Look Ahead — Week of July 28 – August 1
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, announced the following upcoming Committee events:
Tuesday, July 29
10:15 a.m. on Tuesday, July 29 in 2172 Rayburn House Office Building
Subcommittee on Europe, Eurasia, and Emerging Threats
Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA), Chairman
Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade
Ted Poe (R-TX), Chairman
Invited Witnesses Include:
Mr. Ian Brzezinski
Resident Senior Fellow
Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security
Atlantic Council
Mr. Anthony Salvia
Executive Director
American Institute in Ukraine
The Honorable William B. Taylor
Vice President for Middle East and Africa
United States Institute of Peace
(Former United States Ambassador to Ukraine)
ChairmanRohrabacher on the hearing: “The downing of Malaysia Airlines flight 17 is a tragedy that should not have happened. President Putin needs to step forward and reveal the truth. The Russian government needs to help hold accountable those responsible for theshoot down. The victim’s families deserve justice and the world deserves to know that happened. This hearing will help to bring forth what facts we do know and provide the Members with additional information about how a proper investigation could be conducted.”
Chairman Poe on the hearing: “Putin’s sponsorship of terrorists in Ukraine is increasing by the day. U.S. and European leaders have been slow to respond, offering only pin pricks which Putin has now responded to by firing into sovereign Ukrainian territory. If the world doesn’t send a clear message to Putin that his reckless behavior will not be tolerated, his aggression will not end with eastern Ukraine.”
Tuesday, July 29
Hearing: Iran Nuclear Negotiations: From Extension to Final Agreement?
2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 29 in 2172 of Rayburn House Office Building
Ed Royce (R-CA), Chairman
Invited Witnesses Include:
The Honorable Wendy R. Sherman
Under Secretary for Political Affairs
U.S. Department of State
The Honorable David S. Cohen
Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence
U.S. Department of the Treasury
In response to the four month extension in the nuclear talks, Chairman Royce said: “I don’t see an extension of funding to Iran as progress. It looks like the Iranians won extra time with a good cop-bad cop routine, backing off the Supreme Leader’s absurd claim for 190,000 centrifuges. This tells me Iran, with centrifuges spinning, thinks time is on its side. Increased economic pressure would strengthen our hand, but the Administration opposes it. It should welcome congressional efforts to ratchet up the economic pressure on Iran. Any deal should be graded on its technical merits, not in the hopes of a partnership with Iran on Iraq and other issues, as some have argued. Iran’s terrorist-backing activities, including illicitly shipping missiles to Hamas, demands even higher standards of verification for any deal. Everything about Iran’s nuclear program signals ‘nuclear bomb,’ yesterday, today, and I worry tomorrow.”
Wednesday, July 30
10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 30 in 2172 Rayburn House Office Building
Ed Royce (R-CA), Chairman
Wednesday, July 30
2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 30 in 2172 Rayburn House Office Building
Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific
Steve Chabot (R-OH), Chairman
Invited Witnesses Include:
The Honorable Glyn Davies
Special Representative for North Korea Policy
Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs
U.S. Department of State
The Honorable Robert King
Special Envoy for North Korean Human Rights
Office of the Special Envoy for Human Rights in North Korea
U.S. Department of State
ChairmanChabot on the hearing: “In 1994, the Clinton Administration announced to the world the signing of the Agreed Framework that was supposed to result in a nuclear weapons-free North Korea. Twenty-years later, the goal of denuclearization in North Korea is no closer to reality. Rather, Pyongyang’s nuclear and missile weapons programs continue to make progress, threatening the stability of the entire Asia region. After 20 years of failed policies, it is time for a newapproach to North Korea. The regime’s efforts to proliferate, counterfeit, and undermine are well-known and documented—as are North Korea’s systematic and horrific human rights abuses. This hearing will examine whether the Administration intends to cripple the North Korean regime by considering more targeted sanctions or whether the failed policy of “strategic patience” will continue.”
Wednesday, July 30
Subcommittee Hearing: Building Prosperity in Latin America: Investor Confidence in the Rule of Law
2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 30 in 2200 Rayburn House Office Building
Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere
Matt Salmon (R-AZ), Chairman
Invited Witnesses Include:
The Honorable James K. Glassman
Visiting Fellow
American Enterprise Institute
(Former Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, U.S. Department of State)
ChairmanSalmon on the hearing: “Rule of law, predictability, and strong democratic institutions are vital in providing the confidence investors need to bring economic opportunity, growth and jobs to any given country. Latin America is rich in resources and human capital, but many countries in the region are plagued by corruption, weak institutions, and leaders who systematically erode democratic values. Argentina’s continued flouting of past debt obligations places what should be a vibrant economy at risk ofanother default. Market unfriendly regulations in Brazil, Ecuador, and Bolivia have similarly shaken investor confidence, affecting economic growth in the region. This hearing will give my Subcommittee the opportunity to examine where confidence has been shaken, how U.S. economic interests are affected, and what if anything the United States can do to encourage greater transparency and market friendly approaches throughout the Americas. The dire situation in Central America is a perfect example of how weak institutions and endemic corruption can have corroding effects on economic growth and opportunity.”
***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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