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Washington D.C. – Congressman Michael McCaul (R-TX), Lead Republican of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, released the following statement applauding the passage of 12 bipartisan measures through the House Foreign Affairs Committee, including his Global Hope Act. The Global Hope Act will support efforts to help lower childhood cancer mortality rates in developing countries. 

“Today, the House Foreign Affairs Committee advanced 12 bipartisan measures, adding to the  strong record our committee has built this year. I am especially pleased the Global Hope Act, legislation I championed with Chairman Eliot Engel, will advance to the House Floor. Since my colleagues and I founded the Childhood Cancer Caucus over a decade ago, we have made tremendous strides forward to cure this terrible disease. In the United States, childhood cancer is largely curable, with an over 80% survival rate. Sadly, in developing countries, this is reversed- the mortality rate for children diagnosed with cancer is 80%. This is unacceptable, particularly given the low-cost measures and drugs that can treat pediatric cancer. This legislation will facilitate partnerships between the federal government, the private sector, research institutions, and non-governmental organizations to decrease pediatric cancer mortality in developing countries. A child’s chance of surviving cancer should not be determined by their birthplace.

“Additionally, the committee voted unanimously to advance measures to help secure the NATO alliance and support the human rights of the Iranian people. We also advanced an important counterterrorism measure that will elevate international border security standards and close security gaps that could allow potential terrorists to travel to our country. I would like to thank Chairman Eliot Engel for working with us to advance important bipartisan measures through the committee today- and over the course of this year- and look forward to continuing our bipartisan work in the new year.”

Learn more about the Global Hope Act here.

Full list of measures passed today:

H.R. 3373, Office of International Disability Rights Act

H.R. 5338, Global Hope Act

H.R. 4864, Global Child Thrive Act of 2019

H.R. 4508, Malala Yousafzai Scholarship Act

H.Res. 752, Supporting the rights of the people of Iran to free expression, condemning the Iranian regime for its crackdown on legitimate protests, and for other purposes

H.R. 2343, Peace and Tolerance in Palestinian Education Act

H.Res. 754, Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States should continue to support the people of Nicaragua in their peaceful efforts to promote democracy and human rights, and use the tools under United States law to increase political and financial pressure on the government of Daniel Ortega

H.R. 630, Counterterrorism Screening and Assistance Act of 2019

H.R. 3843, Countering Russian and Other Overseas Kleptocracy (CROOK) Act

H.R. 2444, Eastern European Security Act               

H.R. 4331, Tibetan Policy and Support Act of 2019

H.R. 3571, City and State Diplomacy Act

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