[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 204 (Tuesday, January 3, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1365-E1367]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HOUSE FOREIGN AFFAIRS SUBCOMMITTEE ON EUROPE, ENERGY, THE ENVIRONMENT 
                  AND CYBER SUMMARY OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. WILLIAM R. KEATING

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, January 3, 2023

  Mr. KEATING. Madam Speaker, as Chair of the House Foreign Affairs 
Subcommittee on Europe, Energy, the Environment, and Cyber in the 117th 
Congress and Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Europe, 
Eurasia, Energy, and the Environment in the 116th Congress, I have led 
the Subcommittee during one of the most pivotal times in terms of the 
Europe's importance to global peace and stability. As such, I am proud 
that from the very beginning I have been dedicated to strengthening the 
resolute relationship between the United States and Europe. Together 
our transatlantic alliance has the greatest combined economic power 
coupled with a security alliance greater than any other in history. As 
we face heightened threats from Russia and China, I believe the 
strength and effectiveness of our coalition is more important than 
ever. As such, I have focused on transatlantic efforts to combat 
challenges facing our liberal, democratic world, underscored the need 
for greater efforts to respond to climate change, and worked to ensure 
transatlantic unity in the face of Russia's unprecedented and illegal 
full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This final Summary of Accomplishments 
will provide a brief overview of the work that this Subcommittee has 
undertaken in the 116th and 117th Congress.
  In response to Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine, the Subcommittee 
has taken a direct role in shining a light on the horrors the Russian 
government is committing in Ukraine and ensuring that all perpetrators, 
regardless of level or rank, are held accountable. As such, the 
Subcommittee has held three hearings on Russia's full-scale invasion of 
Ukraine; bringing expert witnesses to provide firsthand accounts of 
atrocity crimes committed by Russian soldiers in Ukraine as well as the 
efforts by national and international bodies to prosecute individuals 
for said atrocity crimes. Based on this expert testimony, including 
testimony provided by the Prosecutor General of Ukraine Andriy Kostin, 
Ranking Member Fitzpatrick and I, along with 40 bipartisan members of 
Congress, introduced H.R. 8532, the Atrocity Crimes, Relief, and 
Accountability Act, to ensure Ukrainian refugees in America are able to 
tell their stories to international investigators, further U.S. support 
for international efforts towards justice, and establish a victims' 
trust fund to assist individuals and families affected by Russia's war 
of choice. Furthermore, along with 20 bipartisan Members of Congress, I 
introduced and co-sponsored a resolution calling on the President to 
support the creation of a Special Tribunal for the punishment of the 
crime of aggression against Ukraine. Overall, the Subcommittee has 
worked diligently in support of the Ukrainian people's fight for 
freedom and independence, and I am confident our efforts will have a 
lasting impact.
  In addition, the Subcommittee has endeavored to better understand the 
Russia of today and the ways in which the U.S. government can more 
effectively counter Russian malign aggression. To that end, the 
Subcommittee held a hearing in 2021 with author and professor Masha 
Gessen, Bellingcat CEO Christo Grozev, Dr. Yuval Weber, and Mr. Edward 
Lucas to discuss Russia's ongoing influence operations around the world 
and how dissidents continue to push back against Kremlin

[[Page E1366]]

malfeasance. Furthermore, the Subcommittee held a joint hearing with 
Chairwoman Karen Bass and the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on 
Africa, Global Health, and Global Human Rights to discuss Russian 
malign influence in Africa. In the lead up to Russia's full-scale 
invasion of Ukraine, the Subcommittee organized two classified 
briefings to ensure Members of Congress were aware of Russia's buildup 
of troops on the Ukrainian border as well as in Belarus and adequately 
briefed on our government's assessments of the Kremlin's true 
intentions in Ukraine. Finally, the Subcommittee held a hearing in 
November 2022 with Secretary Ernest Moniz, Ms. Heather Conley, Mr. Jim 
Townsend, Mr. Daleep Singh and Ms. Rebeccah Heinrichs to discuss 
Russia's changing role on the global stage following their full-scale 
invasion of Ukraine. Throughout the past four years, it has been clear 
that Russia has been and will continue to present a dangerous threat to 
the liberal, democratic order, and the U.S. government must continue to 
do everything in its power with a whole-of-government approach to 
counter the threat that Russia poses globally.
  In addition, the Subcommittee has deepened and strengthened the 
transatlantic alliance. Over the past four years and in the lead-up to 
the 70th anniversary of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), 
the Subcommittee held four hearings on the importance of the 
transatlantic alliance and the future of NATO, In fact, two of the 
first hearings this Subcommittee held in the 116th Congress focused on 
``The Historic American Alliance with Europe'' and The Future of NATO: 
New Challenges and Opportunities.'' Further, as Chair I have 
continuously engaged with transatlantic partners both here in 
Washington and abroad to exchange best practices, establish new 
partnerships, and redouble our efforts to achieve shared goals. 
Finally, when our allies in Sweden and Finland voiced their desire to 
join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, I was proud to introduce 
and pass a House resolution welcoming them, as interoperable security 
partners into our historic alliance. The transatlantic alliance has and 
will continue to represent our greatest alliance in our fight to 
protect our democracy and values, and I am proud of the Subcommittee's 
focus on our enduring relationship.
  Moreover, as Chair, I have taken a special interest in furthering 
policies and initiatives that are crucial to U.S. interests and leading 
policy discussions on some key issues facing Europe today. For example, 
on the issues of European integration, I have continued to advocate for 
the accession of North Macedonia and Albania into the European Union. 
The Balkans, as a region squarely belonging in the European community, 
should continue to receive U.S. and European support as developing 
democracies. North Macedonia and Albania, in particular, have made 
great strides in terms of democratic development. As such, I encouraged 
Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Western Balkans and the Office of 
Public Diplomacy Gabriel Escobar to prioritize support for this matter 
with our allies in the European Union, and I sent a letter to key 
players involved in the accession decisions expressing my support for 
North Macedonia and Albania's accession. At the same time, I have also 
long foreseen the dangers of European energy dependence on Russian 
sources and have worked to support initiatives that would foster energy 
independence in Europe. For example, I have worked with my colleague, 
Representative Marcy Kaptur, a Member of the Appropriations Committee, 
to encourage the Biden administration to provide robust funding for the 
Three Seas Initiative, a critical effort led by our Central and Eastern 
European allies to correct infrastructure patterns left from the Soviet 
Union, encourage interconnectivity throughout the region, and counter 
Russian malign influence through energy. In addition, in June 2022, I 
held a hearing with Biden administration officials to better understand 
U.S. efforts to support European Energy Security as well as the ways in 
which Congress can continue to assist our Ukrainian partners as Russia 
bombards their electricity grid causing massive blackouts during 
Russia's brutal invasion. These are just two examples of the thematic 
issues the Subcommittee took on with regard to our transatlantic 
alliance, and I am proud of our efforts.
  On the issue of the environment, this Subcommittee has taken an 
active role in the fight against climate, having held six hearings in 
the 116th and 117th Congress on issues related to climate change and 
global warming. For example, in the lead-up to the 26th United Nations 
Climate Change Conference in 2021, the Subcommittee heard expert 
testimony from Patricia Espinosa, then-Executive Secretary of the 
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, Frans Timmerman, 
Executive Vice President for the European Green Deal at the European 
Commission, and Ms. Rachel Kyte CMG, Dean of the Fletcher School at 
Tufts University and former Special Representative of the U.N. 
Secretary General. In addition, the Subcommittee held hearings on 
issues related to Arctic security--inviting experts on the changing 
political, security, and environmental aspects of the region--as well 
as the growing relationship between the U.S. and our transatlantic 
alliance in an effort to build stronger and more robust wind energy 
infrastructure in the United States. Finally, as Chair, I introduced a 
bill establishing specific diplomatic posts for climate change attaches 
at major diplomatic hubs. I am proud that the Biden administration has 
moved forward with this plan, establishing ten such positions this 
year, with ten more positions established in the coming year.
  In the face of democratic backsliding and the rise of 
authoritarianism abroad, the defense of democracy, human rights, the 
rule of law, and a free press are essential for preserving our liberty 
and values. To that end, I have made it a major focus of the 
Subcommittee to support democratic resiliency efforts and shine a light 
on concerning issues related to democratic backsliding in the region. 
As such, the Subcommittee held a landmark hearing with the founding 
Mayors of the Pact of Free Cities partnership from Budapest, Hungary; 
Prague, Czech Republic; Bratislava, Slovakia; and Warsaw, Poland. 
During this hearing, we heard powerful testimony and highlighted the 
importance of local leaders from across the political spectrum to 
protect democratic values. In addition, the Subcommittee also held a 
briefing on the erosion of democracy and the rule of law in Hungary. 
During this briefing, expert witnesses such as Professor Kim Lane 
Scheppele, Mr. Daniel Hegedus, and Ms. Marta Pardavi provided a 
detailed analysis of the path the Orban regime has taken in slowing 
chipping away democratic principles as well as protection for minority 
groups, such as the LGBTQI+ community and the Roma. To that end, I am 
proud that the Subcommittee also held the first-ever House Foreign 
Affairs Committee hearing on protecting LGBTQI+ rights. During this 
hearing, the Subcommittee heard testimony from human rights defenders 
from Russia, Hungary, Ukraine, and Brussels on efforts to protect the 
rights of the LGBTQI+ community in Europe. Further, in January of 2020, 
I held a hearing on the issue of Rising Anti-Semitism and Xenophobia in 
Europe, where I invited expert witnesses to provide expert testimony, 
including Dr. Alfred Munzer, Holocaust Survivor, Volunteer, United 
States Holocaust Memorial Museum and Dr. Deborah E. Lipstadt, Dorot 
Professor of Modern Jewish History and Holocaust Studies, Tam Institute 
for Jewish Studies and the Department of Religion, Emory University, 
and current. Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism. Finally, 
on International Women's Day in 2021, the Subcommittee held a briefing 
with female journalists from the post-Soviet space who are fighting 
every day for fair treatment against undemocratic and often 
authoritarian regimes. These women highlighted the very real 
opportunities and challenges facing female journalists in the post-
Soviet space.
  Following fraudulent elections in Belarus in 2020, the Subcommittee 
followed closely as a renewed Belarusian opposition movement emerged, 
led by female leaders, as an alternative to the authoritarian rule of 
Aleksandr Lukashenka. To support the opposition movement in Belarus, 
the Subcommittee held its first hearing of the 117th Congress in March 
2021 and invited Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya to provide testimony. 
Further, as Chair of the Subcommittee, I, along with a bipartisan group 
of Members, established the Friends of Belarus Caucus to continue to 
support democracy in Belarus. In addition, I introduced H. Res.124, a 
House resolution supporting the people of Belarus, which passed the 
House of Representatives in April 2021. Finally, working together with 
my colleague Representative Marcy Kaptur of the House Appropriations 
Committee, I worked to increase funding for democratic development in 
Belarus to $30 million dollars in FY22. Bipartisan Members of the 
Subcommittee will continue to support the democratic movement in 
Belarus, and I will continue to advocate for continued support for 
civil society in Belarus.
  Further, the Subcommittee has taken a vocal stance in support of the 
Good Friday Agreement and the ongoing peace process in Northern 
Ireland. As we approach the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday 
Agreement in April 2023, I look forward to continuing to work on this 
issue with Members from across the aisle and representatives from 
across the Atlantic. As Chair, I have consistently advocated for the 
appointment of a U.S. Special Envoy to Northern Ireland, and I am 
pleased that President Biden recently appointed former Member of 
Congress Joe Kennedy to that position. In addition, the Subcommittee 
has held two hearings on the Northern Ireland peace process, hearing 
testimony from female leaders involved in the peace process and youth 
leaders, as well as a briefing, focused on the continued search for 
justice for those victims who experienced violence during the Troubles 
as

[[Page E1367]]

well as their families. Based on the testimony from these official 
events, I also introduced and passed House Resolution 888, condemning 
the killing of 14 individuals and the violence on Bloody Sunday as well 
as calling on all parties to take meaningful steps toward peace and 
reconciliation. Finally, to further these efforts, I led a 
Congressional Delegation in November 2022 to Dublin, Ireland and 
Belfast, United Kingdom to meet with stakeholders across communities 
and traditions and ensure the continued positive role of the United 
States as a good-faith actor in the implementation of the Good Friday 
Agreement. The CO DEL met with local leaders, representatives from the 
Irish and UK governments as well as all five of the main political 
parties in Northern Ireland. While I believe our efforts have been very 
impactful, I recognize that more work still needs to be done. I am 
thankful for the Members of the Subcommittee who have worked diligently 
on this issue over the past two years, and I will continue to make this 
issue a focus of mine in the coming Congress.
  Finally, as Chair I have endeavored to utilize the platform we have 
on the Subcommittee to highlight the voices of young people as well as 
individuals on the ground. For example, during the 116th Congress I led 
a joint hearing with the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis 
titled ``Voices Leading the Next Generation on the Global Climate 
Crisis.'' During that hearing we were honored to hear from young 
climate activists such as Greta Thunberg, Jamie Margolin, Vic Barrett 
and Benji Backer. Together they underscored the important need for 
politicians to enact progressive policies to combat global warming. In 
addition, I also held a hearing titled ``the Role of Young People in 
Fostering Peace in Northern Ireland,'' where young people from both 
committees testified on urgent need for continued implementation of the 
Good Friday Agreement as well as an increased focus on the creation of 
economic and educational opportunities in the region. At the same time, 
through the use of virtual hearings the Subcommittee has continually 
endeavored to hear from people in the region. In taking this approach, 
we have been able to be flexible and responsive to changing dynamics in 
the region, while hearing from those who understand firsthand the 
situation on the ground, and we have been able to hear from a more 
diverse set of voices who have shared new perspectives.
  As the 117th Congress comes to a close, I look forward to continuing 
the work of the Subcommittee in the next two years in the 118th 
Congress and I am immensely proud of the successes of this 
Subcommittee. I want to thank Chairman Gregory Meeks and Chairman Eliot 
Engel for their partnerships during the 116th and 117th Congresses. In 
addition, as we move into the 118th Congress, I want to acknowledge the 
efforts of this Subcommittee and its Members, including Ranking Member 
for the 117th Congress, Brian Fitzpatrick and Ranking Member for the 
116th Congress, Adam Kinzinger, for their commitment to work in a 
bipartisan manner on issues within the Subcommittee's jurisdiction.
  The U.S. commitment to Europe and our transatlantic alliance is 
resolute and steadfast, and I will continue to advocate for the 
important issues outlined above as we move forward.
  In addition to this Summary of Accomplishments, I have compiled three 
appendixes outlining the hearings and briefings as well as CODELS we 
have organized, which can be viewed on https://keating.house.gov/.

                          ____________________