Ami Bera

we want to give Afghanistan the best possibility of success and it is not going to be easy.

American ingenuity, American innovation, American know-how and inspiration can do anything.

This wasn't a Democratic or a Republican issue. This was an American challenge and an American opportunity.

This was an accomplishment for all of humankind.

We can solve all of these challenges if we put that issue out there.

American institutions of Congress actually worked together. That in and of itself is a miracle.

It is an honor each day to work with our colleagues and to support what they do around the world.

I appreciate USAID operates in a pretty complex and demanding environment, and you really do respond to every humanitarian and development requirements.

we will not get the results in terms of empowering women if they do not address the issue of pregnancy spacing

What are some things that Congress could do to simplify these authorities and mechanisms?

The foundation of any real successful organization always starts with the right people and making sure they are equipped with the right resources and ability to do their jobs effectively.

Paid family leave for Federal employees.

Congress in its oversight capacity is a partner with the Administration, making sure that, as we are authorizing and appropriating funds, that we are giving the full attention to the personnel, the full resources to those folks, and those…

I understand the importance of taking a look at, if there are positions that chronically are not filled; any organization is certainly within its right to take a look and say, well, does this position really need to exist?

I would ask you or your staff to certainly meet with my staff, and we can try to see what we can do to empower USAID.

I am glad you touched on something that is in the NDAA bill that we will be voting on, I imagine, tomorrow.

I am really deeply concerned about the drop in morale at State Department.

We are proud of the men and women around the world that serve us in our diplomatic corps, at our embassies, in our development work around the world, and these are patriotic Americans.

I do have some concerns about the Fiscal Year 2020 budget request, which includes the 8-percent cut in diplomatic programs account and an 18-percent cut to the embassy security account.

Ambassador Perez, can I get your commitment from you to perhaps provide my staff with that cable in full so we can take a look at it as well?

they will not get the results in terms of empowering women if they do not address the issue of pregnancy spacing

Well, again, the NDAA that we will be voting on does have paid family leave for Federal employees.

I would still push for that 123 Agreement.

This Wednesday, June 26, marks the 1-year anniversary of the Supreme Court upholding President Trump's travel ban which suspended the issuance of immigrant and nonimmigrant visas to applicants from five Muslim-majority countries: Iran…

I have an amendment at the desk. The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment. The text of the amendment is as follows: Page 64, line 18, after the dollar amount, insert ``(reduced by $1)''. Page 64, line 18, after the dollar…