WASHINGTON DC -- Congressman Bill Delahunt was selected to chair a key oversight panel in the House of Representatives: the International Organizations, Human Rights, and Oversight (IOHRO) Subcommittee of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs (HCFA).

Delahunt said, "I am honored to be chosen as Chairman.  Over the last several years, the United States has suffered a severe loss in global prestige that has compromised our ability to confront terrorism, promote human rights and democracy, and address world-wide environmental problems. The Bush administration's ideological approach to foreign policy has not only alienated nations around the world, but weakened our national security and hurt our position in the global economy.  I will do all I can in my new role to work to repair this damage and restore America’s reputation.”

The selection of Delahunt to chair the panel was made at an organizing meeting of the House Foreign Affairs Committee last week. The IOHRO panel will play a key role in conducting oversight of the Bush Administration's foreign policy.

As reflected in its title, the Subcommittee’s role will expand in the 110th Congress, placing a greater emphasis on human rights and international cooperation.  IOHRO will continue its oversight of the operations of the State Department, foreign aid and export assistance, arms control, democracy promotion, and U.S. policy toward the U.N. and its affiliated organizations. Delahunt also retained his position as a member of the HCFA subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere.

In the 109th Congress, Delahunt served as the senior Democrat on the subcommittee and pushed for more government accountability, particularly with regard to the massive corruption, incompetence, and cronyism that has accompanied the President’s policy in Iraq.

Delahunt also brought attention to independent assessments that documented how the decline of international support for the Bush Administration's foreign policy compromised our national security and economy.   For example, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) reported in 2005 that “anti-Americanism is spreading and deepening around the world. Such anti-American sentiments can increase foreign public support for terrorism directed at Americans, impact the cost and effectiveness of military operations, weaken the United States ability to align with other nations in pursuit of common policy objectives, and dampen foreign publics' enthusiasm for U.S. business services and products."

The full HCFA, chaired by Congressman Tom Lantos of California, will examine the deteriorating situation in Iraq, the perils of current U.S. policy toward Iran, the potential loss of Afghanistan to a resurgent Taliban, the nuclear threat from North Korea, the genocide in Darfur, and foreign policies that promote energy independence. As the primary investigative panel of the HCFA, Delahunt’s subcommittee will likely take the lead on many of these issues. 

In particular, Delahunt has long sought to inform the American public of many details surrounding U.S. policy in Iraq.  Before Democrats were elected to lead Congress in the 2006 elections, he led a series of discussions on the topic, known as “Iraq Watch,” late at night on the House floor (transcripts are at www.house.gov/delahunt). Now, as IOHRO Chairman, he intends to put that expertise to use by holding extensive hearings and calling Administration witnesses to testify on the record.  “The voters clearly said they wanted Congress to hold the Administration accountable, particularly on Iraq,” said Delahunt.  “And I intend to do so.”

Delahunt said some of his other priorities are examining U.S. policy toward Cuba as Fidel Castro’s passing seems imminent; the expanding use of private contractors for military purposes; efforts to promote America’s image abroad; allegations of religious bias in foreign aid; and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice’s controversial “transformational diplomacy” restructuring of the State Department.

Delahunt also announced that he will continue to serve as Chairman of the German Study Group, a bipartisan group of legislators working to improve relations with the German government. Delahunt will use this assignment to not only promote bilateral trade, but to stimulate foreign investment in renewable energy and other emerging environmental technologies.

Furthermore, Delahunt will maintain his position as the co-chair of the bipartisan House Cuba Working Group, which has led efforts to change U.S. policy toward that island nation.  He recently led a 10-member Congressional delegation to Cuba, the largest since that country’s 1959 Revolution.

Delahunt summed up his goals on the Subcommittee by saying that "America’s greatness as a nation comes from our democratic values and our respect for civil liberties and human rights here at home and around the world.  It is time to once again pursue a more thoughtful and bipartisan foreign policy and find ways to restore our respect and standing in the world community.  In doing so we will not only strengthen our national security, but we will create a better world for future generations."  

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