Washington D.C. – Today, House Foreign Affairs Committee Lead Republican Michael McCaul (R-TX) and Chairman Eliot Engel (D-NY) held the Committee’s formal organizational meeting for the 116th Congress. The meeting included the consideration and adoption of Committee Rules and called for the formal appointment of subcommittee leadership and Membership rosters for the 116th Congress.

You can see a breakdown of the subcommittee rosters by clicking below:

You can view the official rules for the House Committee on Foreign Affairs for the 116th Congress by clicking here. 

You can view a live stream of the official meeting by clicking here or the photo below.

Lead Republican Michael McCaul (R-TX) delivered the following remarks as prepared: 

Thank you, Chairman Engel. It is a great honor to serve alongside you as the lead Republican on the Foreign Affairs Committee.

This is a historic Committee that deals with serious issues of war and peace. It dates back to the Continental Congress with Benjamin Franklin serving as its first Chairman.

In the next two years, America will be met with many international challenges. Some of these problems are very familiar. Others have yet to materialize. And as we sit here today, we are seeing in real time the fight for the future of Venezuela.  I know all of us hope there is a peaceful transition of power and democracy triumphs over tyranny. 

As we confront these challenges, it will be important for all of us to work together to put forth the best solutions. And as I’ve always said, and I’ve heard Chairman Engel say many times, partisanship must end at the water’s edge.

This Committee has enormous responsibilities and I look forward to showing the American people that both parties can unite to do what’s best for the country.

Some of my priorities are to:

  • Confront our Adversaries by taking real steps to counter China and Russia and increase pressure on Iran and North Korea.
  • Bolster engagement with our allies, including NATO and Israel, to enhance our presence and leadership around the world.
  • Expand market access for American businesses abroad.
  • Reform and streamline the State Department with its first comprehensive reauthorization since 2002 and modernize our various foreign aid programs.
  • Secure America by combating human trafficking, transnational organized crime, gangs and drug cartels, in addition to enhancing cybersecurity and counterterrorism measures around the globe.
  • Ensure the American government is doing all we can to tackle childhood cancer in the developing world – especially in Africa.

There will be times when we may not see eye to eye, and in those instances, I look forward to having a respectful debate.

Lastly, I’d like to take this opportunity to recognize Subcommittee Ranking Members and introduce new Republican Members of the Committee.

  • Vice-Ranking Member – Rep. Ann Wagner, former Ambassador to Luxembourg.
  • Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations – Rep. Chris Smith, who has served in Congress for 38 years and is a champion of human rights.
  • Asia, the Pacific, and Nonproliferation – Rep. Ted Yoho, who has become a real expert in the region.
  • Europe, Eurasia, Energy, and the Environment – Rep. Adam Kinzinger, an Air Force veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan.
  • Middle East, North Africa, and International Terrorism – Rep. Joe Wilson, an Army veteran, father of four sons who served our country in the military, and one of the nicest guys in Congress.
  • Oversight and Investigations – Rep. Lee Zeldin, a former attorney who served in Iraq and continues to serve in the Army Reserves today.
  • Western Hemisphere, Civilian Security, and Trade – Rep. Francis Rooney, former Ambassador to The Holy See.

New Republican members joining our team:

  • Ken Buck (Colorado): Former prosecutor with U.S. Department of Justice and served as Chief of the Criminal Division in the Colorado U.S. Attorney’s Office.
  • Tim Burchett (Tennessee): Former Mayor of Knox County and served 16 years in the state legislature.
  • Michael Guest (Mississippi): Former district attorney.
  • Greg Pence (Indiana): Former Marine and businessman.
  • Guy Reschenthaler (Pennsylvania): US Navy veteran who served in the JAG Corps in Iraq.  He also served as a district judge and in the Pennsylvania legislature. 
  • Steve Watkins (Kansas): Graduate of West Point, MIT, and Harvard.  Combat veteran who served in Afghanistan.
  • Ron Wright (Texas): Fellow Texan who has been involved in politics for over 30 years and most recently served as Tax-Assessor-Collector of Tarrant County.

Congratulations to all of you and welcome.

I know that every member of this Committee is eager to get to work. We’ll have many opportunities to accomplish great things. I’m looking forward to working with all of you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I yield back the balance of my time.

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