Heads to President’s Desk

Washington, D.C. – Today, the House of Representatives unanimously passed legislation — originally an initiative authored by Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee — which extends the U.S.-South Korea civil nuclear energy agreement for two years.  The legislation, S. 1901, sponsored by Senators Menendez (D-NJ) and Corker (R-TN), passed in the Senate yesterday and mirrors H.R. 2449, legislation authored by Chairman Royce, which unanimously passed the House last September.  The legislation now heads to the President’s desk.

Chairman Royce said: “For over 60 years the U.S.-South Korea relationship has been a cornerstone of peace and security in the Asia-Pacific region.  Our two nations’ nuclear energy partnership has provided significant economic benefits.  Today’s important legislation extends the current U.S.-South Korea civil nuclear agreement, set to expire this year. Passage of this legislation, which is vital to our ally South Korea, sends a strong message that we are committed to strengthening this critical relationship."

NOTE:  Last year, Chairman Royce welcomed President Park Geun-hye, South Korea’s first female president, to Southern California where she addressed the Korean-American community to discuss the 60th anniversary of the U.S.-South Korean alliance.  Former Chairman of the U.S.-Republic of Korea Interparliamentary Exchange, Royce was also one of the leading champions of the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement.

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