Washington, D.C. - Today, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce (R-CA) announced the following upcoming committee events.
Tuesday, November 7
Subcommittee Hearing: Democracy and Governance in the Middle East and North Africa
10 a.m. on Tuesday, November 7, in 2172 Rayburn House Office Building
Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa
Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Chairman
Invited witnesses include.
Mr. Scott Mastic
Vice President for Programs
International Republican Institute
Mr. Leslie Campbell
Senior Associate and Regional Director for Middle East and North Africa Programs
National Democratic Institute
Ms. Zeinab Abdelkarim
Regional Director
Middle East and North Africa
International Foundation for Electoral Systems
Robert Herman, Ph.D.
Vice President for International Programs
Vice President for Emergency Assistance Programs and Multilateral Initiatives
Freedom House
Tuesday, November 7
Joint Subcommittee Hearing: Russia: Counterterrorism Partner or Fanning the Flames?
2 p.m. on Tuesday, November 7, in 2172 Rayburn House Office Building
Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade
Rep. Ted Poe (R-TX), Chairman
Subcommittee on Europe, Eurasia, and Emerging Threats
Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA), Chairman
Invited witnesses include.
Colin P. Clarke, Ph.D.
Political Scientist
RAND Corporation
Svante Cornell, Ph.D.
Senior Fellow for Eurasia
Director of the Central Asia-Caucasus Institute
American Foreign Policy Council
Mr. Simon Saradzhyan
Director of the Russia Matters Project
Assistant Director of U.S.-Russia Initiative to Prevent Nuclear Terrorism
Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs
Harvard Kennedy School
Michael Carpenter, Ph.D.
Nonresident Senior Fellow
Dinu Patriciu Eurasia Center
Atlantic Council
Senior Director of the Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement
University of Pennsylvania
Chairman Poe on the hearing: “Russia has targeted ISIS and al-Qaeda-linked militants in Syria since 2015, yet their backing of the Assad regime, indiscriminate bombing, and support for Iranian-aligned Shiite militias raises the question: is Moscow doing more harm than help in the fight against international terrorism? The Kremlin has long had a mixed relationship with terrorism, from combating Chechen militants operating within its own borders to backing violent separatist in its neighboring countries. This hearing will allow Members to learn more about Russia’s relationship with terrorism and delve into the policy debate surrounding whether or not the United States can and should look for a helping hand from Moscow in our fight against terrorism."
Chairman Rohrabacher on the hearing: “Our country, the United States, is faced by adversaries who wish us harm. As recent events in New York again reminded us, radical violent Islamism continues to target America. Likewise, the people of Russia have also suffered from the consequences of violent Islamism. To the extent possible, common interest between the US and Russia to fight these forces should continue to encourage common actions."
Wednesday, November 8
Joint Subcommittee Hearing: The President’s Plan for Afghanistan and Pakistan: Objectives and Resources
10 a.m. on Wednesday, November 8, in 2172 Rayburn House Office Building
Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa
Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Chairman
Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific
Ted Yoho (R-FL), Chairman
Invited witnesses include.
The Honorable Alice G. Wells
Acting Assistant Secretary
Acting Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan
Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs
U.S. Department of State
Mr. Gregory Huger
Assistant to the Administrator
Office of Afghanistan and Pakistan Affairs
U.S. Agency for International Development
Chairman Yoho on the hearing: “South Asia presents some of the United States’ most serious and enduring security challenges. A productive U.S.-Pakistan relationship is essential to bring stability to the region, but doubts persist about Pakistan’s commitment to denying terrorists safe harbor. In this hearing, the subcommittees will hear the latest on U.S. civilian efforts in Afghanistan and Pakistan, determine how they fit into the President’s new plan for the region, and oversee the administration’s resourcing decisions."
Wednesday, November 8
Subcommittee Hearing: Examining the Effectiveness of the Kingpin Designation Act in the Western Hemisphere
2 p.m. on Wednesday, November 8, in 2172 Rayburn House Office Building
Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere
Rep. Paul Cook (R-CA), Chairman
Invited witnesses include.
Mr. David Hall
Partner
Wiggin and Dana LLP
(Former Prosecutor, U.S. Department of Justice)
Dr. Emanuele Ottolenghi
Senior Fellow
Center on Sanctions and Illicit Finance
Foundation for Defense of Democracies
Chairman Cook on the hearing: “The opioid crisis is a reminder of the importance of U.S. counternarcotics efforts in the Western Hemisphere. One critical aspect of this effort is with the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act. Through this law, the U.S. employs sanctions programs targeting major international drug traffickers. It has recently been used against Venezuelan government officials and Mexican drug cartel operatives. This hearing will examine the impact and effectiveness of the Kingpin Act and consider how to improve U.S. counternarcotics sanctions in the Western Hemisphere. Stopping drug trafficking is a priority for the United States, and as the new Chairman of the Western Hemisphere Subcommittee, I will be looking to foster deeper security cooperation on this critical issue."
Thursday, November 9
Subcommittee Hearing: Resolving the Political Crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
9 a.m. on Thursday, November 9, in 2172 Rayburn House Office Building
Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations
Rep. Christopher H. Smith (R-NJ), Chairman
Invited witnesses include.
Panel I
The Honorable Donald Yamamoto
Acting Assistant Secretary
Bureau of African Affairs
U.S. Department of State
Ms. Cheryl Anderson
Acting Assistant Administrator
Bureau for Africa
U.S. Agency for International Development
Panel II
Mr. Mvemba Dizolele
Professor of African History
Johns Hopkins University
Mr. Fred Bauma
Representative
La Lutte pour le Changement
Ms. Severine Autesserre
Professor of Political Science
Barnard College
Columbia University
Chairman Smith on the hearing: “The government of Joseph Kabila delayed the required 2016 presidential elections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in which he was forbidden by the constitution to run for reelection. Since then, his government has continued to bog down preparations for an election to replace him, which now is being predicted for no earlier than 2019. This hearing is intended to gather suggestions from the State Department, USAID and private sector witnesses on how to overcome the current transition stalemate in the DRC."
***See foreignaffairs.house.gov for updates.
***Coverage note: All Foreign Affairs Committee proceedings are webcast live at foreignaffairs.house.gov/live-feed.
