Lawmakers awaiting plans from Conille to secure funding, Haitian American congresswoman says

Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL), the lone Haitian American representative in Washington, said Haiti’s new transitional government appears to be promising and, like other U.S. legislators, is waiting for detailed plans from Haitian Prime Minister Garry Conille to support creating a credible pathway toward security and sociopolitical and economic stability. During an interview with The Haitian Times days after she met with Conille, the Florida Democrat also said she hoped a meaningful show of force against the gang violence would “incentivize Haitian people to start participating” in the transition toward a stable democracy and draw people back to the country.

“I thank Prime Minister Conille for sharing insight into the government of Haiti’s plans and for outlining how the U.S. can assist in rebuilding institutions needed to create the enabling environment for a stable and prosperous society,” Cherfilus-McCormick said over a Zoom interview. “For the support requested, we will need the specifics of a detailed plan from him sooner or later.”

Cherfilus-McCormick is a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and co-chair of the Haiti Caucus. She and House Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Member Gregory W. Meeks (D-NY) met with Conille on July 2. The discussions focused on combating gang-fueled insecurity, increasing economic support to Haiti, and encouraging greater participation from Haitians, both in Haiti and the Diaspora, in Haiti’s future, Cherfilus-McCormick said. They specifically spoke about the U.S. providing support for elections, assisting with the Multinational Security and Support (MSS) Mission and reauthorizing the HOPE and HELP trade programs favoring investment in Haiti.

“We also addressed the necessity for a plan that should include concrete actions for demobilization, disarmament, and reintegration (DDR) of gang members, particularly young people who were forced to join these criminal groups,” Cherfilus-McCormick added. 

Both Cherfilus-McCormick and Meeks ensured that the Haitian delegation understood what congressional Democrats would need from them to facilitate proper U.S. financial support for a successful transition in Haiti. She said both the Black Congressional Caucus (CBC) and Haiti Caucus would continue to stand with Haiti. She said she believes in Conille’s ability and experience to work with the Transitional Presidential Council (TPC) and move the country forward.

“The truth is, this is not a favor to Haiti. This is owed to Haiti,” Cherfilus-McCormick said. “We will make sure that he gets what he needs to succeed.”

 “We are waiting for this detailed plan from the Haitian transitional government for a way forward,” the congresswoman added. “He [Conille] needs to pen out comprehensive details of his plans, including all the pieces that need to be in place. That is, presenting a plan that shows a credible pathway to free and fair elections in less than 20 months and mechanisms for transparency and accountability that involve both the Haitian government and Kenya-led MSS.”

This way, she explained, congressional Democrats would have clear arguments to push for bills that can break the cycle of instability, a crucial step in advancing Haiti’s future and establishing the nation as a global partner.

Earlier this year, House Republicans rejected a bill that would have allocated  $40 million to Haiti, among numerous items. Several of those lawmakers said they were hesitant to “give a blank check” to a country with no functioning government or accountability measure attached. Last month, the Biden White House decided to allocate at least $100 million through executive order via the State Department to avoid a humanitarian catastrophe.

The weeklong trip had brought Conille to Washington, D.C., New York and Florida, seeking additional support. It was his first abroad since returning to lead Haiti’s transitional government. Conille and his Foreign Affairs Minister Dominique Dupuy also presented at a UN Security Council meeting the specific difficulties that his government is facing and the kind of support needed from member nations to get Haiti back on its feet.

Conille also visited Florida, where he met with U.S. Representative Frederica Wilson and local Haitian American elected officials on June 29 at Notre Dame d’Haïti Catholic Church in Little Haiti. At each stop, Conille spoke of steering Haiti out of violence and corruption and reestablishing democratic norms. The transitional government aims to hold elections before its mandate expires on Feb. 7, 2026.

“This is a critical point,” Conille said after meeting the lawmakers. “I need to have the funding necessary to implement and repair basic infrastructure quickly, provide training to the National Police and Armed Forces and make sure that the services are available to people.”

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