Washington, D.C. – Today, the House Foreign Affairs Committee, chaired by Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA), passed ten bipartisan measures, including bills to condemn the crisis in Venezuela, counter Iranian destabilization of Iraq, and combat HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria globally.

On H. Res. 1006, as amended, which condemns the deteriorating situation in Venezuela and the regional humanitarian crisis it has caused, Chairman Royce said: “This resolution further affirms Congress’ continuing commitment to helping the people of Venezuela in their struggle against the Maduro regime’s brutal and destructive rule.”

On H.R. 4591, as amended, which imposes sanctions on Iranian persons that threaten the peace or stability of Iraq, Chairman Royce said: “This bill codifies and enhances existing authorities for the president to hold Iran and its militias accountable for their deadly activities in Iraq. These militias are not only a threat to the Iraqi people – earlier this month, these militias launched mortars at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad.”

On H.R. 6651, as amended, which extends United Sates efforts to combat HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria globally, Chairman Royce said: “In 2003, Congress and the Bush administration united to stem the tide of HIV infections that threatened to wipe out a generation of people in Africa. Today, PEPFAR has proven hugely effective, saving innumerable lives and winning the U.S. great good will.

“Our committee has held hearings, briefings, and gone to Africa to conduct oversight over the supply chain for this lifesaving program. We will be finalizing a report on this important work soon. I want to thank Chairman Smith and Ranking Members Engel and Bass for their dedication to this issue.”     

Additionally, the committee passed the following measures:

  • H. Res. 931, introduced by Rep. Sander Levin (D-MI), which expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the 85th anniversary of the Ukrainian Famine of 1932–1933, known as the Holodomor, should serve as a reminder of repressive Soviet policies against the people of Ukraine;
  • H. Res. 1052, introduced by Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-TX), which affirms United States-Australia cooperation on space research, exploration and utilization;
  • H. Res. 1055, introduced by Rep. Dan Donovan (R-NY), which affirms strong United States-Liberia ties and support for democratic principles, and calls for full implementation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission recommendations, including the establishment of an Extraordinary Criminal Tribunal for Liberia;
  • As amended, H.R. 1567, United States-Mexico Economic Partnership Act, introduced by Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX), which promotes economic partnership and cooperation between the United States and Mexico;
  • As amended, H.R. 5273, Global Fragility and Violence Reduction Act of 2018, introduced by Rep. Eliot Engel (D-NY), which reduces global fragility and violence by improving the capacity of the United States to reduce and address the causes of violence, violent conflict, and fragility in pilot countries;
  • As amended, H.R. 6018, Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership Act of 2018, introduced by Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX), which establishes an interagency program to assist countries in North and West Africa to improve immediate and long-term capabilities to counter terrorist threats; and
  • As amended, H.R. 6413, STOP Organ Trafficking Act introduced by Rep. Dave Trott (R-MI), which combats trafficking in human organs.

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

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