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

Wednesday, September 18

Hearing: Benghazi: Where is the State Department Accountability?

10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 18 in 2172 Rayburn House Office Building

Committee on Foreign Affairs

Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA), Chairman

Invited witnesses include:

The Honorable Patrick F. Kennedy
Under Secretary for Management
U.S. Department of State

Thursday, September 19

Subcommittee Hearing: Examining the Syrian Refugee Crisis

10:30 a.m. on Thursday, September 19 in 2172 Rayburn House Office Building

Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa

Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Chairman

Invited witnesses include:

The Honorable Anne C. Richard
Assistant Secretary
Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration
U.S. Department of State

The Honorable Nancy E. Lindborg
Assistant Administrator
Bureau for Democracy, Conflict and Humanitarian Assistance
U.S. Agency for International Development

Chairman Ros-Lehtinen on the hearing: “While much attention has been focused on Assad’s use of chemical weapons and the proper U.S. response, we should also continue to highlight the humanitarian aspect of the Syrian conflict. The Syrian crisis has caused more than 2 million refugees to flee to neighboring countries, the internal displacement of millions more, and a burden on Syria’s neighbors that could further destabilize this already volatile region. This hearing will examine the humanitarian crisis in Syria and look at the current status of the refugee and internally displaced persons populations within Syria and its neighboring countries. The U.S. has already provided over $1 billion in taxpayer dollars in response to this human tragedy, and it is important to take a closer look at what has been provided and to whom, and to examine future contingency plans if the conflict in Syria worsens.”

Thursday, September 19

Subcommittee Hearing: An Unclear Roadmap: Burma’s Fragile Political Reforms and Growing Ethnic Strife

2:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 19 in 2172 Rayburn House Office Building

Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific

Rep. Steve Chabot (R-OH), Chairman

Invited witnesses include:

The Honorable Tom Andrews
President
United to End Genocide

Ms. Jennifer Quigley
Executive Director
U.S. Campaign for Burma

Wakar Uddin, Ph.D.
Director General
The Arakan Rohingya Union

Mr. Ralph L. Cwerman
President
The Humpty Dumpty Institute

Chairman Chabot on the hearing: “Over the past two years, U.S. policy toward Burma has undergone a discernible transition from an “action-for-action” strategy to one that lacks established benchmarks. Throughout this time, we have also seen a mounting occurrence of ethnic violence, in some cases perpetrated by the hands of Burma’s military, which translates into an ever-increasing concern about Burma’s future.  Burma’s government has not issued a clear roadmap for continuing political reforms, which are undeniably fragile and yet reversible. This raises many questions about whether future reforms in Burma will be consistent with goals established under U.S. laws, and whether the Administration is taking the right steps in helping foster a stable and democratic society in Burma.  This hearing will be an important opportunity to examine the status of human rights, civil unrest, and political reform in Burma, while assessing the Administration’s impetuous engagement strategy.”

 

Thursday, September 19

Subcommittee Markup: H. Res. 284, Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives with respect to promoting energy security of European allies through opening up the Southern Gas Corridor

2:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 19 in 2200 Rayburn House Office Building

Subcommittee on Europe, Eurasia, and Emerging Threats

Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA), Chairman

 

***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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