Washington, D.C. – Today, the House Foreign Affairs Committee, chaired by Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA), passed nine bipartisan measures, including bills to combat wildlife trafficking, improve embassy security and strengthen U.S. cyber deterrence efforts.

On H.R. 6197, which authorizes rewards to thwart wildlife trafficking linked to transnational organized crime, Chairman Royce said: “This legislation builds on the committee’s conservation work by prioritizing efforts to counter transnational wildlife traffickers through the State Department’s existing rewards program. These tools were successfully used in 2014 to bring a Laotian trafficker, known as the ‘Pablo Escobar’ of wildlife crime, to justice. I want to thank the bill’s author, Rep. Dan Donovan, for this measure.”

On H.R. 4969, as amended, which improves the design and construction of diplomatic posts, Chairman Royce said: “This legislation will improve the security, functionality and efficiency of America’s embassies. I want to thank the bill’s sponsors, Chairman McCaul and Rep. Kelley, as well as Ranking Member Engel for their work on this legislation. By strengthening oversight and management of construction of new facilities, we can better protect our diplomats and save taxpayer dollars.”

On H.R. 5576, as amended, which addresses state-sponsored cyber activities against the United States, Chairman Royce said: “Malicious cyber activity by foreign governments, including Russia, China and North Korea, cannot be tolerated. Chairman Yoho’s bill before us today builds on this committee’s previous work by establishing a framework for deterring and responding to malicious state-sponsored cyber activity.”

Additionally, the committee passed the following measures:

  • As amended, H. Res. 256, introduced by Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN), which expresses support for the countries of Eastern Europe and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization;
  • As amended, H. Res. 944, introduced by Rep. Norma Torres (D-CA), which expresses solidarity with and sympathy for the people of Guatemala after the June 3, 2018, eruption of the Fuego Volcano;
  • As amended, H.R. 1697, Israel Anti-Boycott Act, introduced by Rep. Peter Roskam (R-IL), which combats restrictive trade practices or boycotts fostered by international governmental organizations against countries friendly to the United States;
  • As amended, H.R. 5898, UNRWA Accountability Act of 2018, introduced by Rep. David Cicilline (D-RI), which requires the Secretary of State to develop a strategy on administration policy regarding UNRWA;
  • As amended, H.R. 6207, Democratic Republic of the Congo Democracy and Accountability Act of 2018, introduced by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), which supports democracy and accountability in the Democratic Republic of the Congo; and
  • H. Con. Res. 20, introduced by Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-NY), which expresses the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the execution-style murders of United States citizens Ylli, Agron, and Mehmet Bytyqi in the Republic of Serbia in July 1999.

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

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