Including Measures to Strength Hezbollah Sanctions and Africa Trade

Washington, D.C. – Today, the House Foreign Affairs Committee, chaired by Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA), passed nine measures, including two measures to further sanction Hezbollah (H.R. 3329 and H.R. 3342) and a measure to strengthen U.S.-Africa trade (H.R. 3445). 

On the measures to further sanction Hezbollah, Chairman Royce said:  “Hezbollah and Iran are reportedly introducing game-changing facilities into the region—independent factories that can produce rockets to be used against Israel and our allies.  We also have reports of missile factories opening up in Lebanon near mosques, homes, hospitals, and schools.  It is clear that Hezbollah intends to increase their exploitation of Lebanese civilians as defenseless human shields.  So today the Committee is taking action against Hezbollah and its sponsor Iran, by passing legislation that tightens the screws on Hezbollah’s financial operations globally.”

On H.R. 3445, Chairman Royce said: “This legislation builds upon and strengthens AGOA, a trade initiative I authored in 2000 that has since tripled U.S.-Africa trade.  Today’s legislation will help developing countries – particularly in Africa – make the transition from aid to trade.  It will also enhance the transparency, accountability, and impact of the Millennium Challenge Corporation, which promotes economic growth opportunities in developing countries committed to good governance.” 

Additionally, the Committee passed the following measures:

  • As amended, H. Res. 422, introduced by Rep. Eliot Engel (D-NY), which urges the adherence to the “one country, two systems” policy regarding Hong Kong;
  • As amended, H.R. 425, FTO Passport Revocation Act of 2017, introduced by Rep. Ted Poe (R-TX), which directs the State Department to refuse to issue a passport to an individual who is a member of or who has aided a foreign terrorist organization;
  • As amended, H.R. 1196, Counterterrorism Screening and Assistance Act of 2017, introduced by Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-NY), which improves border security and information sharing between governments at a time when terrorists are working to move across borders without detection;
  • H.R. 1660, Global Health Innovation Act of 2017, introduced by Rep. Albio Sires (D-NJ), which directs the USAID Administrator to report to Congress, annually for four years, on global health innovations in USAID programs, projects, and activities;
  • As amended, H.R. 2658, Venezuela Humanitarian Assistance and Defense of Democratic Governance Act of 2017, introduced by Rep. Eliot Engel (D-NY), which directs the Department of State to work through nongovernmental organizations to provide public health commodities, basic food commodities, and related technical assistance to Venezuela; and
  • H.R. 3320, introduced by Rep. Ted Yoho (R-FL), which directs the Secretary of State to develop a strategy to regain observer status for Taiwan in the World Health Organization.

A summary of the Committee action, including adopted amendments, will be available HERE.

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