[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
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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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