The Ongoing Importance of the Work of the U.S. Helsinki Commission

Madam Speaker, I rise today to discuss the work of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, also known as the Helsinki Commission and its continued importance in addressing challenges in our country and abroad. For over four decades, the Helsinki Commission has championed human rights, democracy, and comprehensive security across the 57 North American, European, and Central Asian countries that make up the region of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). As Chair of the Helsinki Commission during the 116th Congress, I worked with my House and Senate colleagues to continue the Commission's longstanding efforts to monitor participating States compliance with the Helsinki Accords.

The importance of election observation in our country and abroad, restorative justice, the safety of journalists, and the global impact of George Floyd's tragic death on racial justice efforts were just some of the issues the Commission addressed last Congress, in addition to our continued focus on Russia, Ukraine, the Balkans and continued democratic development in the region.

As we continue our work of the 117th Congress, I invite you to review the report: "Retrospective On The 116th Congress" at https://www.csce.gov/international-impact/retrospective-116th-congress.

This report summarizes the Commission's activities, as well as recommendations critical for the continued promotion of democracy and U.S. national security.

Madam Speaker, I look forward to continuing this critically important work during the 117th Congress.