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, June 24

Subcommittee Hearing: Colombia: Peace with the FARC?

3 p.m. on Wednesday, June 24 in 2172 Rayburn House Office Building

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

Invited witnesses include:

The Honorable Bernard Aronson
Special Envoy to the Colombian Peace Process
U.S. Department of State

Mr. Alex Lee
Deputy Assistant Secretary for South America and Cuba
Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs
U.S. Department of State

Chairman Duncan on the hearing: “Colombia is a critically important country in the Hemisphere and is one of the largest recipients of U.S. foreign assistance in Latin America. After nearly 50 years of internal armed conflict with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), which has claimed around 220,000 lives and displaced more than five million people, President Santos and the FARC began peace talks in 2012 with the hope of resolving the conflict and pursuing a lasting peace. To this end, the American people have given almost $10 Billion to support Plan Colombia and achieve the end of this conflict, combat drug trafficking, and promote internal development. We have seen clear results from this investment, because today Colombia stands as a model for the region as a strong democracy, economic and financial powerhouse, and a leader in training other countries’ police and military forces throughout the region. However, these peace talks have been ongoing for two and a half years with more than 30 rounds of talks, the FARC has continued its attacks in Colombia and remains a U.S. designated Foreign Terrorist Organization, and vital issues of victims’ reparations, disarmament, transitional justice, and how the final agreement will be approved, verified, and implemented remain outstanding. I look forward to hearing from the Administration witnesses on how the U.S. is approaching engagement with Colombia on these important issues, and getting their first-hand accounting of exactly where these important talks are headed.”

 

Thursday, June 25

Markup: H.R. ____ and H.R. 2037

10 a.m. on Thursday, June 25 in 2172 Rayburn House Office Building

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

Bills to be marked up include:

H.R. ____, Department of State Operations and Embassy Security Authorization Act of 2016

H.R. 2037, United States Commission on International Religious Freedom Reauthorization Act of 2015

Thursday, June 25

Subcommittee Hearing: Is Academic Freedom Threatened by China's Influence on U.S. Universities?

2 p.m. on Thursday, June 25 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:

Ms. Susan V. Lawrence
Specialist in Asian Affairs
Congressional Research Service

Mr. Jeffrey S. Lehman
Vice Chancellor
New York University – Shanghai

Mirta M. Martin, Ph.D.
President
Fort Hays State University

Chairman Smith on the hearing: “The Chinese educational market is a lucrative one, but we have to ask if there are any hidden costs for American schools and colleges seeking access to that market.  By rushing to build campuses in China and signing agreements to have Chinese government entities on American campuses, are universities and schools accepting restrictions on foundational principles of American higher education?   The American university model is the world’s best and they should be ambassadors for freedom and democracy globally.  Our universities should also be islands of freedom where foreign students can enjoy the fundamental freedoms denied them in their own country.   This hearing will detail some of the costs and benefits of such educational partnerships and offer recommendations on how such partnerships can protect academic freedom and the fundamental human rights of faculty and students.”

 

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

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

###