South and Central Asia

The South and Central Asia Subcommittee is a specialized panel within the House Committee on Foreign Affairs that focuses on a critical region spanning nearly 2 billion people and strategic waterways shaping the Indo-Pacific balance of power. As a subcommittee, it conducts initial hearings and reviews legislation within its narrower jurisdiction before matters can advance to the full committee for consideration. The subcommittee's oversight aligns with the State Department's Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs and includes functional jurisdiction over public diplomacy programs and the Peace Corps.

Chaired by Representative Bill Huizenga of Michigan and with Ranking Member Sydney Kamlager-Dove of California, the 14-member subcommittee addresses major foreign policy issues affecting the region. Recent hearings have examined U.S. foreign policy in South Asia, the U.S.-India strategic partnership, export control loopholes related to semiconductor technology, and the humanitarian crisis in Burma. These hearings reflect the subcommittee's focus on advancing American national security and economic interests while promoting democratic values and human rights in a region of significant geopolitical importance.

The subcommittee exists to provide focused congressional oversight of a complex region where U.S. interests span defense cooperation, trade partnerships, counterterrorism, and diplomatic engagement with countries undergoing political transformations. By holding specialized hearings and reviewing legislation before it reaches the full committee, the subcommittee ensures that South and Central Asia policy receives the detailed attention this strategically vital region demands.