(Former Commissioner, U.S.-China Economic and Security Commission)
Chairman Salmon on the hearing: “As the Administration flounders on its pivot to Asia, this subcommittee will examine ways we can proactively contribute to our nation’s economic and political shift to the region. 2015 will be an important year for the Asia-Pacific, especially as it is one of the most dynamic, diverse, and strategically important regions in the world. 2015 will be marked by numerous anniversaries, major U.S. engagement programs, upcoming state visits from Asian leaders, and the potential passage of the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement. At the same time, there continue to be sparks of instability and unrest, including a hostile North Korea, a proactive but coercive China, and political transitions in Southeast Asia. As the United States continues to ‘rebalance’ to the region, it is paramount to discuss opportunities and challenges for U.S. engagement in the region. The hearing will map out major regional economic priorities and lingering or latent security concerns in Asia."
Thursday, February 26
Subcommittee Hearing: The President’s New Cuba Policy and U.S. National Security
10 a.m. on Thursday, February 26 in 2167 Rayburn House Office Building**
Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere
Rep. Jeff Duncan (R-SC), Chairman
Invited Witnesses Include.
Mr. Chris Simmons
Editor
Cuba Confidential
Mr. Fernando Menéndez
Senior Fellow
Center for a Secure Free Society
José Azel, Ph.D.
Senior Research Associate
Institute for Cuban and Cuban-American Studies
University of Miami
The Honorable Dennis K. Hays
Director
The Emergence Group
Chairman Duncan on the hearing: “In 1982, Cuba was designated as a State Sponsor of Terrorism for providing critical support to many terrorist organizations. Today, given the links between Cuba and China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia and the close proximity to the U.S. homeland, I am deeply concerned about the U.S. national security implications of the Administration’s Cuba policy change. Cuba continues to support terrorist organizations, and it was caught red-handed proliferating weapons to North Korea as recently as last year. Cuba has also been stunningly successful in espionage against the U.S., in trafficking U.S. national security secrets to hostile regimes, and in benefiting from a criminal pipeline spanning Cuba to Florida. This hearing will examine the U.S. national security implications of the President’s Cuba policy change and potential vulnerabilities to Americans as a result."
Thursday, February 26
Joint Subcommittee Hearing: The Shame of Iranian Human Rights
2 p.m. on Thursday, February 26 in 2172 Rayburn House Office Building
Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations
Rep. Christopher H. Smith (R-NJ), Chairman
Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa
Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Chairman
Invited Witnesses Include.
Mr. Shayan Arya
Central Committee Member
Constitutionalist Party of Iran (Liberal Democrat)
Mr. Mohsen Sazegara
President
Research Institute on Contemporary Iran
Chairman Smith on the hearing: “In spite of the fact that the Iranian regime continues to imprison Americans and detain many of its own citizens for simply exercising their fundamental rights, its leaders want the world to lift sanctions and simply trust them with nuclear capabilities. At this hearing witnesses will testify about the current Iranian Government’s horrific human rights record, which includes killings, unlawful imprisonments and torture, and the refusal to respect the basic freedoms of speech, assembly and religion. As the administration continues to negotiate with some of the world’s worst human rights abusers, we must remember that concessions to regimes with terrible records of cruelties and human rights violations undermine American moral leadership and the values upon which our country is founded."
***Friday, February 27
Markup: H.R. 757 North Korea Sanctions Enforcement Act
9:30 a.m. on Friday, February 27 in 2172 Rayburn House Office Building
Committee on Foreign Affairs
Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA), Chairman
NOTE: Further measures may be added.
***See foreignaffairs.house.gov for updates.
***Coverage note: All Foreign Affairs Committee proceedings are webcast live at foreignaffairs.house.gov/live-video-feed.
