Washington, D.C. - Today, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce (R-CA) announced the following upcoming committee events.
Wednesday, January 10
Hearing: Sanctions and Financial Pressure: Major National Security Tools
10 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 10, in 2172 Rayburn House Office Building
Committee on Foreign Affairs
Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA), Chairman
Invited witnesses include.
The Honorable Juan C. Zarate
Chairman and Co-Founder
Financial Integrity Network
(Former Assistant Secretary for Terrorist Financing and Financial Crimes, U.S. Department of the Treasury)
Mr. Derek Maltz
Executive Director
Governmental Relations
Pen-Link, Ltd.
(Former Special Agent in Charge, Special Operations Division, Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Department of Justice)
Mr. Adam Szubin
Distinguished Practitioner-in-Residence
Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies
(Former Acting Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, U.S. Department of the Treasury)
Chairman Royce on the hearing: “With the leadership of this committee, Congress has used sanctions to marshal America’s economic might against threats to our national security. Last August, we enacted tough new sanctions on three regimes - North Korea, Russia and Iran - that continue to undermine global stability. The House has also passed sanctions cracking down on Hezbollah’s use of drug trafficking and other criminal activities to fund its terror. With this hearing, the committee will review the implementation and enforcement of these efforts by agencies including the Departments of Treasury, State, Commerce, and Justice."
Wednesday, January 10
Subcommittee Hearing: Upcoming Elections in the Western Hemisphere: Implications for U.S. Policy
2 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 10, in 2172 Rayburn House Office Building
Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere
Rep. Paul Cook (R-CA), Chairman
Invited witnesses include.
Ms. Katya Rimkunas
Deputy Director
Latin America and the Caribbean
International Republican Institute
Mr. Michael Svetlik
Vice President of Programs
International Foundation for Electoral Systems
Mr. Jim Swigert
Senior Associate and Regional Director
Latin America and Caribbean Programs
National Democratic Institute
Chairman Cook on the hearing: “This year, the Western hemisphere will hold 12 elections in nine countries in the region, including six presidential elections. These events have the potential to alter the political trajectory of the region and impact U.S. interests. In particular, Brazil’s elections could affect the country’s reforms, Colombia’s elections may influence the fate of the peace deal and the country’s approach to coca production, and Mexico’s elections might impact its energy reforms, which have revolutionized the energy landscape for North America. Further challenges may also occur as Venezuela holds a controversial presidential election and Raul Castro eventually steps down as the official leader of Cuba. This hearing will examine this electoral landscape, the political context from anti-corruption efforts in the region, and challenges for public institutions to ensure free and fair elections. I look forward to considering how the United States can best support democracy and citizens’ ability to choose their leaders freely in these elections."
***See foreignaffairs.house.gov for updates.
***Coverage note: All Foreign Affairs Committee proceedings are webcast live at foreignaffairs.house.gov/live-feed.
