Romney to Help Lead Key Panels on China and Homeland Security

WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT) today announced that he will serve as Ranking Member of two Senate subcommittees for the 118th Congress. Senator Romney will serve as Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations (SFRC) Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy, which will be chaired by Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD). He will also serve as Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs (HSGAC) Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Spending Oversight, which will be chaired by Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH).

“The United States must become better prepared to face the wide range of threats both at home and abroad,” said Senator Romney. “China’s quest to become the world’s leading power—economically, militarily, and geopolitically—is the central challenge of the 21st Century. At the same time, we must improve government efficiency and rein in federal spending. These subcommittee roles provide an opportunity to continue my efforts to address the new era of competition with China and other emerging national security threats, get our national debt under control, and improve oversight of how Americans’ tax dollars are spent in Washington.”

Background on Romney’s subcommittees:

• The SFRC 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 HSGAC Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Spending Oversight is responsible for the prevention of waste, fraud, and abuse of taxpayer dollars; examining emerging national security threats and federal preparedness to respond to those threats; and improving threat prevention coordination between the federal government and state, local, Tribal, and territorial governments, among other matters.