The US-China Economic and Security Review Commission is charged with monitoring and investigating the United States’ bilateral trade relationship with the People’s Republic of China. Each year, the commission submits a
report to Congress, outlining any national security issues raised by the economic relationship between China and America. The report makes
recommendations, where appropriate, for future legislative and administrative action.
Legislation passed on November 22, 2005, amended the responsibilities of the commission to focus in eight main areas, including proliferation practices, economic transfers, energy, American capital markets, regional economic and security impacts, US-China bilateral programs, WTO compliance, and the implications of restrictions on speech and access to information in China.
The commission is comprised of
12 members, three of whom are selected by each majority and minority leader of the Senate, and the speaker and the minority leader of the House. Each commissioner serves a two-year term.
Commissioners receive support from a staff of professional and administrative staff with extensive backgrounds in trade, economics, weapons proliferation, foreign policy and US-China relations. Some are fluent or proficient in Chinese (Mandarin) and most have significant prior working and traveling experience in China and Taiwan. The staff is headed by T. Scott Bunton, Commission Executive Director.
Current Commissioners
Larry M. Wortzel , Chairman
Former director of the Asian Studies Center and vice president for foreign policy at the Heritage Foundation; former director of the Strategic Studies Institute of the US Army War College; former Army Attaché at the American Embassy in China. Reappointed by House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert on December 8, 2006, for a third term expiring December 31, 2008. Unanimously approved as commission chairman for the 2008 Report Cycle, he previously served as the commission chairman for the 2006 report cycle.
Carolyn Bartholomew, Vice Chairman
Former chief of staff, counsel, legislative director and foreign policy advisor to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi; former staff member on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Reappointed by Pelosi on December 19, 2007, for a two-year term expiring December 31, 2009. Bartholomew served as the commission vice chairman and chairman for the 2006 and 2007 report cycle, respectively.
Daniel A. Blumenthal, Vice Chairman
Resident fellow in Asian studies at the American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research. Previously, Blumenthal was senior director for China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Mongolia in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs during the first George W. Bush administration. Reappointed by Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell for a two-year term expiring December 31, 2009. Previously served as vice chairman for the 2007 report cycle.
Peter T.R. Brookes
Senior fellow for national security affairs and director of the Asian Studies Center at the Heritage Foundation. Previously served in the Bush administration as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Affairs; former Republican staff member of the House Committee on International Relations. Reappointed by House Minority Leader John Boehner on December 6, 2007, for a two-year term expiring December 31, 2009.
Mark T. Esper
Executive vice president of the Aerospace Industries Association of America and former director of national security affairs for Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN). Appointed by Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell on March 20, 2007, for a two-year term expiring December 31, 2008.
Jeffrey L. Fiedler
President of Research Associates of America, a non-profit labor research organization. Previously he was the elected president of the Food and Allied Service Trade Department, AFL-CIO (“FAST”). Reappointed by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on December 19, 2007, for a term expiring December 31, 2009.
Patrick A. Mulloy
Adjunct professor of international trade law at Catholic University and George Mason University law schools; former Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Market Access and Compliance; former general counsel of the Senate Banking Committee. Appointed to the commission by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) for a two-year term expiring December 31, 2009. Mulloy previously served as a member from April 2001 to December 31, 2006.
William A. Reinsch
President of the National Foreign Trade Council; former Under Secretary of Commerce for Export Administration; former legislative assistant to Senator John Heinz (R-PA) and Senator John D. Rockefeller, IV (D-WV). Reappointed by Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid for a fifth term expiring December 31, 2009.
Dennis C. Shea
Government and public policy attorney, former director of policy for the Bob Dole for President Campaign, deputy chief of staff to Senator Elizabeth Dole, and Assistant Secretary for Policy Development and Research at the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Appointed by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) on February 17, 2007, for a two-year term expiring December 31, 2008.
Daniel M. Slane
Founder and co-owner of the Slane Company with extensive international business experience. Slane was appointed to the commission by House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) on December 10, 2007, for a two-year term expiring on December 31, 2009.
Peter Videnieks
Former advisor on foreign affairs and energy issues to Senator Robert C. Byrd (D-WVA); previously an IRS revenue officer and contracting officer (NASA, Department of Justice, and US Customs). Videnieks was appointed by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) on January 12, 2007, for a two-year term expiring December 31, 2008.
Michael R. Wessel
President of The Wessel Group Inc.; former Counsel to Congressman Richard A. Gephardt (D-MO). Currently serves as a member on the board of directors of the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. Reappointed by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) on December 7, 2006, for a fourth term expiring December 31, 2008.