Karen Bass: “Let me thank my colleagues--Mr. Smith, Mr. Royce, and Mr. Engel--for their leadership on this resolution. I rise in…”

“Let me thank my colleagues--Mr. Smith, Mr. Royce, and Mr. Engel--for their leadership on this resolution. I rise in support of H. Res. 780, urging respect for the constitution of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in its democratic transition of power in 2016. Simply stated, the resolution calls for the United States' President to use targeted sanctions to address the blatant disrespect for the people in the constitution of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as evidenced by the current President of that country, Joseph Kabila. By supporting this critical resolution, we are helping to support the constitutional rights of the citizens of the DRC. This massive and extraordinarily mineral-rich country is home to approximately 80 million people. Were it not for the consistent absence of democratic and economic good governance, this beautiful country would serve more fittingly as the economic center of gravity for sub- Saharan Africa's Central Africa region, as opposed to being seen at the center of political impunity, increasing human rights concerns, and predictable intraregional tensions. The violence of the last decade has adversely affected not only the economically dynamic and creative culture of the DRC, but arguably affected those countries in the immediate region, such as South Sudan, the Republic of the Congo, the Central African Republic, Rwanda, and Burundi.…”