As the chairman of the Africa subcommittee, I've made ending child slave labor a top priority.

This is a matter of morality and critical importance regardless of where a child happens to be born.

We will never divorce our foreign policy from human rights.

But the American people have choice as well, and if communities around the world expect the American taxpayer to help, then there should be some sort of mutual benefit to include respect for the rule of law, respect for democracy, and of course respect for the safety and security of America and our interests abroad.

The purpose of this hearing is to analyze the strategic aims in Africa of the Russian Federation and its proxies.

The fallacy of these claims is clear, it is on display as they hold this forum just 1 week after bringing the Black Sea Grain Initiative to an end.

If we agree that Russia and their proxies are bad choices, I do not believe that we should allow it to be their only choice.

The finger waving foreign policy is doing no one any good. We need more engagement, not isolation.

Specifically with South Africa, the Putin visit with the Lady R situation, and also military exercises on the anniversary of the Ukraine invasion are very problematic.

African nations have choices, as we were just discussing South Africa, South Africans have choices, and we will always respect the sovereignty.

I would remind anybody here, or listening abroad that this is a hearing on the Russian Federation and its proxies.