John James

I demand a recorded vote. The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentleman from South Carolina will be postponed. Amendment No. 52 Offered by Mr. Ogles The Acting CHAIR. It…

I think our foreign policy has to be more nimble in being able to adapt to these new realities.

The primary domestic priority for South African governments should be I believe the betterment of the lives of its people.

The United States in supporting the reform of the Security Council and also the reform of the United Nations can go a long way.

I share your concerns about propelling an agenda upon South Africa that fits our interests our needs but doesn't meet their needs.

I think this is a huge thing that needs to be corrected.

Perception is reality in many of these areas.

South Africa has one of the world's most expensive social grant systems, the size of which is increasingly growing.

There is much affection for our history with the United States. There is an embrace of the vibrancy of the United States democracy.

We must not exaggerate Russia's influence on South Africa and other African nations, but it is worth reflecting on how the United States treats its partners.

The United States must demonstrate respect for historical wounds and the sovereignty that matters so greatly to its African counterparts.

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

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

I seem to think that the administration would care more about these kids if they weren't Black and Brown. Maybe they can prove it to us.

I thank the gentleman from Minnesota for his leadership on this matter, as well as his remarks, and I reserve the balance of my time.

I have no more speakers. I am prepared to close. I reserve the balance of my time.

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.

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…

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.

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

We will never divorce our foreign policy from human rights.

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.

Simply put, Russia is a destabilizing force in Africa that aspires to create power vacuums and exploit African countries in order to weaken U.S. and western influence.

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.