The House Armed Services Strategic Forces subcommittee, chaired by Congressman Mike Rogers (R-AL), will hold a joint subcommittee hearing with Chairman Ted Poe (R-TX) of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade titled “Russian Arms Control Cheating and the Administration’s Response.”  It will take place Wednesday, December 10^th at 2:00p.m. in 2118 Rayburn House Office Building.

The purpose of this hearing is to conduct oversight on Administration responses to Russia’s record of violation and noncompliance with its arms control obligations.  Earlier this year, after years of pressure from Congress, including by Chairman Rogers, the Administration finally acknowledged Russia is violating the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces Treaty.  The FY15 National Defense Authorization Act, recently passed by the House of Representatives, included legislative provisions authored by Chairman Rogers to begin to deal with that violation and to ensure U.S. national security and to assure our allies.

Chairman Rogers said: “For the Obama Administration, making agreements with Russia has been the easy part.  Compelling Vladimir Putin to abide by these agreements has been a different matter altogether. 

“If the Administration seriously confronts Russia’s cheating on agreements like the INF treaty, Chemical and Biological Weapons Conventions and the agreements related to halting nuclear testing, they will have my support and the support of the Armed Services Committee. 

“If, however, the Administration continues to choose to ignore Putin’s dangerous and aggressive behavior, they’re going to have a very uncomfortable last two years.”

Chairman Poe said: “Russia’s clear violation of the INF Treaty and blatant disregard for international norms is the new status quo. Putin cannot be allowed to continue to violate landmarkarms control treaties without severe consequences. I hope that we can move past the finger-wagging stage and finally show the Russians that their actions will have serious repercussions. I look forward to hearing what option this Administration has drawn up to punish Putin.”

WHAT:   Joint Subcommittee Hearing: “Russian Arms Control Cheating and the Administration’s Responses”

WHEN: Wednesday, December 10^th at 2:00 p.m.

WHERE: 2118 Rayburn House Office Building           

Witness List:

The Honorable Rose Gottemoeller

Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security

U.S. Department of State

The Honorable Brian McKeon

Principal Deputy Under Secretary for Policy

U.S. Department of Defense

*Note:  Witnesses may be added

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