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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, House Foreign Affairs Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee Chairman Michael Lawler delivered opening remarks at a subcommittee hearing titled, “Maximum Impact: Assessing the Effectiveness of the Bureau of Counterterrorism and the Path Forward.”

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-Remarks-

Good afternoon, and thank you to our witnesses for being here today. From the Houthis in Yemen to al-Shabaab in the Sahel to ISIS in Afghanistan, global terrorism remains a persistent and evolving threat to the safety and security of Americans both at home and abroad. Terrorism endangers lives, destabilizes regions, disrupts commerce, and undermines U.S. interests worldwide.

While countering violent extremism has long required a comprehensive whole-of-government approach, the threat landscape has evolved, yet our counterterrorism strategy has not kept pace. Today, we examine the critical role of the Coordinator for Counterterrorism and the Bureau of Counterterrorism at the U.S. Department of State.

Established by Congress in 1998, the Coordinator for Counterterrorism was created to serve as a central node for U.S. diplomatic efforts to combat terrorism abroad. Now housed within the Bureau of Counterterrorism, the Coordinator leads a team that advances U.S. counterterrorism policy and coordinates with partner nations globally.

The Bureau’s work includes diplomatic engagement, designating terrorist entities, implementing targeted assistance programs, and training foreign law enforcement, border control, and judicial officials to identify, disrupt, and prosecute terrorist actors and networks. These overseas investments provide national security benefits at home.

To succeed in today’s evolving environment, the Bureau must function effectively within the broader interagency framework, coordinating closely with partners such as the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security, and various intelligence and law enforcement agencies. A clearly defined mission and delineated authorities are essential to prevent duplication and conflict.

Effective coordination is especially critical when confronting state sponsors of terrorism, particularly Iran. In 2024, Iran exported an estimated 587 million barrels of oil, a 10.75% increase from the previous year. These revenues likely support terrorist proxies, including Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis.

I’m especially interested in how the Bureau disrupts financial and trade networks fueling Iran’s terrorism, and whether our security assistance aligns with counterterrorism priorities. The Bureau can assess partner nation capabilities, but it’s unclear how these assessments influence funding decisions. For instance, Morocco and Lebanon face different threats but receive similar foreign military financing.

We should consider whether the Bureau should have a more formal role in prioritizing security assistance when counterterrorism is the primary objective. At a time when adversaries like China and Russia seek to undermine U.S. leadership, it’s critical for Congress to strengthen the authority, mission, and effectiveness of the Coordinator for Counterterrorism.

Through reauthorization, we must ensure every dollar spent and every diplomat deployed supports American safety and security. Under the Trump administration, we now have the opportunity to modernize our counterterrorism approach and chart a stronger path forward.

Our witnesses today bring valuable experience from leading the Bureau and analyzing U.S. security policy. Their testimony will help identify structural challenges and key reforms needed from Congress.

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