*Measure added*

**Witness list changed**

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

Wednesday, February 24:

Markup: H. Res. 148, H. Res. 551, H.R. 3924 and H.R. 4403

10 a.m. on Wednesday, February 24 in 2172 Rayburn House Office Building

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

*Bills to be marked up include:

H. Res. 148, Calling on the government of Iran to fulfill their promises of assistance in this case of Robert Levinson, the longest held United States civilian in our Nation's history

H. Res. 551, Recognizing the importance of the United States-Israel economic relationship and encouraging new areas of cooperation

H.R. 3924, Global Development Lab Act of 2015

H.R. 4403, Enhancing Overseas Traveler Vetting Act

Wednesday, February 24:

Joint Subcommittee Hearing: Establishing Accountability at the World Intellectual Property Organization: Illicit Technology Transfers, Whistleblowing, and Reform

2 p.m. on Wednesday, February 24 in 2172 Rayburn House Office Building

Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations
Rep. Christopher H. Smith (R-NJ), Chairman

Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa
Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Chairman

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

**Invited Witnesses Include:

Mr. James Pooley
Attorney at Law
(Former Deputy Director for Innovation and Technology, World Intellectual Property Organization)

Ms. Miranda Brown
(Former Strategic Adviser to the Director General, World Intellectual Property Organization)

Mr. Matthew Parish
Founder and Managing Director
Gentium Law Group

Chairman Smith on the hearing: "For years, the World Intellectual Property Organization has had a number of very serious concerns over illicit technology transfers to rogue nations such as Iran and North Korea, undisclosed dealings with China and Russia, and retaliation against whistleblowers who brought these alarming issues to light. This hearing will examine some of the most serious allegations, as we hear from whistleblowers whose commitment to the truth has come at great personal cost."

Chairman Ros-Lehtinen on the hearing: "Since I began investigating WIPO’s illegal transfers of sophisticated U.S.-origin computer equipment to Iran and North Korea almost four years ago, the situation at WIPO has only gotten worse. WIPO’s Director General Francis Gurry, who was running the secret transfer program, was reelected in 2014 despite his clear violation of WIPO rules and of UN sanctions aimed at preventing Iran and North Korea from getting their hands on sensitive dual-use technology. Gurry obstructed the Committee’s investigation, prevented WIPO officials from testifying, and retaliated against those sounding the alarm about WIPO’s activities and the attempted cover-up.  Even the State Department recognized WIPO’s failure to protect whistleblowers and cut a percentage of the agency’s funding. With the UN wrapping up its own investigation, this hearing will provide an added layer of oversight and accountability, as Members will hear from the WIPO officials previously blocked from testifying, learn what consequences we can expect from the UN investigation, and assess future action to safeguard against potential violations of U.S. sanctions and export controls and other breaches of U.S. national security policy by WIPO and other UN agencies.”

Chairman Salmon on the hearing: While I believe in the mission of the World Intellectual Property Organization to promote innovation and development in all countries, I am very concerned about WIPO’s technical assistance to North Korea and Iran, as well as WIPO’s failure to meet whistleblower protection standards. I look forward to seeking further clarity on the choices WIPO has made, as well as assessing the risk that WIPO will continue to make decisions that adversely affect international security.

Wednesday, February 24:

Subcommittee Hearing: Boko Haram: The Islamist Insurgency in West Africa

2 p.m. on Wednesday, February 24 in 2200 Rayburn House Office Building

Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade
Rep. Ted Poe (R-TX), Chairman

Invited Witnesses Include:

Ms. Jennifer G. Cooke
Director
Africa Program
Center for International and Strategic Studies

Mr. Jacob Zenn
Fellow
African and Eurasian Affairs
The Jamestown Foundation

Ms. Alice Hunt Friend
Adjunct Senior Fellow
Center for New American Security

Chairman Poe on the hearing: “It seems that not a day goes by without news of another atrocity committed by Boko Haram in West Africa. Though the Islamist insurgency has lost territory, it is still capable of carrying out destabilizing attacks in Nigeria and neighboring countries. Last year, Boko Haram pledged allegiance to ISIS and since then, there has been a marked improvement in the group’s media production value, social media presence, and refinement of its terrorist attacks.  Members will have the opportunity to gain a better understanding of the fight against Boko Haram and the terrorist group’s ties to ISIS as well as to hear some new policy recommendations to ensure that the Islamist insurgency is defeated and not just contained.”

 

Thursday, February 25:

Hearing: Strengthening U.S. Leadership in a Turbulent World: The FY 2017 Foreign Affairs Budget

9:30 a.m. on Thursday, February 25 in 2172 Rayburn House Office Building

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

Invited Witnesses Include:

The Honorable John F. Kerry
Secretary of State
U.S. Department of State

Chairman Royce on the hearing: “Today America faces direct threats from ISIS, North Korea and Iran, the world’s largest state sponsor of terror.  This hearing will provide an opportunity to hear firsthand from Secretary Kerry about the administration’s spending priorities amid these growing dangers.”

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

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

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