphere neighborhood rests heavily on our key allies' ability to instill trust in their commitment to democracy and the administering of free and fair elections,”said Chairman Crawford. “The people of Honduras made it very clear they wanted U.S. eyes on this election, and they showed up in droves at voting locations yesterday to peacefully exercise their right to determine the future of their country. I congratulate them on a well-executed Election Day. As we await the conclusion of the tallying process and certification of the results, it is time to let the OAS Observation Mission do its job so all Hondurans can have confidence in the results of the election.”
“This week my colleagues and I served the important role of accredited overseers of Honduras’ Presidential election to support a free and fair electoral process," said Ranking Member Himes. "It is critical that the Honduran people see our commitment to a true democratic process that allows the voters to have confidence their voice matters, and they can vote free from fear and intimidation. I hope that our presence offered increased confidence and transparency as we await final results.”
“Honduras is a key partner in the fight against narcotics trafficking in the Western hemisphere," said Chairman Steil. "I am grateful to have been an official international election observer for their presidential election. I thank Chairman Crawford for facilitating this international election observer program and for his continued support of election integrity in the United States and beyond.”
“The stability of our hemisphere depends on our allies standing strong for democracy and conducting fair elections especially those in our own backyard," said Rep. Jackson. "I was honored to join Chairman Crawford in observing the Honduras presidential election to help ensure a fair process, and I’m encouraged by the strong turnout and the commitment of the Honduran people to choose their own future with transparency and integrity.”
“Seeing the Honduran people engage so actively in their national election was a powerful reminder of the central role that free and fair elections play in the stability of our hemisphere," said Rep. Ben Cline (VA-06). "Our meetings with OAS officials, U.S. Embassy personnel, EU observers, and local community leaders underscored the importance of continued cooperation to strengthen democratic institutions and advance regional security. I appreciate Chairman Crawford’s leadership on this delegation, and I commend the people of Honduras on a successful and peaceful Election Day.”
"The stability of our hemisphere relies on partners who uphold democratic norms and conduct elections the public can trust," said Rep. Tenney. "Honduran voters demonstrated that commitment with a strong and orderly turnout, reflecting their determination to shape their nation’s future through a lawful and transparent process. I commend their civic engagement and the professionalism shown throughout Election Day. It is important that the OAS Observation Mission carry out its full mandate so every citizen can have confidence in the certified results.”
“I was honored to join Chair Crawford and Ranking Member Himes as official Election Observers for the Honduras national elections,” said Rep. Panetta. “What we saw and felt at the polling stations that we monitored was an excited electorate that was very proud to take part in their democratic process. The people of Honduras spoke resoundingly through their votes in what appeared to be a free and fair election. The United States must continue its commitment to and partnership with this type of democratic partner in Central America.”
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