Mike Rounds

It would seem to me that judgment would suggest that if we really want to help these folks in Africa in the near term that we not do it at the expense of taking care of those programs, which have been appreciated and accepted by them…

I think Prime Minister Abiy, being the duly elected prime minister, deserves our attention and our support.

Do we really have to kind of take a look more at focusing?

Prime Minister Abiy is the duly elected leader. He won the elections.

It is a pleasure to serve as the ranking member here today and to work with you, Mr. Chairman, and your team as we do this hearing on the Biden administration's Fiscal Year 2023 Department of State foreign operations and related programs…

Then would that not be something that we need to address?

Africa is home to the most critically understaffed diplomatic corps in the world.

We have to recognize that there is a great powers competition going on.

I am concerned that U.S. foreign policy toward the Sahel has been challenged to keep pace with the threat or level of need.

I am concerned Africa has not received the U.S. diplomatic focus it deserves.

It is a pleasure to serve as the Ranking Member for this hearing on U.S. policy toward the Sahel.

The United States strongly supports MINUSMA as the leading component of the international community's efforts to address the political and security crises in Mali.

The banking system remains strong overall with robust capital and liquidity and improved asset quality.

I think you laid out as well as anyone has in front of this Committee.

That is kind of scary. Thank you for that. I think that is one of the reasons we have to move forward and talk about appropriately fixing the funding formula for roads across this Country and make it fair to everybody involved.

I was very happy to hear that because I do know that you come from a very large, land-based tribe and you understand some of the challenges that they face.

We must ensure that every dollar goes to projects that benefit our tribes.

That basically shuts down the process for that new home purchaser, doesn't it?

I'd like to thank Senator Rounds and his staff for their hard work on reforming the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Native American Direction Loan program.

This trust responsibility should not impede tribal members' ability to utilize their property rights to achieve their dreams of homeownership.

How long does it take to get that authorization now?

Native people should be able to enter mortgage transactions just as any other citizen in this country.

S. 3381 will go a long way to build on the momentum we are seeing across Indian Country to increase the homeownership rates of Native families.

I firmly agree that vigorous diplomatic action is necessary, and if confirmed as a confirmed chief of mission I would make my top priority engaging with the leadership of the South Sudanese Government to ensure that they understand that…

It is time for the U.S.-South Africa bilateral relationship to mature.