Washington, D.C. – Today, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce (R-CA) announced the following upcoming Committee events:

Wednesday, July 6

Hearing: Financially Rewarding Terrorism in the West Bank

10 a.m. on Wednesday, July 6 in 2172 Rayburn House Office Building

Committee on Foreign Affairs
Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA), Chairman

Invited Witnesses Include:

David Pollock, Ph.D.
Kaufman Fellow
Washington Institute for Near East Policy

Mr. Yigal Carmon
President and Founder
Middle East Media Research Institute

The Honorable Robert Wexler
President
Daniel Abraham Center for Middle East Peace

Chairman Royce on the hearing:  “Israeli-Palestinian peace talks have stalled for years.  The Palestinian Authority has only worsened the conflict by inciting violence and hate speech.  They’ve gone as far as offering a pay-to-slay stipend encouraging Palestinians to commit violence against Israelis.  This hearing will give members an opportunity to examine the challenges of Israeli-Palestinian peace and the role the U.S. can play to facilitate direct negotiations.”

Wednesday, July 6

Subcommittee Markup: H. Res. 210, H. Res. 634, H. Res. 728, and H.R. 4501

2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 6 in 2172 Rayburn House Office Building

Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific
Rep. Matt Salmon (R-AZ), Chairman

Measures to be Marked Up Include:

Res. 210, Affirming and recognizing the Khmer, Laotian, Hmong, and Montagnard Freedom Fighters and the people of Cambodia and Laos for their support and defense of the United States Armed Forces and freedom in Southeast Asia;

Res. 634, Recognizing the importance of the United States-Republic of Korea- Japan trilateral relationship to counter North Korean threats and nuclear proliferation, and to ensure regional security and human rights;

Res. 728, Supporting human rights, democracy, and the rule of law in Cambodia; and

H.R. 4501, Distribution and Promotion of Rights and Knowledge Act of 2016.

Thursday, July 7

Hearing: Demanding Accountability: The Administration’s Reckless Release of Terrorists from Guantanamo

10 a.m. on Thursday, July 7 in 2172 Rayburn House Office Building

Committee on Foreign Affairs
Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA), Chairman

Invited Witnesses Include:

Mr. Lee Wolosky
Special Envoy for Guantanamo Closure
U.S. Department of State

Mr. Paul M. Lewis
Special Envoy for Guantanamo Detention Closure
U.S. Department of Defense

Chairman Royce on the Hearing: “President Obama’s Special Envoys for Guantanamo Bay Closure made statements to the committee about detainee releases that contradict administration assessments.  Rather than explain or correct its testimony, the administration chose to ignore our formal inquiry.  That’s unacceptable.  

“The administration’s release of terrorists who return to the battlefield is reckless policy that demands accountability and transparency.

“Congress has an obligation to provide oversight, especially on matters of national security.  In this hearing, we will press the administration to set the record straight.”

Thursday, July 7

Joint Subcommittee Hearing: South China Sea Maritime Disputes

3:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 7 in 2118 Rayburn House Office Building

Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces of the Committee on Armed Forces
Rep. Randy J. Forbes (R-VA), Chairman

Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific
Rep. Matt Salmon (R-AZ), Chairman

Invited Witnesses Include:

Mr. Abraham Denmark
Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for East Asia
U.S. Department of Defense

Ms. Colin Willett
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Strategy and Multilateral Affairs
Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs
U.S. Department of State

Chairman Forbes on the Hearing: “Coming just a few days before the Permanent Court of Arbitration’s ruling on the South China Sea, this joint hearing could not be more important or timely.  The world is counting on the United States to deter conflict and uphold the rule of law in Asia, and this hearing will provide an opportunity to discuss America’s commitment to sustaining peace and prosperity in the region.  I am hopeful that this hearing will provide a clear articulation of our policy on the South China Sea and our strategy for achieving our aims.”

Chairman Salmon on the Hearing: “Over the past few years, the world has seen China become increasingly aggressive in the South China Sea, staking out territorial claims that are incompatible with international law and having the audacity to build military facilities on disputed territories. Our administration acknowledges that the situation is one of the world’s foremost security risks, but the actions we’ve taken so far have been a disappointment, lacking determination and clarity. Meanwhile, our friends and allies in the region have never needed a firm U.S. security presence more than they do now. This hearing, held jointly with the Armed Services Committee’s Seapower Subcommittee, will preview critical upcoming developments in the conflict, allow Members to question the administration about policy, and provide a forum for discussion of the way forward in the South China Sea.”

 

***See www.foreignaffairs.house.gov for updates.

***Coverage note:  All Foreign Affairs Committee proceedings are webcast live at www.foreignaffairs.house.gov/live-video-feed.

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