House approves bill requiring report on progress in post-earthquake Haiti

The House on Tuesday evening approved H.R. 1016, which would require the White House to conduct and release a report on humanitarian and reconstruction efforts in Haiti after a January 2010 earthquake that caused significant property and infrastructure damage there.

The non-controversial bill was approved by voice vote at about 5:30 p.m.

House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairwoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fla.) said during the brief debate that while progress is being made, many Haitians are still without a safe shelter, cholera is still a concern, and rising food and gas prices are making life more difficult for Haiti's residents. She also said there are "lingering questions" about the parliamentary election results late last year, and said this issue needs to be handled.

"In order for progress in Haiti to continue, it is important that allegations of election corruption are resolved quickly, that the concerns of the Haitian people are put to rest, and that the duly elected parliamentarians are seated as soon as possible," she said.

Ros-Lehtinen noted that president-elect Michel Martelly, who will be inaugurated this weekend, has said he would pursue alleged election fraud, and said this is a "step in the right direction."

She also called on Haiti to expand its Haitian National Police, and work to improve the business climate on the island.