Representative Mike Kelly Appointed as Vice-Chairman of House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific

Representative Mike Kelly Appointed as Vice-Chairman of House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Mike Kelly (PA-03) has been selected to serve as the Vice-Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific. The subcommittee will focus on trade and security-related policies affecting U.S. interests in the region, including the enforcement of trade rules with China and other Asian countries, the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement, arms control and non-proliferation efforts on the Korean Peninsula, and other policies advancing greater stability and security throughout the region.

“The Asia-Pacific region is key to America’s economic recovery and overall security,” said Rep. Kelly. “The region represents over 50 percent of world trade, and I will work with Foreign Affairs Chairman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL- 18)and Subcommittee Chairman Don Manzullo (IL-16) to make sure that American companies and manufacturers can compete in that market fairly and openly. With greater access, we can increase exports, create jobs, and continue to build strategic partnerships throughout the region.”

“Congressman Kelly represents a manufacturing-heavy district that has struggled to compete in the global market because of unfair trade practices, unenforced trade policies, and burdensome regulatory barriers that weaken American industries,” said Rep. Ros-Lehtinen. “As a small business owner and nationally recognized leader in the automobile industry, Rep. Kelly has an important perspective to offer our committee and we are excited to have him on board.”

Subcommittee Chairman Don Manzullo said Rep. Kelly’s private sector experience and, in particular, his work with South Korean car makers Kia and Hyundai will help the subcommittee in its review of international economic policies that have sidelined American companies from competing in the global marketplace. “More than 40 percent of the world’s population is in the Asia-Pacific region. With his extensive knowledge of the region and business background, Mike will be a strong voice for American trade interests in that part of the world.”

In addition to the Foreign Affairs Committee, Representative Kelly serves on the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, where he serves as Vice-Chairman of the Subcommittee on Technology, Information Policy, Intergovernmental Relations and Procurement Reform, and on the Education and Workforce Committee.

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