Who is he?
Matt Salmon is a Republican who has represented Arizona’s fifth district in the U.S. House of Representatives since November 2012. Most recently, he led the Committee on Foreign Affairs’ Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere. Salmon previously served in the House from 1995 to 2001, during which time he sat on the Committee on International Relations and led multiple U.S. delegations to China. Salmon’s first exposure to Asia came as a missionary in Taiwan. After his first three terms in the House, Salmon ran unsuccessfully for governor of Arizona and served as chairperson of the Arizona Republican Party.
Representative Matt Salmon. Source: U.S. Government Work.
Why is he in the news?
Ed Royce, chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, on December 16 appointed Matt Salmon to lead the committee’s Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific in the 2015-2016 Congress. He replaces fellow Republican Steve Chabot.
What can we expect from him?
Salmon has proven himself a valuable asset in dealing with China in the past. He speaks fluent Mandarin and was partially responsible for securing the release of Chinese historian Song Yongyi from prison in 2000. Salmon’s voice will be critical to President Barack Obama’s efforts to prove the U.S. rebalance to Asia remains alive and well during the last two years of his administration.
