Committee to Hear from Renowned Economist, Former Secretary of State

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, announced that on Tuesday, May 21, he will convene a hearing to examine the economic causes of the unrest in the Middle East and North Africa, in particular, the Arab Spring.  The hearing entitled, “The Call for Economic Liberty in the Arab World,” will begin at 9:30 a.m.

Chairman Royce on the hearing: “While much attention has been paid to the political roots of the Arab Spring, far less has been focused on the economic causes of unrest across the Middle East and North Africa.  If we fail to consider the underlying causes of unrest – which can be traced to a lack of legal protections for personal property, endemic corruption, and other constraints to economic growth – no amount of U.S. foreign assistance will help bring stability to the region. 

“This hearing will give Members an opportunity to consider the economic causes of unrest in the Middle East and North Africa and determine whether U.S. investments, $1.5 billion to date, have any chance of advancing democratic and economic aspirations in the Arab world.”           

What:
Hearing: The Call for Economic Liberty in the Arab World

When:
9:30 a.m., Tuesday, May 21

Where:
2172 Rayburn House Office Building

Witness List:

Mr. Hernando de Soto
President
Institute for Liberty and Democracy

The Honorable Madeleine K. Albright
Chairman
Albright Stonebridge Group
former Secretary of State

***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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