Rep. Kiggans Appointed to the Congressional-Executive Commission on China

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Jen Kiggans (VA-02) released the following statement after Speaker Mike Johnson appointed her to the bipartisan and bicameral Congressional-Executive Commission on China for the 119th Congress.

 Rep. Kiggans said, “I am honored to accept an appointment to the Congressional-Executive Commission on China. I am grateful to Speaker Johnson and Chairman Chris Smith for this opportunity and will work diligently to fulfill the mandate of the Commission.

This important Commission has monitored Beijing’s human rights records for over two decades and I’m grateful that these crimes aren’t going unreported; however, I believe there is more work to be done. 

My fellow commissioners and I have our work cut out for us, especially as Beijing grows increasingly aggressive towards the United States and our interests—and increasingly oppressive towards its own people. From forced labor and reeducation camps to transnational repression campaigns, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is only growing more tyrannical. I have been continually appalled at how the CCP has treated its minority populations, like the Uyghurs and practitioners of Falun Gong. With such egregious crimes against humanity and the exploitation of workers across the globe, I hope the Commission continues to draw attention to the PRC’s human rights abuses and encourages businesses to secure their supply chains away from China.

As a former helicopter pilot in the U.S. Navy, a Navy Wife and Mom, and representative of a district with a major naval presence, I can speak from experience on issues regarding China and our defense posture, and I look forward to serving on the Commission.”

Speaker Johnson said, “As a former Naval aviator, a thought leader in Congress, and an experienced voice on the House Armed Services Committee, Congresswoman Jen Kiggans is well qualified to serve on the Congressional Executive Commission on China. It is my honor to appoint her to serve on this commission and continue the longstanding, bipartisan tradition of keeping a watchful eye on the Chinese Communist Party’s human rights and rule of law abuses.”

Background:

The Congressional-Executive Commission on China was created by Congress in October 2000 with the legislative mandate to monitor human rights and the development of the rule of law in China, and to submit an annual report to the President and the Congress. The Commission consists of nine Senators, nine Members of the House of Representatives, and five senior Administration officials appointed by the President. The Speaker and the Minority Leader appoint 9 Members (5 Majority, 4 Minority) each Congress.

You find the website for the Congressional-Executive Commission on China here.