A group of U.S senators sent a letter to Laos ambassador to the U.S.,Mr. Phanthong Phommahaxay, condemning the alleged use of starvation agains Hmong civilians in Laos, while several U.S representatives co-sponsored a bill calling for democratic reforms and liberties in Laos.
Senators Feingold, Boxer, Dayton, Kohl, Coleman, and Feinstein pointed out that using starvation as a weapon of war is a violation of the Geneva Convention, which Laos has ratified.
Earlier in October, Minnesota Congresswoman Betty McCollum, who co-signed H. Res 402, sponsored HR 3195 to extend Normal Trade Relations(NTR) to Laos, which directly addresses the ongoing need for the Lao government to make improvements in human rights.