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

Thursday, June 7
Subcommittee Hearing: Advancing U.S. Business Investment and Trade in the Americas

2 p.m. on Thursday, June 7, in 2172 Rayburn House Office Building

Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere
Rep. Paul Cook (R-CA), Chairman

Invited witnesses include:

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

Mr. Neil Herrington
Senior Vice President for the Americas
U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Ms. Zoë Reiter
Interim Representative to the United States
Transparency International

Ms. Kellie Meiman Hock
Managing Partner
McClarty Associates

Chairman Cook on the hearing: “The U.S. accounted for nearly one-third of all foreign direct investment flows into Latin America and the Caribbean over the last decade and today is the largest individual source of foreign investment in the region. The region’s economic landscape provides tremendous opportunities for further growth and investment, especially in technology and energy sectors, and many U.S. businesses are beginning to explore the new opportunities. However, challenges with rampant corruption, poor regulatory frameworks, and a lack of transparency and accountability in government processes threaten the sustainability of future regional economic growth and make it difficult for greater U.S. commercial investment. These conditions also enable actors like China and Russia to promote their agendas in the region, which often do not align with market-oriented, democratic principles. The region has made significant advancements throughout the last decade, and this hearing will consider how the U.S. can work with our partners to encourage greater regional prosperity.”

Thursday, June 7
Subcommittee Hearing: A Bad Year for Human Rights in Vietnam

2 p.m. on Thursday, June 7, 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:

The Honorable Joseph Cao
Former Member of Congress

Nguyen Dinh Thang, Ph.D.
Executive Director
Boat People SOS

“Anthony Le” (an alias)
Spokesperson
Brotherhood for Democracy

Chairman Smith on the hearing: “A growing U.S.-Vietnam partnership does not mean the Vietnamese government should get a free pass on human rights.  Religious freedom, internet freedom, freedom of expression, independent labor unions, and the rule of law are desired by the Vietnamese people and are critical to U.S. efforts to establish a free and open Indo-Pacific region. They should be at the center of bilateral relations.”

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

###