House: "International Relations"

Category One:

Functions of Committee-
The International relations committee is responsible for many different aspects of foreign relations. They are also accountable for the legislation that is involved in these relations. Types of foreign relations governed include: foreign assistance, the Peace Corps, National security affecting foreign policy, planning and agreements, war powers, peacekeeping, arms and disarmament issues, the United States Agency for International development, activities and policies of the state, international law, promotion of democracy, Broadcasting Board of Governors, embassy security, international broadcasting, public diplomacy, and cultural problems. The International Relations committee is also in charge of oversight to any matter involved with foreign relations.


Purpose of Committee-
The purpose of the International Relations committee is to represent the United States in the foreign affairs field. Although the President does have the lead on nearly all aspects of foreign affairs, the House has the "power of the purse" in order to influence the President's agenda.

Category Two:

Chairman-
The current chair is Howard L. Berman, who is a Democrat from the state of California. Howard as been the chairman of the International Operations subcommittee from 1991-94 and also served as the senior Democrat on the Asia and Pacific subcommittee from 1995-98. In 2008 Howard severed as the chairman of the Foreign Affairs committee.

Key Members-
*These members are key due to the fact they sponsored many bills of legislation for their committee.

Category Three:

Current Bills pending-

H.R.585: To direct the President to enter into arrangement with the National Academy of Sciences to evaluate harmful aspects of public health, air quality, water quality, plant and animal life, global climate, or the environment, and to devise a plan to reverse the harmful side effects found. Sponsored by Barbara Lee and introduced January 15,2009.

H.R.591: To improve the United States capabilities for gathering human intelligence through effective interrogation and detention of suspected terrorists and for bringing terrorists to justice in accordance with the Constitution. Sponsored by David Price and introduced January 15,2009.

H.R. 994: To remove incentives/loopholes that encourage the illegal immigrations of aliens to the come to the United States to live and work. Fore more to provide additional resources to local law enforcement, border patrol and immigration officers as well as other purposes. Sponsored by David Obey and introduced February 23, 2009

H.R. 1448: To give both the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Attorney General raise the amount of resources necessary to identify and eliminate illicit forces of firearms smuggled into Mexico for drug trafficking and other unlawful activities. This will require security grants to local law enforcement agencies and reinforcing Federal agencies on the border and other purposes. Sponsored by Ciro Rodriguez and introduced March 11, 2009

H.R. 1623: To protect children from sexual exploitation by mandating reporting requirements for convicted sex traffickers as well as other sex offenders against minors attempting to travel abroad, by providing advanced notice of intention of travel by high risk sex offenders outside the U.S. to the government of the country of destination, and preventing entrance into the U.S. by any foreign sex offender against a minor and for other purposes. Sponsored by Christopher Smith and introduced March 19, 2009