Press Releases
WASHINGTON – Today, Congressmember Karen Bass (D-CA), co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth, introduced the bipartisan Foster Youth Dental Act of 2020, which will strengthen dental coverage under the Medicaid program for foster youth by increasing eligibility, providing incentives for dental providers, enhancing outreach efforts for enrollment, and protecting existing coverage for foster youth.
Youth enrolled in Medicaid/CHIP have access to oral health care but the utilization of oral care services varies by state and many foster youth fall through the cracks of care because oral health care is often treated as optional coverage. Tooth decay is the most common chronic condition among US children.
WASHINGTON - Today, Rep. Karen Bass (D-CA), Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, issued the following statement regarding the arrest of Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita and Prime Minister Boubou Cissé.
"I urge those responsible for the undemocratic seizure of power to return the country to a constitutional government. I recognize that the people of Mali have been in the streets protesting for months and there is a general sense of anger and frustration over the slow pace of political change and continuing insecurity throughout the country.
WASHINGTON - Today, Rep. Karen Bass (D-CA), Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, issued the following statement in response to the ongoing violence in Cameroon.
"This week, a video of alleged separatists in Cameroon brutally killing a woman has been circulating widely. While this video has not been verified, it does highlight the ongoing insecurity and violence in the predominantly Anglophone Northwest and Southwest Regions of Cameroon. Just last week, a Cameroonian humanitarian worker was killed in the Northwest Region.
WASHINGTON - Today, Rep. Bass, Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, issued the following statement on the Arrests of Journalist Hopewell Chin’ono and Opposition Party Leader Jacob Ngarivhume in Zimbabwe
"I call on the Government of Zimbabwe to release journalist Hopewell Chin’ono and Jacob Ngarivhume, leader of the opposition party Transform Zimbabwe. The Government of Zimbabwe has continuously detained and arrested individuals who oppose their economic and political views, and this is a direct violation of their right to freedom of press, speech, and assembly.
WASHINGTON - Today, Congressmember Karen Bass (D-Calif.), Chair of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, along with Congresswoman Katherine Clark (D-MA), Vice-Chair of the Democratic Caucus, Congressman Guy Reschenthaler (R-PA) and Congresswoman Debbie Lesko (R-AZ), introduced the Protecting the Health and Wellness of Babies and Pregnant Women in Custody Act to provide a national standard of care to address pregnancy-related needs of incarcerated women during pregnancy, labor, delivery and postpartum periods.
“Our prison system was not created with women in mind and as a result continually fails to provide basic necessities to tens of thousands of individuals who are incarcerated every single day,” said Congressmember Bass. “Especially amid a pandemic, it is incumbent upon Congress to ensure that we are not inadvertently matching petty crimes with death sentences.
WASHINGTON – Today, Congressmember Karen Bass (D-CA), Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, introduced the Represent America Abroad Act of 2020 to ensure that the U.S. Foreign Service reflects the rich composition of the American citizenry. The legislation establishes a program to identify, attract and welcome diverse mid-career professionals into the Foreign Service.
The bill is being cosponsored by Congresswoman Judy Chu (D-CA), Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus; Congressman Joaquin Castro (D-TX), Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus as well as the Vice-Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee; and Congresswoman Deb Haaland (D-NM), Co-Chair of the Congressional Native American Caucus.
WASHINGTON - Today, Rep. Karen Bass (D-CA), Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, issued the following statement regarding the Trump administration's plan to withdraw from the World Health Organization.
"The move to withdraw from the World Health Organization in the midst of a pandemic highlights this administration’s gross mismanagement of this global health emergency and a complete abdication of international responsibility and leadership.
WASHINGTON - Today, Rep. Karen Bass (D-CA), Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, issued the following statement regarding recent violence in Ethiopia.
"I would like to extend my condolences to the family of Ethiopian singer and activist Hachalu Hundessa, and other victims of the violence that ensued following his death. All Ethiopian voices must be heard, and people must be given the right to assemble peacefully.
WASHINGTON - Today, Rep. Karen Bass (D-CA), Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa issued the following statement:
"I would like to congratulate President Lazarus Chakwera on winning the rerun of the historic election in Malawi. The repeat of this election demonstrated that the voice of the people can be heard and that African courts have the capacity to tackle ballot fraud and restrain presidential power. Malawians came together through peaceful protests to urge that Malawi must be for all citizens, regar
WASHINGTON - Today, Rep. Karen Bass (D-CA), Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, issued the following statement.
"I urge the Government of Malawi and the opposition party to stay committed to a credible, fair, and peaceful electoral process as Malawians recast their vote in the presidential election.