Casey Named Subcommittee Chair

WASHINGTON, DC- In his third year in the Senate, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) has been named the Chairman the Senate Foreign Relations Near Eastern and South and Central Asian Affairs Subcommittee. The Subcommittee will play a key role in the foreign policy debates in the critical regions of the Middle East and South Asia.

“I am pleased and honored to serve as the Chairman of such a critical Subcommittee. Many of today’s most important foreign policy challenges facing the United States fall under the jurisdiction of this Subcommittee. I look forward to working with Chairman Kerry as we address such topics as responsibly drawing down our combat forces in Iraq, reversing a sharply deteriorating situation in Afghanistan, halting Iran’s rapid progress in its nuclear program and revitalizing the moribund Middle East peace process.”

This Subcommittee deals with the geographical region spanning from Israel to India, with Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan in between. Its geographic responsibilities also encompass U.S. relations with the so-called “Stans” of Central Asia, corresponding to the jurisdiction of the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs in the Department of State.

This Subcommittee's responsibilities include all matters within the geographic region relating to: (1) terrorism and non-proliferation; (2) crime and illicit narcotics; (3) U.S. foreign assistance programs and (4) the promotion of U.S. trade and exports.

Senator Casey will also serve on the European Affairs Subcommittee, the International Development and Foreign Assistance Subcommittee and the East Asian and Pacific Affairs Subcommittee.