press release

U.S Congressional Delegation Visits Nicaragua

February 18, 2009

A U.S. Congressional Delegation will be visiting Nicaragua from February 18 to 20.  The delegation from the House of Representatives is headed by Representative Eliot Engel (D-NY), and includes Representatives Virginia Foxx (R-NC), Jean Schmidt (R-OH), Mark Souder (R-IN), Rubén Hinojosa (D-TX) and John Salazar (D-CO).  During their visit, the delegation will meet with representatives from Nicaraguan civil society, business community and political leaders.

Congressman Engel serves on the Foreign Affairs Committee and is the Chairman of the Sub-committee on the Western Hemisphere.  He also serves on the Energy and Commerce Committee including the Subcommittees on Health, and Energy and Air Quality; as well as serving on the Asia Pacific Subcommittee, and the Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia.  In addition, he serves as Vice Chair of the Democratic Task Force on Homeland Security. He is the founder and Co-Chair of the House Oil and National Security Caucus, which is seeking clean, energy efficient alternatives to America's over-reliance on oil.

Rep. Foxx, in her third term, currently serves on the powerful House Committees on Rules.  The Rules Committee determines what legislation comes to the floor of the House and what amendments will be allowed during floor debate.  Rep. Jean Schmidt is the first woman ever elected to represent Southern Ohio in Congress.  Her assignments include the Committee on Agriculture and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.  Rep. Mark Souder is a member of the House Committee on Homeland Security.  Rep. Souder is the lead Republican on the Subcommittee on Border, Maritime, and Global Counterterrorism.  He is also a member of the House Committee on Education and Labor.  Rep. Hinojosa serves on two House committees: the Committee on Education and Labor and the Committee on Financial Services. Rep. John Salazar is a member of the Committee on Appropriations where he serves on the Energy and Water Development Subcommittee and the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Subcommittee.

The delegation is arriving from a visit to Mexico.

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For more press releases visit:  http://nicaragua.usembassy.state.gov