    [House Hearing, 115 Congress]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]

       RECOGNIZING THAT FOR 50 YEARS THE ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH EAST ASIAN
     NATIONS (ASEAN) HAS WORKED TOWARD STABILITY, PROSPERITY, AND PEACE IN
         SOUTHEAST ASIA; TAIWAN TRAVEL ACT; NORTH KOREAN HUMAN RIGHTS
     REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2017; AND DISTRIBUTION AND PROMOTION OF RIGHTS
                           AND KNOWLEDGE ACT OF 2017

    =======================================================================

                                     MARKUP

                                   BEFORE THE

                      SUBCOMMITTEE ON ASIA AND THE PACIFIC

                                     OF THE

                          COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS
                            HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                         ONE HUNDRED FIFTEENTH CONGRESS

                                 FIRST SESSION

                                       ON

                 H. Res. 311, H.R. 535, H.R. 2061 and H.R. 2397

                                   __________

                                 JUNE 15, 2017

                                   __________

                               Serial No. 115-42

                                   __________

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                          COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS

                     EDWARD R. ROYCE, California, Chairman
    CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH, New Jersey     ELIOT L. ENGEL, New York
    ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN, Florida         BRAD SHERMAN, California
    DANA ROHRABACHER, California         GREGORY W. MEEKS, New York
    STEVE CHABOT, Ohio                   ALBIO SIRES, New Jersey
    JOE WILSON, South Carolina           GERALD E. CONNOLLY, Virginia
    MICHAEL T. McCAUL, Texas             THEODORE E. DEUTCH, Florida
    TED POE, Texas                       KAREN BASS, California
    DARRELL E. ISSA, California          WILLIAM R. KEATING, Massachusetts
    TOM MARINO, Pennsylvania             DAVID N. CICILLINE, Rhode Island
    JEFF DUNCAN, South Carolina          AMI BERA, California
    MO BROOKS, Alabama                   LOIS FRANKEL, Florida
    PAUL COOK, California                TULSI GABBARD, Hawaii
    SCOTT PERRY, Pennsylvania            JOAQUIN CASTRO, Texas
    RON DeSANTIS, Florida                ROBIN L. KELLY, Illinois
    MARK MEADOWS, North Carolina         BRENDAN F. BOYLE, Pennsylvania
    TED S. YOHO, Florida                 DINA TITUS, Nevada
    ADAM KINZINGER, Illinois             NORMA J. TORRES, California
    LEE M. ZELDIN, New York              BRADLEY SCOTT SCHNEIDER, Illinois
    DANIEL M. DONOVAN, Jr., New York     THOMAS R. SUOZZI, New York
    F. JAMES SENSENBRENNER, Jr.,         ADRIANO ESPAILLAT, New York
        Wisconsin                        TED LIEU, California
    ANN WAGNER, Missouri
    BRIAN J. MAST, Florida
    FRANCIS ROONEY, Florida
    BRIAN K. FITZPATRICK, Pennsylvania
    THOMAS A. GARRETT, Jr., Virginia

         Amy Porter, Chief of Staff      Thomas Sheehy, Staff Director

                   Jason Steinbaum, Democratic Staff Director
                                     ------

                      Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific

                         TED S. YOHO, Florida, Chairman
    DANA ROHRABACHER, California         BRAD SHERMAN, California
    STEVE CHABOT, Ohio                   AMI BERA, California
    TOM MARINO, Pennsylvania             DINA TITUS, Nevada
    MO BROOKS, Alabama                   GERALD E. CONNOLLY, Virginia
    SCOTT PERRY, Pennsylvania            THEODORE E. DEUTCH, Florida
    ADAM KINZINGER, Illinois             TULSI GABBARD, Hawaii
    ANN WAGNER, Missouri

                                C O N T E N T S

                                  ----------
                                                                       Page

                                   MARKUP ON

    H. Res. 311, Recognizing that for 50 years the Association of
      South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) has worked toward stability,
      prosperity, and peace in Southeast Asia........................     2
      Amendment in the nature of a substitute to H. Res. 311 offered
        by the Honorable Ted S. Yoho, a Representative in Congress
        from the State of Florida, and chairman, Subcommittee on Asia
        and the Pacific..............................................    15
    H.R. 535, To encourage visits between the United States and
      Taiwan at all levels, and for other purposes...................    20
    H.R. 2061, To reauthorize the North Korean Human Rights Act of
      2004, and for other purposes...................................    24
      Amendment to H.R. 2061 offered by the Honorable Ted S. Yoho....    31
      Amendment to H.R. 2061 offered by the Honorable Gerald E.
        Connolly, a Representative in Congress from the Commonwealth
        of Virginia..................................................    32
    H.R. 2397, To amend the North Korean Human Rights Act of 2004 to
      authorize further actions to promote freedom of information and
      democracy in North Korea, and for other purposes...............    34

                                    APPENDIX

    Markup notice....................................................    44
    Markup minutes...................................................    45
    Markup summary...................................................    46

         RECOGNIZING THAT FOR 50 YEARS THE ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH EAST ASIAN
     NATIONS (ASEAN) HAS WORKED TOWARD STABILITY, PROSPERITY, AND PEACE IN
         SOUTHEAST ASIA; TAIWAN TRAVEL ACT; NORTH KOREAN HUMAN RIGHTS
     REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2017; AND DISTRIBUTION AND PROMOTION OF RIGHTS
                           AND KNOWLEDGE ACT OF 2017

                                  ----------

                            THURSDAY, JUNE 15, 2017

                           House of Representatives,

                     Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific,

                         Committee on Foreign Affairs,

                                Washington, DC.

        The subcommittee met, pursuant to notice, at 2:30 p.m., in
    room 2200 Rayburn House Office Building, Hon. Ted Yoho
    (chairman of the subcommittee) presiding.
        Mr. Yoho. The subcommittee will come to order.
        Good afternoon. We have called this markup to order today
    to consider four important measures that touch on pressing
    challenges that the United States faces in the Asia-Pacific
    region. After the conclusion of this brief business meeting, we
    will proceed immediately to our scheduled hearing on U.S.-
    Taiwan ties.
        Pursuant to notice, we have four bipartisan measures on our
    agenda this afternoon. As members were notified yesterday, it
    is the intention of the Chair to consider today's business en
    bloc so that we can proceed promptly to our hearing. All
    members may have 5 days to insert remarks into the record and,
    without objection, the following measures and amendments will
    be considered en bloc: House Resolution 311, reaffirming 40
    years of relations between the United States and the
    Association of the Southeast Asian Nations; Yoho Amendment 37
    in the Nature of a Substitute to H. Resolution 311; H.R. 535,
    the Taiwan Travel Act; H.R. 2061, the North Korean Human Rights
    Reauthorization Act of 2017; Yoho Amendment 38 to H.R. 2061;
    and H.R. 2397, the Distribution and Promotion of Rights and
    Knowledge of DPRK Act of 2017.
        Before turning to our ranking member, I recognize myself to
    speak on--and the Connolly Amendment--excuse me--Amendment 26
    to H.R. 2061. And thank you.
        [The information referred to follows:]

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        Mr. Yoho. First, we have House Resolution 311, which
    recognizes 40 years of the U.S.-ASEAN ties and reaffirms the
    economic security interests we share with this dynamic group of
    countries.
        I want to thank Representatives Wagner and Castro, who
    chair the recently revived ASEAN Caucus. We are offering this
    measure for focusing on an area that is sometimes overlooked
    but very much deserving of our attention. The 10 nations of
    ASEAN have tremendous potential for growth and share our
    interests in a secure bipolar Asia. So, reaffirming our
    relations is an important undertaking.
        We will also consider the Taiwan Travel Act authored by Mr.
    Chabot, the chairman emeritus of the subcommittee. Chairman
    Chabot's bill will strengthen U.S.-Taiwan relations by
    codifying a policy of greater freedom of movement for the
    Republic of China officials in the United States and will also
    facilitate more high-level interactions between our
    governments.
        In the face of China's intensifying efforts to restrict
    Taiwan's international space, strengthening our relationships
    with Taiwan is especially important. So I thank Chairman Chabot
    for introducing this measure.
        Next, we consider Chairman Ros-Lehtinen's reauthorization
    of the North Korea Human Rights Act, as the 2014 U.N.
    Commission of Inquiry of North Korea found the gravity, scale,
    and nature of human rights abuses reveals a state that does not
    have any parallel in the contemporary world. Indeed, the Kim
    regime is the world's worst human rights abuser and North Korea
    Human Rights Act is a fundamental part of congressional
    leadership to end these abuses.
        I have offered a technical amendment to this legislation to
    unify some of its authorization with legislation the committee
    has passed since the Human Rights Act was last reauthorized and
    look forward to sending this bill to the full committee.
        Finally, we consider the Distribution and Promotion of
    Rights and Knowledge Act of 2017. This bill will promote the
    freedom of information and democracy in North Korea and I would
    like to thank the ranking member, Mr. Sherman, as well as
    Chairman Royce, and Ranking Member Engel of the full committee
    for joining us as original cosponsors on this legislation.
        This bill will expand the authority of the President and
    the Broadcasting Board of Governors to transmit and distribute
    information inside North Korea, one of the surest ways to
    weaken the Kim regime's grip on power, to promote freedom and
    liberties.
        My sincere thanks to my colleagues for joining us today to
    move these important measures further along in the legislative
    process.
        I now recognize our ranking member, Mr. Sherman, for any
    remarks he may have.
        Mr. Sherman. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
        We have four excellent bills. We should pass them. I
    understand we will pass then en bloc and before we do that, we
    should adopt the, I believe, en bloc amendment to H.R. 2061,
    which includes the amendment from Mr. Connolly.
        With that, unless someone wants me to yield time, I yield
    back.
        Mr. Yoho. Members seeking recognition will be recognized
    for brief remarks.
        Mr. Chabot.
        Mr. Chabot. Thank you.
        I want to thank the chairman for bringing this legislation
    before the subcommittee today. I rise in support of H.R. 535,
    the Taiwan Travel Act, a bill that I, along with my colleague
    and friend from California, Mr. Sherman, introduced earlier
    this year.
        As a founding member of the Congressional Taiwan Caucus, I
    take the commitments of our country with Taiwan very seriously.
    Yesterday, I expressed my concerns to the Secretary of State,
    Tillerson, regarding our own self-imposed restrictions that
    prohibit high-ranking United States officials from meeting with
    their Taiwanese counterparts and, worse, bars Taiwanese
    officials from setting foot in our Nation's capital, in this
    city right here. It is ridiculous. This is a center of
    democracy and freedom. Taiwanese officials should be able to
    come and meet with American officials here in Washington, DC.
        This policy goes against our own self-interest. It tells
    China that we are willing to yield to them on our own foreign
    policy. It conveys weakness, I believe, to Beijing. Not only
    does restricting visits by high-level Taiwanese decision-makers
    tie our leaders' hands and insult an ally, it makes it nearly
    impossible to conduct diplomacy in an increasingly critical
    region.
        The United States should have direct dialogue with the
    democratically-elected leadership of Taiwan and it is time to
    change this outdated policy. The Taiwan Travel Act will do
    this.
        China continues to take aggressive actions that further its
    long-running campaign to isolate Taiwan. The United States has
    a legal and moral commitment to defend Taiwan sovereignty in
    the face of these attacks. Restricting high-level visits from
    Taiwan insults and ally and damages our national security in an
    increasingly dangerous world.
        The United States should encourage direct dialogue with the
    democratically-elected leadership of our ally, Taiwan. It is
    time to change our policy. I encourage my colleagues to support
    this measure.
        I once again want to thank Mr. Sherman for his leadership
    on this issue as well, making it a bipartisan measure. And I
    yield back.
        Mr. Yoho. Thank you, Mr. Chabot.
        Next we will go to Ms. Gabbard. Did you have a comment?
        Mrs. Wagner.
        Mrs. Wagner. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
        I would like to express my support for all of today's
    initiatives, including the Taiwan Travel Act, which I believe
    can be, frankly, the cornerstone for a more what I will call a
    mature relationship with Taiwan that recognizes Taiwan's
    tremendous contributions to both democracy and to stability in
    the Asia Pacific.
        I would also like to speak specifically in support of House
    Resolution 311, the resolution I was honored to introduce with
    my colleague, Representative Castro, in commemoration of
    ASEAN's 50th anniversary and the 40th anniversary of U.S.-ASEAN
    relations.
        Southeast Asia has tremendous cultural, political,
    historical, and religious diversity. ASEAN was formed, in part,
    to create a bulwark against communism in the Southeast Asia
    among these diverse nations. And today, ASEAN's goals have
    evolved and the region is experiencing tremendous growth,
    nearly $100 billion in U.S. goods and services are exported to
    ASEAN, rivaling our $113 billion market in China.
        In January, I founded the bipartisan Congressional Caucus
    on ASEAN with my colleague, Congressman Castro. The Caucus
    acknowledges America's special relationship with ASEAN and
    defines ways that Congress can strengthen security, economic,
    technical, and humanitarian engagement in Southeast Asia.
        House Resolution 311 was one of our first initiatives and I
    am grateful that the chair and the ranking member are strong
    supporters of this effort. The resolution supports and affirms
    the elevation of the United States-ASEAN relationship to a
    strategic partnership and reaffirms a U.S. commitment to
    promoting a rules-based order in the Asia Pacific and economic
    growth, peace, human rights, and stability in Southeast Asia.
        With that, Mr. Chairman, I yield back. Thank you.
        Mr. Yoho. Thank you, Mrs. Wagner for those great remarks.
        Hearing no further request for recognition, the question
    occurs on the items considered en bloc.
        All those in favor, say aye.
        Mr. Sherman. Mr. Chairman, we amended H.R. 2061 with the
    two en bloc amendments as part of this?
        Mr. Yoho. Yes, sir.
        Mr. Sherman. Okay, so it includes both adopting the en bloc
    amendment to 2061 and your motion also passes.
        Mr. Yoho. Yes, sir, and I thank you for pointing that out.
        Mr. Sherman. That makes it an outstanding motion, Mr.
    Chairman.
        Oh, we may have one more.
        [Simultaneous speaking.]
        Mr. Yoho. We have the honor of being joined by Ms. Ros-
    Lehtinen. Do you have a comment that you would like to----
        Mr. Sherman. And I do want to remark I am thrilled that the
    left wing of this table has become so popular.
        Mrs. Wagner. Solidarity! Solidarity!
        Mr. Sherman. We are just moderating that side.
        Ms. Ros-Lehtinen. Now that FOX has let go of its fair and
    balanced slogan.
        Thank you, Dr. Yoho, and thank you, Ranking Member Sherman.
    We have our own subcommittee hearing on Russia and the Middle
    East downstairs, so I am a little out of breath. But thank you
    for working with our office to bring the North Korea Human
    Right Reauthorization Act of 2017 to markup today.
        I was proud to author and lead the reauthorization of this
    important law in both 2008 and 2012, and I am proud to do so
    again with the measure before you today, H.R. 2061.
        Since 2004, the Human Rights Act of North Korea has
    provided us in the United States with a number of essential
    tools, designed to promote North Korean human rights. H.R. 2061
    ensures that those tools will continue to be available,
    including authorizing grants that promote human rights,
    democracy and the rule of law; authorizing actions aimed at
    promoting the freedom of information, including increasing the
    availability of information sources not controlled by the Kim
    regime; authorizing humanitarian assistance to North Korean
    refugees, defectors, migrants, and orphans, as well as women
    who are victims of trafficking. It also ensures that the
    Special Envoy for North Korea Human Rights Issues; once someone
    is re-appointed, as is required by the original law, continues
    reporting to Congress on how he or she is fulfilling their
    responsibilities.
        Every day under the Kim regime, North Koreans are suffering
    unimaginable horrors. They live under constant fear of arrest,
    of disappearance, of execution. They are exploited. They are
    trafficked, while dissidents are starved and tortured. Rule of
    law, justice, and freedom of expression simply do not exist.
        With this bill, we ensure that our efforts in the United
    States to promote North Korean human rights continue, that
    desperately needed information is getting to those inside, and
    that refugees fleeing the regime are receiving protection.
        Before I go, I would like to express my support for
    Chairman Yoho's Distribution and Promotion of Rights and
    Knowledge Act, which makes some very valuable additions to the
    North Korea Human Rights Act, including promoting additional
    methods of electronic communication and authorizing the
    broadcast of popular culture, as well as knowledge about the
    rights, the laws, the freedoms which North Koreans should be
    afforded.
        The Kim regime cannot be allowed to maintain its monopoly
    on information and we must continue to explore every possible
    avenue in order to allow North Koreans to get the information
    they need.
        I thank the chair. I thank the ranking member and all the
    members for allowing me to join you today. And I yield back.
    Thank you, sir.
        Mr. Yoho. Thank you, Ms. Ros-Lehtinen. Everybody wants to
    know why you stay so fit and it is because you run from one
    committee hearing to the next.
        Ms. Ros-Lehtinen. From one meal to the next.
        Voice. And I am coming to the next, too.
        Mr. Yoho. Hearing no further requests for recognition, the
    question occurs on the items considered en bloc, along with the
    approval of the amendments.
        All those in favor say aye.
        Opposed?
        In the opinion of the Chair, the ayes have it and the
    measures considered en bloc are agreed to. Without objection,
    the measures considered en bloc are ordered favorably reported
    to the full committee, as amended, and staff is directed to
    make any technical and conforming changes.
        That concludes our markup.
        [Whereupon, at 2:48 p.m., the subcommittee was adjourned.]

                                A P P E N D I X

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