BRI Held the 5th Hybrid Congressional Briefing on Burma
- Burma Research Institute
- Dec 20, 2025
- 3 min read
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 20, 2025
Contact: Zo Tum Hmung
President & CEO
Mobile: 443-936-8616
BRI Held the 5th Hybrid Congressional Briefing on Burma
Ellicott City, MD -----The Burma Research Institute (BRI), formerly known as the Chin Association of Maryland (CAM), held the 5th Hybrid Congressional Briefing on Burma on December 16, 2025. BRI is grateful to Rep. Young Kim (R, CA-40), Chairwoman of East Asia and Pacific Subcommittee of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs, for her assistance in securing the briefing room.
Title: U.S. Policy on Burma: Opportunities and Challenges
Date: Tuesday, December 16, 2025
Time: 12:15pm - 1:30pm (EST)
Location: Rayburn Office Building (Room 2200) 45 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC 20515
Attendance: In-person or Virtual (Zoom)
Despite rising violence, mass displacement, deteriorating humanitarian crisis, escalating atrocities against religious minority groups including Christians, and its involvement in online scam operations, the Burmese military regime, known as the State Security and Peace Commission (SSPC), plans to hold sham elections beginning December 28, 2025. The speakers and panelists provided updates on the situation in Burma, reflected on US policy toward Burma and provided recommendations to the Administration and the Congress.
“I am grateful for the bipartisan congressional support calling the Trump administration to condemn the sham elections that will be held in Burma beginning on December 28, 2025. The elections will not be free or fair. The Burmese military regime has no right to hold the elections,” said by Zo Tum Hmung, BRI President & CEO. He also added, “I hope H.R.5490 – Dismantle Foreign Scam Syndicates Act will become law in early 2026.”
PROGRAM
Moderator: Zo Tum Hmung, President & CEO, BRI – Click here for his bio
12pm-12:15pm: Light Refreshment
12:15pm - 12:30pm: Remarks
Rep. Young Kim (R, California - 40), Chairwoman, East Asia and Pacific Subcommittee of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs – Click here to view the video remarks
Rep. Jefferson Shreve (R, Indiana - 6) – Click here to view the video remarks
U Aung Kyi Nyunt, Chairman of the Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH), Myanmar –Click here to view his remarks
Dr. May Win Myint, Central Executive Committee Member, National League for Democracy – Click here to view her remarks
12:30pm - 1:00pm: Panelists
U Moe Zaw Oo, Counselor to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Unity Government, Myanmar – Click here to view his written statement
Daw Myat Thida Htun, Chairwoman of the International Relations Committee, CRPH – Click here to view her written statement
Padoh Saw Taw Nee, Head of the Foreign Affairs Department, Karen National Union – Click here to view his written statement
Dr. Stephen Schneck, Commissioner, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) –Click here to view his written statement
Esther Par, Coordinator of Research and Advocacy, BRI – Click here to view her written statement
1pm - 1:28pm: Q & A – Moderator
All panelists participated in the Q & A.
1:28pm - 1:30pm: Conclusion Remark
Moderator
Coverage of the Briefing by News & Media Outlets:
Photos From the Briefing
The Burma Research Institute (BRI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in the United States that conducts research and advocacy. BRI primarily focuses on freedom of religion or belief, human rights, and protection and assistance of refugees and internally displaced people in Burma. Formerly known as the Chin Association of Maryland, BRI also empowers the local Chin community in Maryland and across the United States to successfully integrate into American society. (www.burmari.org)