U.S. Representative Ed Royce

Washington, Nov 7, 2012 - Today, Representative Ed Royce (R-CA) officially announced his intention to seek the chairmanship of the Committee on Foreign Affairs for the 113th Congress. Current Chairman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, who is backing Royce for the position, is stepping down due to Conference term limits. Royce currently serves as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade.  

"I look forward to presenting my case to my colleagues later this month, and sharing my vision for the Foreign Affairs Committee," said Royce.

"Foreign policy didn't decide this presidential election, but it critically impacts our national security. If selected as chairman, I will work against the Administration's most harmful foreign policies, and exercise strong oversight over the State Department and other agencies. The Administration's behavior in the Benghazi incident still demands a credible accounting."

"Right now, the gravest threat facing the U.S. and our allies is Iran. We need to be doing all we can to pressure its regime to stop its march to nuclear weapons," said Royce, who served as a conferee to the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010 and has been a leader in defending Israel.

"I am honored to have Chairman Ros-Lehtinen's support. She has seen my work over many years and has confidence in my ability to lead the Committee going forward."

In a letter to the Steering Committee today, Chairman Ros-Lehtinen wrote that Royce is, "a proven leader who has provided valuable input during critical debates of our Committee." She concluded, "Ed would make an excellent Chairman and I strongly support his candidacy to lead the Committee in the next Congress."

Royce has focused his Committee work on counterterrorism, nonproliferation and trade policy. He has long chaired the interparliamentary exchange with ally South Korea and has strongly focused on Asia, especially China, Taiwan, India, the Philippines and Vietnam. Royce has often pushed to strengthen human rights, including co-chairing the International Parliamentarians Coalition for North Korean Refugees and Human Rights, while working to protect the sanctity of life.

"I have helped secure loose shoulder-fired missiles, bolster relations with traditional and new allies, and bring to justice international terrorists and war criminals," Royce wrote in a letter today that went to senior Republican members who will oversee the selection of committee chairmen.

"We are only as strong abroad as we are at home. We need to be expanding economic opportunities for American companies overseas. Economic diplomacy is a set of issues that Committee members could do more on," said Royce, emphasizing the role the Committee can play to improve America's economic competitiveness.  

Pledging strong stewardship of U.S. taxpayer dollars should he be selected as Committee chair, Royce noted, "Too often, we put faith in the type of social engineering abroad that we know fails at home."  

Royce has served on the Committee since entering Congress in 1993. He chaired the Africa Subcommittee for eight years, and has served as chairman or ranking member of the Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade Subcommittee for eight years.

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