Karen Bass actually said...

"the ranks of the Foreign Service can be dramatically reduced without harming the national interests of the United States is incorrect."

"if such draconian cuts to the Department of State and USAID are allowed to proceed, then we will abdicate our position of principled partnership with African governments."

"decreasing the number of diplomats available to serve in U.S. Embassies abroad... will decrease our ability to shape events and advance our interests on the continent."

"one of the things that I have appreciated over the last couple of years in this committee is legislation like you mentioned, Electrify Africa, and also Feed the Future, which I believe begins to chang..."