March 25, 2021

Chairman Castro Leads Subcommittee Hearing on U.S. Standing in International Organizations

Washington D.C. — The House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on International Development, International Organizations, and Global Corporate Social Impact held a hearing entitled “U.S. Standing in International Organizations” under the leadership of Chairman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) on Tuesday, March 23, 2021. The hearing focused on the United States’ role in international organizations such as the United Nations and what actions Congress can take to help strengthen American leadership and counter corrupting authoritarian influences in these important global institutions. 

“From pandemics to climate change, the 21st century is defined by global challenges. This requires global solutions,” said Chairman Castro.“Institutions like the United Nations play a vital role in protecting American interests and advancing American values. After a tragic four years of U.S. disengagement, now is the time for us to recommit to multilateral diplomacy as part of international organizations in order to address humanity’s shared challenges. American leadership at the United Nations and other international organizations is more important than ever.” 

Testifying before the subcommittee were the Honorable Maria Otero, Former Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights and the first Latina to earn Under Secretary rank at the State Department, Mr. Jordie Hannum, Executive Director of the Better World Campaign, Ms. Gay J. McDougall, a Senior Fellow and Distinguished Scholar-in Residence at both the Leitner Center for International Law and Justice and the Center for Race, Law, and Justice at Fordham University School of Law, and Mr. Hugh Dugan, Former Senior Director for International Organization Affairs at the National Security Council.  

You can view a full recording of this Subcommittee hearing here.

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