House Committee on International Relations -- http://wwwa.house.gov/international_relations
Welcome to PMC!
This background paper should serve as the starting point for your individual research of a specific policy topic. Here you will find information on your committee's jurisdiction, subcommittees, and current hot topics. However, do not stop here - keep your eye on news events, check out government websites, search the internet for interesting topics that fall within this committee's scope, and above all -- think about important and relevant legislative issues that matter to you. We look forward to reading your bill and to hearing a thoughtful debate on its merits at the conference. Please remember to research the facts that drive your bill in order to solidify your arguments. Use the links on the Delegate Start Page to help you in this endeavor. After your bill is submitted, review some of the other topics your committee is currently tackling in order to form opinions on issues engaged by the bills of your fellow delegates.
We look forward to seeing you this year at the conference and good luck!
House Committee on International Relations
JURISDICTION:
The House Committee on International Relations and its counterpart in the Senate, the Committee on Foreign Affairs, are devoted to the consideration of issues involving the role of the United States in the world. The most important legislative topics that fall under the jurisdiction of the Congressional Committees on international relations are the many foreign aid programs providing economic assistance to poor and developing countries, as well as military equipment and training for U.S. allies around the world.
(1) Relations of the United States with foreign nations
generally.
(2) Acquisition of land and buildings for embassies and legations
in foreign countries.
(3) Establishment of boundary lines between the United States and
foreign nations.
(4) Export controls, including nonproliferation of nuclear
technology and nuclear hardware.
(5) Foreign loans.
(6) International commodity agreements (other than those involving
sugar), including all agreements for cooperation in the export of nuclear
technology and nuclear hardware.
(7) International conferences and
congresses.
(8) International education.
(9) Intervention abroad and declarations of
war.
(10) Diplomatic service.
(11) Measures to foster commercial intercourse with foreign
nations and to safeguard American business abroad.
(12) International economic policy.
(13) Neutrality.
(14) Protection of American citizens abroad and
expatriation.
(15) The American National Red Cross.
(16) Trading with the enemy.
(17) United Nations organizations.
This committee also holds jurisdiction on oversight and
legislative responsibilities over the United States’ efforts to manage and
coordinate international programs to combat terrorism as coordinated by the
Department of State and other agencies, including diplomatic, economic, and
military assistance programs in areas designed to prevent terrorism, and efforts
intended to identify, arrest, and bring international terrorists to justice.
Oversight of, and (to the degree applicable to matters outside the Foreign
Assistance Act, the Arms Export Control Act, the Export Administration Act,
sanctions laws pertaining to individual countries and the provision of foreign
assistance) legislation pertaining to: nonproliferation including matters
relating to arms transfer policy; export control policy including the transfer
of dual use equipment and technology; matters involving nuclear, chemical,
biological and other weapons of mass destruction; legislation aimed at the
promotion of sanctions and other nonproliferation matters generally. Oversight
of, and (to the degree applicable to matters outside the Foreign Assistance Act,
the Arms Export Control Act, the Export Administration Act, and the provision of
foreign assistance) legislation pertaining to, implementation of the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights, and other matters relating to internationally-
recognized human rights, including sanctions legislation aimed at the promotion
of human rights and democracy generally.
In addition, this committee has jurisdiction over the following
with regards to US foreign relations within the following regions: Europe, the
Middle East, Central Asia, the Western Hemisphere, and Asia and the
Pacific.
(1) Matters affecting the political relations between the United
States and other countries and regions, including resolutions or other
legislative measures directed to such relations.
(2) Legislation with respect to disaster assistance outside the
Foreign Assistance Act, boundary issues, and international claims.
(3) Legislation with respect to region- or country-specific loans
or other financial relations outside the Foreign Assistance Act.
(4) Resolutions of disapproval under section 36(b) of the Arms
Export Control Act, with respect to foreign military sales.
(5) Legislation and oversight regarding human rights practices in
particular countries.
(6) Oversight of regional lending institutions.
(7) Oversight of matters related to the regional activities of the
United Nations, of its affiliated agencies, and of other multilateral
institutions.
(8) Identification and development of options for meeting future
problems and issues relating to U.S. interests in the region.
(9) Base rights and other facilities access agreements and
regional security pacts.
(10) Oversight of matters relating to parliamentary conferences
and exchanges involving the region.
(11) Concurrent oversight jurisdiction with respect to matters
assigned to the functional subcommittees insofar as they may affect the region.
(12) Oversight of all foreign assistance activities affecting the
region.
(13) Such other matters as the Chairman of the full Committee may
determine.
SUBCOMMITTEES:
Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific
Subcommittee on Europe
Subcommittee on International Terrorism, Nonproliferation and
Human Rights
Subcommittee on the Middle East and Central
Asia
Subcommittee on Africa
Subcommittee on the Western
Hemisphere
CURRENT TOPICS OF
LEGISLATION:
U.S. Interests in South Asia
U.S. Policy toward Southeast Asia
U.S. Commercial and Trade Policy toward Asia and the Pacific
North Korea's Nuclear Program: the Challenge to Stability in
Northeast Asia
Developments in the Balkans: Status and Assessment of Peacekeeping
and Nation-Building Efforts
Post War Iraq-Reconstruction and
Governance
U.S. Policy Toward the Iranian Regime-Assessing the Security
Threat and Prospects for Democrary
U.S. Policy Toward Syria and the Role of the Syrian Accountability
Act
Critical Issues in Middle East Peace
Negotiations
Agricultural Development in Africa
MEMBERS:
Henry J. Hyde, Chairman, Illinois
James A. Leach, Iowa
Tom Lantos, California
Doug Bereuter, Nebraska
Howard L. Berman, California
Christopher H. Smith, Vice Chairman, New
Jersey
Gary L. Ackerman, New York
Dan Burton, Indiana
Eni F. H. Faleomavaega, American Samoa
Elton Gallegly, California
Donald M. Payne, New Jersey
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Florida
Robert Menendez, New Jersey
Cass Ballenger, North Carolina
Sherrod Brown, Ohio
Dana Rohrabacher, California
Brad Sherman, California
Edward R. Royce, California
Robert Wexler, Florida
Peter T. King, New York
Eliot L. Engel, New York
Steve Chabot, Ohio
William D. Delahunt, Massachusetts
Amo Houghton, New York
Gregory W. Meeks, New York
John M. McHugh, New York
Barbara Lee, California
Thomas G. Tancredo, Colorado
Joseph Crowley, New York
Ron Paul, Texas
Joseph M. Hoeffel, Pennsylvania
Nick Smith, Michigan
Earl Blumenauer, Oregon
Joseph R. Pitts, Pennsylvania
Shelley Berkley, Nevada
Jeff Flake, Arizona
Grace F. Napolitano, California
Jo Ann Davis, Virginia
Adam B. Schiff, California
Mark Green, Wisconsin
Diane E. Watson, California
Jerry Weller, Illinois
Adam Smith, Washington
Mike Pence, Indiana
Betty McCollum, Minnesota
Thaddeus G. McCotter, Michigan
Chris Bell, Texas
William J. Janklow. South Dakota
Katherine Harris, Florida