REP. ENGEL TO BECOME HOUSE FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE RANKING MEMBER

    Congressman Eliot Engel issued the following statement after the House Democratic Caucus voted by acclamation to make him the Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee for the 113th Congress.  He has been the top Democrat on the Western Hemisphere Subcommittee since January 2007.

 “I feel honored and privileged to receive the backing of my colleagues, and I am excited to embark on this new challenge.  I look forward to working with members of the committee – from both sides of the aisle – as we address the many international issues facing our country today.  For the last several years, Congressman Howard Berman has been an outstanding leader on the Committee, and I hope to carry on in his tradition.  His vast knowledge of foreign affairs will be missed in Congress, and I will seek his council whenever it is needed. 

 “I plan to provide a steady, consensus-driven style of leadership reflective of all voices in our party, and to work in a bipartisan manner whenever possible. The Democratic Party can be proud of the leaders it has chosen to lead our committees, and I will be working closely with my Democratic colleagues to forge a strong consensus. 

 “Our committee needs to be focused on promoting American values and interests around the world, and I look forward to working with Chairman Ed Royce in the coming year to achieve those goals.  I am positive we can find many ways to work together in a bipartisan manner.

“I want to thank my colleagues for their trust and belief in my leadership, and I look forward to getting to work as soon as possible.”

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COMMITTEE JURISDICTION

The Full Committee is responsible for oversight and legislation relating to:

• foreign assistance (including development assistance, Millennium Challenge Corporation, the Millennium Challenge Account, HIV/AIDS in foreign countries, security assistance, and Public Law 480 programs abroad);
• the Peace Corps;
• national security developments affecting foreign policy;
• strategic planning and agreements;
• war powers, treaties, executive agreements, and the deployment and use of United States Armed Forces;
• peacekeeping, peace enforcement, and enforcement of United Nations or other international sanctions;
• arms control and disarmament issues;
• the United States Agency for International Development;
• activities and policies of the State, Commerce and Defense Departments and other agencies related to the Arms Export Control Act, and the Foreign Assistance Act including export and licensing policy for munitions items and technology and dual-use equipment and technology;
• international law;
• promotion of democracy;
• international law enforcement issues, including narcotics control programs and activities;
• Broadcasting Board of Governors;
• embassy security;
• international broadcasting;
• public diplomacy, including international communication, information policy, international education, and cultural programs;
• and all other matters not specifically assigned to a subcommittee.

The Committee has jurisdiction over legislation with respect to the administration of the Export Administration Act, including the export and licensing of dual-use equipment and technology and other matters related to international economic policy and trade not otherwise assigned to a subcommittee and with respect to the United Nations, its affiliated agencies and other international organizations, including assessed and voluntary contributions to such organizations. The Committee may conduct oversight with respect to any matter within the jurisdiction of the Committee as defined in the Rules of the House of Representatives.

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