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

Monday, December 10
Subcommittee Hearing: Reviewing International Child Abduction

2 p.m. on Monday, December 10, in 2172 Rayburn House Office Building

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

Invited witnesses include:

Mr. Jeffery Morehouse
Executive Director
Bring Abducted Children Home

Mr. Juan Garaicoa
Father of Two Children Abducted to Ecuador

Ms. Michelle Littleton
Mother of Three Children Abducted to Lebanon

Chairman Smith on the hearing: “Left-behind parents, whose children have been abducted to a foreign country by an estranged spouse, were heartened when the Sean and David Goldman Act was signed into law. Five years later, the most recent State Department report on international child abduction—the best to date—shows that progress has been made, yet more work still needs to be done to fully implement the Goldman Act.

“Gaps and inconsistencies in enforcement of the policy not only put children at risk of abduction, but fail to pressure countries that are failing to resolve abduction cases for years on end. I look forward to hearing from our witnesses on what more can be done in the coming months to implement fully the Congressional intent behind the Goldman Act.”

Wednesday, December 12
Hearing: Development, Diplomacy, and Defense: Promoting U.S. Interests in Africa

10 a.m. on Wednesday, December 12, in 2172 Rayburn House Office Building

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

Invited witnesses include:

The Honorable Tibor P. Nagy, Jr.
Assistant Secretary
Bureau of African Affairs
U.S. Department of State

Mr. Ramsey Day
Senior Deputy Assistant Administrator
Bureau for Africa
U.S. Agency for International Development

Chairman Royce on the hearing: “Strengthening relationships in Africa has been a top priority for me at the Foreign Affairs Committee. I have long worked to improve the stability and economic prosperity of African nations – including through wildlife conservation and improved trade. Africa presents several challenges and opportunities for the United States, which is what this hearing will explore. We need to get this right.”

Thursday, December 13
Subcommittee Hearing: Nigeria at a Crossroads: The Upcoming Elections

2 p.m. on Thursday, December 13, in 2172 Rayburn House Office Building

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

Invited witnesses include:

The Honorable Tibor P. Nagy, Jr.
Assistant Secretary
Bureau of African Affairs
U.S. Department of State

Mr. Ramsey Day
Senior Deputy Assistant Administrator
Bureau for Africa
U.S. Agency for International Development

Chairman Smith on the hearing: “Nigeria will hold a presidential election in February, and already there is fear that it will be marked by violence.  While much of the world’s attention has focused on Boko Haram — a killer organization that still remains a threat — there are also organized attacks by well-armed herdsmen in the Middle Belt region, and the government has been accused of indiscriminate violence against minority groups, including Shia Muslims.  Congress and the Administration need to pay attention to what is unfolding in Nigeria, a critically important country, and provide assistance to help it undertake a peaceful election and — depending on outcome — a peaceful transition of power.”

 

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

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