Ranking Member Shaheen Secures Key Foreign Policy Wins in Committee Business Meeting

WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement after the Committee advanced five pieces of legislation she led or co-led to strengthen U.S. national security, counter strategic competitors and reinforce American leadership abroad.

"Today's strong bipartisan support for these bills reflects the Senate Foreign Relations Committee's commitment to advancing American leadership, strengthening our national security and ensuring U.S. foreign policy delivers results for the American people. From helping our partners access trusted American technology and countering growing Chinese and Russian influence, to promoting accountability for taxpayer dollars and supporting stability in critical regions, these bipartisan measures advance U.S. interests and demonstrate that Congress plays an important role in shaping foreign policy. I'm pleased the Committee approved these priorities, and I look forward to working to advance them through the legislative process."

Below is a summary of the foreign policy priorities secured by Ranking Member Shaheen:

U.S. Tech PATH Act

Senator Shaheen's bipartisan U.S. Tech PATH Act, cosponsored by Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE), would help foreign partner countries procure American cyber and digital technologies, strengthening U.S. competitiveness and reducing reliance on Chinese technology. The legislation will improve the U.S. government's ability to respond to foreign demand for trusted American technology while supporting U.S. businesses and innovation.

Saving Lives and Taxpayer Dollars Act

Senator Shaheen's bipartisan legislation, cosponsored by Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), will increase transparency over taxpayer-funded foreign assistance commodities, including emergency food supplies and family planning commodities, by requiring annual reporting to Congress on any commodities that expire or spoil. The bill ensures lawmakers have visibility into instances of waste and can better oversee the use of taxpayer resources. USAID's Office of Inspector General has released two reports in the last week on wasted family planning and food commodities.

Syria Sanctions Repeal

This bipartisan legislation, cosponsored by Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA), would repeal two sanctions laws originally imposed on the Assad regime while preserving authorities to sanction individual human rights abusers and other bad actors. Eighteen months after Assad's fall, repealing these sanctions laws will help facilitate the flow of U.S. goods and technology needed for Syria's reconstruction and reduce incentives for Syria to turn to Russia or China.

Arctic Security and Diplomacy Act

Following a bipartisan Arctic CODEL led by Senators Shaheen and Murkowski, this bipartisan legislation, led by Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) and cosponsored by Senator Shaheen, would require the State Department to develop a strategy to identify and counter foreign espionage and influence operations in the Arctic. The bill responds to growing cooperation between Russia and China in the region and seeks to protect U.S. national security interests in the Arctic.

Reassessing the United States-Tanzania Bilateral Relationship Act

Senator Shaheen's bipartisan bill, cosponsored by Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), would require a comprehensive review of the U.S.-Tanzania relationship following significant political violence and democratic backsliding in Tanzania. The legislation also directs the Administration to assess Tanzania's growing ties with China and Russia and to evaluate the implications for U.S. strategic and economic interests in East Africa.

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