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

Wednesday, July 22

Subcommittee Hearing: Promoting U.S. Commerce in the Middle East and North Africa

10 a.m. on Wednesday, July 22 in 2172 Rayburn House Office Building

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

Invited Witnesses Include:

Ms. Elizabeth Richard
Deputy Assistant Secretary
Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs
U.S. Department of State

Mr. Scott Nathan
Special Representative for Commercial and Business Affairs
Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs
U.S. Department of State

Chairman Ros-Lehtinen on the hearing: “This hearing will provide Members an opportunity to examine the overall environment for American businesses operating in the Middle East and North Africa region. Several Free Trade Agreements and Trade and Investment Framework Agreements have helped create opportunities for U.S. businesses but many challenges and hurdles still remain. The region has the potential to be a significant economic partner and could generate opportunities for direct U.S. public investment.”

Wednesday, July 22

Subcommittee Hearing: The Unfolding Crisis in Burundi

12 p.m. on Wednesday, July 22 in 2200 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. Michael Jobbins
Director of Global Affairs
Search for Common Ground

Elavie Ndura, Ph.D.
Professor of Education
George Mason University

Ms. Alissa Wilson
Public Education and Advocacy Coordinator for Africa
American Friends Service Committee

Mr. Steve McDonald
Global Fellow
Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars

Chairman Smith on the hearing: “This hearing comes at a critical time for the small, landlocked African nation of Burundi. By shining a light on the increasing political violence and the constitutional impasse created by President Pierre Nkurunziza’s decision not to abide by constitutionally-mandated term limits, we hope to avert greater conflict and put an end to the growing refugee crisis.  The hour is late but there is still time – if we can muster the attention to care and the will to help.”

 

Thursday, July 23

Hearing: Implications of a Nuclear Agreement with Iran (Part III)

9 a.m. on Thursday, July 23 in 2172 Rayburn House Office Building

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

Invited Witnesses Include:

The Honorable Robert Joseph, Ph.D.
Senior Scholar
National Institute for Public Policy
(Former Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security)

Mr. Mark Dubowitz
Executive Director
Foundation for the Defense of Democracies

Mr. Ilan Goldenberg
Senior Fellow and Director
Middle East Security Program
Center for a New American Security

Thursday, July 23

Subcommittee Hearing: America’s Security Role in the South China Sea

2 p.m. on Thursday, July 23 in 2172 Rayburn House Office Building

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

Invited Witnesses Include:

Patrick M. Cronin, Ph.D.
Senior Advisor and Senior Director
Asia-Pacific Security Program
Center for a New American Security

Andrew S. Erickson, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
China Maritime Studies Institute
U.S. Naval War College

Mira Rapp Hooper, Ph.D.
Fellow, Asia Program
Director, Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative
Center for Strategic & International Studies

Michael D. Swaine, Ph.D.
Senior Associate
Asia Program
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

Chairman Salmon on the hearing:  “Overlapping territorial claims of the South China Sea have long been a source of international friction, and it’s no secret that China’s claims and actions have been the most aggressive. Chinese activity—such as island building, oil rig placement in disputed waters, and maritime activity using both its military and civilian fleets—has been unprecedented.  The White House, State Department, Department of Defense, and experts have all echoed concerns, indicating the severity of this threat to international rules and norms and prospects for conflict. This topic requires timely attention, given China’s continued development on these “unsinkable aircraft carriers” and its attempts to alter the status quo.  This Subcommittee will investigate Chinese activity in the South China Sea, gauge regional sentiment and developments, and determine legal, diplomatic, economic, and military solutions to ensure freedom of navigation and to support our regional partners.”

Thursday, July 23

Subcommittee Hearing: Pursuing North American Energy Independence: Mexico’s Energy Reforms

2 p.m. on Thursday, July 23 in 2200 Rayburn House Office Building

Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere
Rep. Jeff Duncan (R-SC), Chairman

The Honorable Carlos Pascual
Senior Vice President
IHS Inc.
(Former U.S. Ambassador to Mexico)

Thomas Tunstall, Ph.D.
Research Director
The University of Texas at San Antonio Institute for Economic Development

Tony Payan, Ph.D.
Director
Mexico Center
Baker Institute for Public Policy
Rice University

Mr. Eric Farnsworth
Vice President
Council of the Americas and Americas Society

 

Tuesday, July 28

Hearing to examine Iran nuclear agreement

10 a.m. on Tuesday, July 28 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

The Honorable Ernest Moniz
Secretary of Energy
U.S. Department of Energy

The Honorable Jacob Lew
Secretary of the Treasury
U.S. Department of the Treasury

Chairman Royce on the hearing: “This Iran deal is one of the most important in decades.  It reverses decades of bipartisan nonproliferation and regional policy, has several shortcomings, and demands the closest scrutiny.  Secretary Kerry and the other Administration officials will face tough questions before the Committee, as we continue our comprehensive review of the Iran deal and the Administration’s overall regional policy."

Ranking Member Engel on the hearing: “I look forward to hearing from Secretaries Kerry, Lew, and Moniz to discuss the Iran agreement. I have serious questions and concerns about this deal, and input from the Administration will be critical as Congress reviews the proposal.”

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

***Coverage note: All Foreign Affairs Committee proceedings are webcast live on the Committee’s website.

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