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And as we start each hearing, we will start with the pledge. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Good morning. Purpose of this hearing is to hear from members of Congress on bills that have been referred to the Foreign Affairs Committee.
And I would now like to recognize recognize myself for a brief opening statement. Very brief. I like to believe that the American people deserve open, transparent Congress, and that's what we're doing here today. Today, every member gets the opportunity, if they wish, the same opportunity to bring bills forward that they would like to see the Foreign Affairs Committee take up. Everybody gets to be heard.
It doesn't matter if you're on the committee or not on the committee. You can bring your bill, and we will bring it up for debate and conversation. Today, you have that chance to make your case to your colleagues and the American people about why you believe your bill is important and the right direction for this country. This is transparency in action.
It's not just lip service, and I appreciate the members bringing forward their ideas. And that, I now recognize the ranking member from Rhode Island, Representative Amo, for an opening statement. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman, and thank you for those sentiments about the importance of this hearing today. I welcome all of my colleagues to the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Our work on this committee is integral to developing, strengthening, and ensuring oversight of the United States foreign policy and national security. As the committee of jurisdiction for oversight of the State Department, the work that we do here has a significant impact on the work of our diplomatic and development professionals at home and abroad and their work to advance U.S. leadership and our global priorities. Though you may not formally sit on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, you are here today because you understand just how deeply U.S. foreign policy affects your district and your constituents. Your insight today comes at a critical time of global instability and increased threats to U.S. leadership and the rules-based order that has benefited the United States for decades. We are grateful to have you with us to share your perspectives and help inform our work on the committee as we work alongside Chairman Mast and with the leadership of ranking member Meeks, who I am proud to fill in for here today. I look forward to hearing from each and every member here. So in the interest of not taking too much time away from our guests, I want to thank you all for joining us. And I am sure we will all greatly benefit from your expertise you bring to this conversation. Thank you. And I yield back. Ranking member yields back.
Your full statements will be made a part of the record. And I'll ask each of you to keep your spoken remarks to about five minutes in order to allow time for other members' questions. Now, following all of your remarks, I recognize members of the committee to ask questions, so please stay after your remarks. And that, again, I thank you all for being here, and I'd now like to recognize
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The Honorable Chris Smith
Thank you so very much, Mr. Chairman and ranking member. Thank you for convening this important hearing and for the work that you have been doing for our foreign policy. It's been tremendous. I would ask, I have a number of bills, but I'll narrow it down to two at least for now. One of them is called the Nelson Wells and Dawn Michelle Hunt Unjustly Detained in Communist China Act, H.R. 5491. Last year ago in September, I held yet another hearing on human rights abuse in China. I chair the China Commission, and I've to date had 107 congressional hearings focused exclusively on human rights abuses in China. But this was very unique because it focused on Americans who get accused, including people who are trying to do trade in China. They get accused of something, and then they get up to life imprisonment.
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