WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT) announced his subcommittee assignments for the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He will serve as Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy. He will also serve on the Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation and on the Subcommittee on Near East, South Asia, Central Asia, and Counterterrorism, which he chaired last Congress.
“We have a great task ahead of us in addressing the threat China poses to the free world. We must link arms with our friends and allies to confront China, to push the Chinese Communist Party to abandon its predatory policies and demand that China abide by the norms and rules which the rest of us follow. We must enact policies which support the cause of freedom around the world, which includes holding the Chinese Communist Party accountable for the atrocities they commit against the Uyghur people and other ethnic minorities,” Senator Romney said. “I look forward to serving as the lead Republican on the subcommittee which deals with all of these matters and working to develop an effective strategy to countering China.”
“We must confront weaknesses in our cyber capabilities to protect our national security interests and reduce vulnerability from attacks,” Romney continued. “As Ranking Member of the subcommittee on cybersecurity policy, I will prioritize efforts to combat the cyber threats from our adversaries and bolster our cyber defenses to prevent future attacks.”
“I look forward also to serving on the subcommittee on Europe where we will work to strengthen our relationships with our allies and friends in Europe. Our work will also continue on the subcommittee dealing with the Middle East and South Asia, where we face great challenges and significant opportunities for cooperation. It is critical that we maintain and strengthen our alliances with key partners in the regions,” Romney concluded.
Background on Romney’s subcommittees:
- The Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy deals with all matters concerning U.S. relations with the countries of East Asia and the Pacific as well as regional intergovernmental organizations like the Association of South East Asian Nations and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum. This subcommittee’s regional responsibilities include all matters within the geographic region, including matters relating to: (1) terrorism and non-proliferation; (2) crime and illicit narcotics; (3) U.S. foreign assistance programs; and (4) the promotion of U.S. trade and exports. In addition, this subcommittee has global responsibility for international cybersecurity and space policy.
- The Subcommittee on Near East, South Asia, Central Asia, and Counterterrorism deals with all matters concerning U.S. relations with the countries of the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia, and Central Asia, as well as regional intergovernmental organizations. This subcommittee’s regional responsibilities include all matters within the geographic region, including matters relating to: (1) terrorism and non-proliferation; (2) crime and illicit narcotics; (3) U.S. foreign assistance programs; and (4) the promotion of U.S. trade and exports. In addition, this subcommittee has global responsibility for counterterrorism matters.
- The Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation deals with all matters concerning U.S. relations with the countries in Europe and the European Union, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and regional intergovernmental organizations like the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (except the states of Central Asia that are within the jurisdiction of the Subcommittee on Near East, South Asia, Central Asia, and Counterterrorism). This subcommittee’s regional responsibilities include all matters within the geographic region, including matters relating to: (1) terrorism and non-proliferation; (2) crime and illicit narcotics; (3) U.S. foreign assistance programs; and (4) the promotion of U.S. trade and exports. In addition, this subcommittee has global responsibility for regional security cooperation.