Ed Royce

we have another Zimbabwe election, another Mugabe victory through cheating and strong-arming and harassment

the performance of SADC... has really been a disappointment here

they concluded that the elections were... a credible reflection of the will of the people, free and fair

the unity government has collapsed, the opposition party has been sidelined indefinitely, and ZANU hardliners are in control

I have long believed that the most effective way for the United States to bring freedom and democracy to people around the world is to promote principles of economic freedom, entrepreneurship, and free trade.

Unfortunately, the Western Hemisphere is the home to several leaders intent on stifling economic growth and freedom, and eroding democratic institutions and values.

A nation so rich in natural resources and human capital is being strangled by authoritarian populism that Kirchner has admired in Hugo Chavez.

I again thank you, Mr. Chairman, for holding this very important hearing on the challenges of democracy.

We do have a situation where we have seen the unraveling of democratic values in several countries over the last decade.

These types of laws do more than challenge democracy, they dismantle democratic institutions right here in the Western Hemisphere.

The language of this law is open to the whims of President Correa, who has shown himself to be anti-press, anti-free expression.

The passage of this law is chilling to those of us who know the importance of press freedom and independence from government for the proper functioning of a free society.

The President promises a military operation in Syria of limited scope and duration.

There is no support for boots on the ground and the desire to rewrite the authorization.

I think most all of us believe, the President believes, everyone at this table believes there is no military solution in Syria.

my one regret was inaction in Rwanda.

There are too many bad actors out there. Countries like Iran are watching.

God help us if we become a country that can't do the right thing because we paralyze ourselves to inaction.

God help us if we don't.

The President's decision this past weekend to seek an authorization of military force from Congress was not anticipated, but it was welcomed.

I strongly agree with President Obama that the United States must respond to this flagrant violation of international law with a limited military strike to deter the further use of chemical weapons and degrade the Assad regime's ability to…

While it is critically important for the U.S. to hold the Assad regime accountable for the use of chemical weapons, we must also focus on developing a larger strategy to address the ongoing humanitarian crisis, support our regional…

This is not the first time America has put down a red line on chemical weapons.

If we say that the use of chemical weapons is unacceptable, yet we fail to act, this will embolden Iran's pursuit of nuclear breakout capabilities.

this is not an effort to take over Syria's civil war, it is an effort to uphold this standard.