Karen Bass

While Rwanda is geographically a small nation, its condition and role in the stability of the Great Lakes region is critical.

I don't think certainly anybody in this room feels that there is not a ton of problems that have to be dealt with in Rwanda.

That, I think, is extremely alarming because, as one of my colleagues just said, wasn't that similar to where we were just before 1994, when there was no space and no ability to engage in dialog?

Economic growth has been facilitated, as Congresswoman Bass highlighted, by a regulatory environment that supports business and entrepreneurship in line with the government's Vision 2020.

I worry about this specific area because I know in the proposed cuts, if I am not mistaken, this takes a major hit.

I do think that women around the world do look at that number and think that it is pretty impressive.

I wanted to specifically ask if that is going to be the case, if the Special Envoy will be eliminated for Sudan and, in particular, South Sudan, considering the instability in that nation?

I really appreciated Secretary Tillerson's statement--and I appreciate the timing that he made the statement as well--the State Department's commitment to diversity.

I was there as an observer.

So what concern that some of us have begun to have on the Hill is, one, there are the proposed cuts...

commitment without resources is a little shallow.

The upcoming elections mark an important moment for the country because they are expected to lead to the country's first electoral transfer of power.

The economy has drastically improved and averaged more than 7 percent annual growth.

I mean... Money that is already there... is it getting out of the door or is it being held back...

I always think it is important in the United States that we begin to look at the continent of Africa differently and as opposed to a land of problems but a land of opportunities.

I am hopeful that we will come to a resolution around DACA and I am hopeful that we will come to a resolution around TPS.

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair, and especially for this timely hearing, considering that we are a few weeks away from an election in Liberia.

During her 12 years of the presidency, a decade of sanctions was lifted and deemed no longer necessary.

I remember when President Johnson Sirleaf came to the United States and to the House many times when Power Africa was established.

I think it is important to note that because we often focus on those countries that don't have a peaceful transition.

We all applaud and acknowledge her hard work which has also been recognized by the international community, most notably when she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

So on October 10th we know that Liberians will select a new President, Vice President, and Members of their House.

I think as our country begins to reconcile with our history, we need to acknowledge that the Americans that went over to Liberia were enslaved African Americans.

It was such an international event when she became the first female President on the continent of Africa.

Money that is already there... is it getting out of the door or is it being held back...