Press Releases
A delegation from the House Democracy Partnership (HDP) traveled to Afghanistan on June 3-4, 2012, to renew the commission's partnership with the Afghan National Assembly. The delegation was composed of HDP Chairman David Dreier (R-CA) and Ranking Democratic Member David Price (D-NC). Senator Rob Portman (R-Ohio) accompanied the House Members. This was HDP's eighth outbound legislative strengthening mission of the 112th Congress and 29th overall since 2005.
A delegation from the House Democracy Partnership (HDP) traveled to Europe and Central and South Asia from February 18-26, 2012, to inaugurate the commission's partnership with the Kyrgyz legislature, renew the commission's partnership with the Pakistani legislature, and conduct bilateral visits to Armenia and Sweden. The delegation was led by HDP Chairman David Dreier (R-CA), and included HDP member Joe Wilson (R-SC), along with Reps. Jim Moran (D-VA), Kenny Marchant (RTX), and Adrian Smith (R-NE).
A delegation from the House Democracy Partnership (HDP) traveled to South and Central America from November 5-12, 2011, to renew the commission's partnership with the Congress of Peru, meet with counterparts in HDP partner Colombia, and conduct bilateral visits to Panama, El Salvador, and Guatemala. The delegation was led by HDP Chairman David Dreier (R-CA) and included HDP members Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE), Sam Farr (D-CA), and Susan Davis (D-CA), along with Reps. Dennis Cardoza (D-CA) and Gregory Meeks (D-NY).
From October 31 to November 4, 2011, the House Democracy Partnership (HDP) organized a weeklong seminar for 10 Members of Parliament from Afghanistan, all of whom hold positions on defense oversight committees. This program, which focused on strengthening legislative oversight of the military, was organized in cooperation with the Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Studies (NESA Center) of the National Defense University.
From October 24 to 28, 2011, the House Democracy Partnership (HDP) organized a weeklong seminar for 13 Members of Parliament from three HDP partner countries (Afghanistan, Haiti, and Peru).
On October 10, 2011, a delegation from the House Democracy Partnership (HDP) traveled to Haiti for its first meeting with members of the new Haitian National Assembly. The 10-Member delegation was led by HDP Chairman David Dreier (R-CA) and included HDP Members Lois Capps (D-CA), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Gwen Moore (D-WI), and Susan Davis, as well as Donald Payne (D-NJ), Maxine Waters (D-CA), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Donna Christensen (D-VI) and Yvette Clark (D-NY).
A delegation from the House Democracy Partnership (HDP) traveled to Northern Africa and the Middle East from September 24 to October 3, 2011, to inaugurate its partnership with the Iraqi Council of Representatives, continue its partnership with the Lebanese National Assembly, and examine the political changes underway in Tunisia, Egypt, and Jordan. The delegation was led by HDP Chairman David Dreier (R-CA) and included HDP Ranking Democratic Member David Price (DNC), HDP Members Keith Ellison (D-MN) and Gwen Moore (D-WI), and Representative Jim McDermott (D-WA).
A delegation from the House Democracy Partnership (HDP) traveled to four countries in the former Soviet bloc from June 3-12, 2011, to advance partnerships with the legislatures of Georgia and Mongolia and to conclude its five-year program in Ukraine. The Commission also visited Kyrgyzstan to explore the possibility of a program in the newly democratic Central Asian nation. The delegation was led by HDP Chairman David Dreier (R-CA) and included HDP Ranking Democratic Member David Price (D-NC), HDP Member Susan Davis (D-CA), and Representative Brad Miller (D-NC).
Improving the capacity of committee operations is a primary component of the House Democracy Partnership's work with its partner legislatures. From March 28 to April 1, 2011, the House Democracy Partnership (HDP) organized a weeklong seminar for 22 Members of Parliament from three HDP partner countries (Indonesia, Lebanon, and Pakistan) and one observer country (Iraq).
Developing the capacity of legislative staff is a central component of the House Democracy Partnership's work with its partner legislatures. From December 13-17, 2010, the House Democracy Partnership (HDP) organized a weeklong Parliamentary Staff Institute on strengthening committee operations for staff from 13 HDP partner countries: Afghanistan, Georgia, Haiti, Indonesia, Kenya, Kosovo, Lebanon, Liberia, Macedonia, Mongolia, Pakistan, Peru, and Timor-Leste.