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Washington, D.C. – Congressmen Darin LaHood (R-IL), Gregory Meeks (D-NY), Darrell Issa (R-CA), and David Cicilline (D-RI) were joined by 20 of their colleagues today in urging the Biden Administration to work with Lebanese officials to ensure that the upcoming elections on May 15, 2022, are carried out on time, transparently and free of corruption.

In their letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, the Members write, “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 in any delay.”

The greater Peoria, Illinois area is home to over 8,000 Lebanese Americans, one of the largest Lebanese populations in the country. Congressman LaHood’s great-grandparents immigrated to the United States from the village of Aitou in Northern Lebanon. The U.S. is home to over 14,000 immigrants from Aitou, many of whom live in Peoria, Illinois.

Joining the Members on the letter are 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), Juan Vargas (D-CA).

Full text of the letter is below and a PDF can be found here.

Dear Secretary Blinken:

We write to urge that the Administration continues to call upon and work with Lebanese officials to ensure that parliamentary elections scheduled for May 15, 2022, are carried out on time, transparently and free of corruption. 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 in any delay. With this in mind, we strongly urge the Administration to:

• Speak out against any entity or individual that instigates the corruption, disruption, postponement or cancellation of the May 15, 2022 parliamentary elections;
• Work with relevant stakeholders to ensure a successful election monitoring operation is undertaken to ensure a free and fair election, which includes collaborating with stakeholders, qualified individuals, and organizations planning Lebanon’s election monitoring effort;
• Ensure that diaspora voting outside of Lebanon occurs on time, transparently, and votes are independently counted and reported in a manner consistent with current law;
• Continue to support the Lebanese Armed Forces and Internal Security Forces in maintaining security and stability ahead of, and during, elections; and,
• Continue to support Lebanon’s vibrant civil society in its pursuit of democracy, adherence to the rule of law, and the promotion and protection of human rights.

Thank you for your attention and action in helping Lebanon achieve a corruption-free government as well as free and fair May elections.

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