Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere

Agenda:

A hearing  that will examine the U.S. national security implications of the President’s Cuba policy change and potential vulnerabilities to Americans as a result.

Witnesses: 

Chairman Salmon on the hearing: “In the past 12 months, over 66,000 Unaccompanied Alien Children from Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador have left their home countries to embark on a dangerous trek to the southern border of the United States..."

Chairman Salmon on the hearing: “Rule of law, predictability, and strong democratic institutions are vital in providing the confidence investors need to bring economic opportunity, growth and jobs to any given country.  Latin America is rich in resources and human capital, but many countries in the region are plagued by corruption, weak institutions, and leaders who systematically erode democratic values. This hearing will give my Subcommittee the opportunity to examine where confidence has been shaken, how U.S. economic interests are affected, and what if anything the United States can do to encourage greater transparency and market friendly approaches throughout the Americas."

Ambassador William R. Brownfield: "Today’s reality is that criminal and illicit networks have expanded their tentacles to all parts of the world, corrupting public and market-based institutions alike."