Washington D.C. – House Foreign Affairs Committee Lead Republican Michael McCaul (R-TX) announced that the committee approved nine important measures, six bills and three resolutions, with overwhelming bipartisan support at today’s full committee markup.

 

Lead Republican McCaul: “I commend our Committee members on both sides of the aisle for coming together to pass nine important measures to enhance national security, promote human rights, and empower our allies. As the lead Republican on the United States-Northern Triangle Enhanced Engagement Act, I am pleased we took a big step to address the root drivers of illegal migration from Central America and confront the growing crisis at our borders.

“The Committee also passed my USAID Branding Modernization Act, which will clearly define U.S. foreign assistance overseas by branding it with the American flag and other U.S. agency insignia as appropriate. Our nation is a lead provider of foreign assistance worldwide and it’s important that our recipients understand that it is the American people providing them support. Finally, the Committee passed our bipartisan U.S.-Turkey resolution to send a strong message to our longstanding ally, Turkey, that we will not stand by idly if they choose to partner with Russia over their NATO allies.

“I am proud of the work accomplished here today and look forward passing these vital measures through Congress to get them to the President’s desk.”

 

Committee passed legislation includes:

  • H.R. 2615, United States-Northern Triangle Enhanced Engagement Act, introduced by Rep. Eliot Engel (D-NY), to support the people of Central America and strengthen United States national security by addressing the root causes of migration from El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras.
  • H.R. 2744, USAID Branding Modernization Act, introduced by Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX), to authorize the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development to prescribe the manner in which programs of the agency are identified overseas.
  • H.R. 598, Georgia Support Act, introduced by Rep. George Connelly (D-VA), to support the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Georgia.
  • H.R. 2140, Preventing Child Marriage Act, introduced by Rep. Ann Wagner (R-MO), to prevent child marriage in United Nations-administered refugee settlements.
  • H.R. 2023, Protect European Energy Security Act, introduced by Rep. Denny Heck (D-WA), to require reports by the Secretary of State and the Director of National Intelligence relating to construction of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline. 
  • H.R. 2046, Energy Diplomacy Act, introduced by Rep. Ron Wright (R-TX), to amend the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 regarding energy diplomacy and security within the Department of State. 
  • H.Res. 129, Condemning the Government of Saudi Arabia’s continued detention and alleged abuse of women’s rights activists, introduced by Rep. Lois Frankel (D-FL).
  • H.Res. 372, Expressing concern for the United States-Turkey alliance, introduced by Rep. Eliot Engel (D-NY).
  • H.Res. 345, Recognizing widening threats to freedoms of the press and expression around the world, reaffirming the centrality of a free and independent press to the health of democracy, and reaffirming freedom of the press as a priority of the United States, introduced by Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA).

 

To watch Lead Republican McCaul’s opening remarks from today’s markup, click here. 

To watch coverage of today’s full committee markup, click here. 

 

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