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

Tuesday, June 2

Hearing: Americans Detained In Iran

(See below for information on markup of H. Res. 233 immediately following hearing.)

10 a.m. on Tuesday, June 2 in 2172 Rayburn House Office Building

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

Invited Witnesses Include:

Mrs. Nagameh Abedini
(Wife of Saeed Abedini)

Ms. Sarah Hekmati
(Sister of Amir Hekmati)

Mr. Daniel Levinson
(Son of Robert Levinson)

Mr. Ali Rezaian
(Brother of Jason Rezaian)

Chairman Royce on the hearing: “The detentions or disappearance of four Americans inside Iran are more examples of the Iranian regime’s horrendous human rights record.  Unfortunately, this is nothing new for the regime.  This hearing will give Members of the Committee and the American public an opportunity to hear from the families of these four Americans and explore ways to secure their release.”

Tuesday, June 2

Markup: H. Res. 233, Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that Iran should immediately release the 3 United States citizens it holds, as well as provide all known information on any United States citizens that have disappeared within its borders

11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, June 2 in 2172 Rayburn House Office Building
NOTE: Markup will begin immediately following the conclusion of the above hearing.

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

Tuesday, June 2

Subcommittee Hearing: State Department’s Counterterrorism Bureau

2 p.m. on Tuesday, June 2 in 2172 Rayburn House Office Building

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

Invited Witnesses Include:

Panel I
Mr. Charles Johnson, Jr.
Director, Counterterrorism and Security Assistance Issues
International Affairs and Trade
Government Accountability Office

Panel II
Mr. Justin Siberell
Deputy Coordinator for Regional Affairs and Programs
Bureau of Counterterrorism
U.S. Department of State

Chairman Poe on the hearing: “The primary mission of the State Department’s Bureau of Counterterrorism is to forge partnerships with non-state actors, multilateral organizations, and foreign governments to advance the counterterrorism objectives and national security of the U.S. This hearing will be an opportunity for Congress to conduct important oversight of the Bureau to make sure its programs are using taxpayer dollars both efficiently and effectively. Terrorist organizations are recruiting and radicalizing like never before and it is important that the U.S. work with its foreign partners to counter the threat of violent extremists at home and abroad.”

 

Wednesday, June 3

Subcommittee Hearing: U.S. Policy Towards ISIL After Terror Group Seizes Ramadi and Palmyra

12 p.m. on Wednesday, June 3 in 2172 Rayburn House Office Building

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

Invited Witnesses Include:

Michael Rubin, Ph.D.
Resident Scholar
American Enterprise Institute

Anthony H. Cordesman, Ph.D.
Arleigh A. Burke Chair in Strategy
Center for Strategic and International Studies

Matthew Spence, Ph.D.
(Former Deputy Assistant Secretary for Middle East Policy, U.S. Department of Defense)

Chairman Ros-Lehtinen on the hearing: “The recent setback against ISIL in Iraq and Syria, including the fall of Ramadi and the capture of the historic city of Palmyra, highlights the ongoing and immediate need for the Obama administration to develop a substantive and clear comprehensive strategy to defeat ISIL. As ISIL continues to spread terror in the Middle East, this hearing will examine the radical Islamist group’s strategy, the Obama administration’s current plans for Iraq and Syria, and the effectiveness and strength of the coalition fighting ISIL. In addition to assessing the U.S. mission in Iraq and Syria, Members will also have an opportunity to evaluate the various Shi’ite militias currently operating and to analyze the underlying causes of the conflict, including the readiness and capability of Iraqi security forces, and Iran’s growing influence in the region.”

Wednesday, June 3

Subcommittee Hearing: The Future of U.S.-Zimbabwe Relations

2 p.m. on Wednesday, June 3 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:

Panel I
Shannon Smith, Ph.D.
Deputy Assistant Secretary
Bureau of African Affairs
U.S. Department of State

Panel II
Mr. Ben Freeth
Executive Director
Mike Campbell Foundation

Ms. Imani Countess
Regional Program Director for Africa
The Solidarity Center

Chairman Smith on the hearing: “The United States has experienced a troubled relationship with the southern African nation of Zimbabwe from its founding in 1980 until today. President Robert Mugabe has ruled through repressive tactics since he rose to power. This hearing will examine current U.S. policy and look ahead to what the post-Mugabe landscape might look like.”

 

***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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