Press Releases
WASHINGTON – Yesterday, the United States House of Representatives passed the Young African Leaders Initiative Act of 2021, H.R. 965, authored by Rep. Karen Bass (D-CA), Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health and Global Human Rights.
“Already, President Biden has signaled to the world his support for strengthening our partnership with the continent of Africa and the countries there,” said Congressmember Bass. “The Young African Leaders Initiative flourished under President Obama and Vice President Biden. I commend my colleagues for passing this important bill to solidify our embrace of the future of the continent.
WASHINGTON - Today, Rep. Karen Bass (D-CA), Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, issued the following statement:
“I am saddened to learn of the recent passing of President Idriss Déby Itno and express my condolences to his family, and the people of Chad. I stand with the people of Chad, and hope that their rights to free speech, expression, and assembly are recognized, and urge for a peaceful transfer of power.”
WASHINGTON - Today, Reps. Karen Bass (D-CA), Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) and Joseph Morelle introduced legislation to prohibit law enforcement officers from using chemical weapons on minors in the course of policing activities. H.R. 2663 has been referred to the United States House of Representatives Committee on the Judiciary.
“Police brutality must be stopped,” said Rep. Bass. “Congress should do all it can to ensure that the communities that are supposed to be served and protected are not being brutalized and abused. I’m thankful to my colleagues, Congressman Morelle and Congressman Jeffries, for allowing me to join them in this effort."
WASHINGTON – Today, Congressmember Karen Bass (D-CA), issued the following statement following the verdict delivered in the trial against former police officer Derek Chauvin.
“Thirty years ago, Rodney King was brutally beaten by police. The video of the assault shocked the world, but not the jury, who let every single police officer responsible roam free.
WASHINGTON – Today, Rep. Karen Bass (D-CA), Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health and Global Human Rights, and Rep. Young Kim (R-CA) introduced a resolution encouraging reunions of divided Korean-American families.
In 1953, the division of the Korean Peninsula separated more than an estimated 10 million families, including some who are now citizens of the United States and have not been able to see their families in nearly 70 years. Rep.
WASHINGTON - Today, Rep, Karen Bass (D-CA) hosted a telephone town hall to discuss the tax benefits of the American Rescue Plan. Listen below:
WASHINGTON - Today, Rep. Karen Bass (D-CA), Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, issued the following statement marking World Health Day.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for the international community to work together to address the U.S. and the world’s health disadvantages. On this World Health Day, let us acknowledge that humanity’s health is dependent on every human’s complete physical, mental, and social well-being.
WASHINGTON - Today, Rep. Karen Bass (D-CA), Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, issued the following statement:
“I condemn the alleged military coup near the presidential palace just two days before new President Mohmed Bazoum is to take office. This is Niger’s first elected transition in its history since independence from France in 1960, and the perpetrators are trying to impede on the country’s democratic progress.
WASHINGTON - Today, Rep. Karen Bass Introduced the Physician Assistant Higher Education Modernization Act.
"PAs across the nation are providing high-quality healthcare to patients in both our largest cities and in America's most rural areas," said Rep. Bass. "In the next decade the demand for PAs is only going to increase and Congress needs to act today to make sure that we have the qualified health care professionals ready to meet the growing need."
More information about the bill:
WASHINGTON – Today, the House Foreign Affairs Committee voted unanimously to send House Resolution 245 to the House Floor. The resolution calls for continued and robust international collaboration and coordination to fight COVID-19 across Africa and was introduced last week by Congressmember Karen Bass, who chairs the House Foreign Affairs Committee on Africa.
“I want to thank my colleagues for supporting this resolution,” said Rep. Karen Bass. “We all want this pandemic to be over but this simply cannot happen unless we act in collaboration and coordination to fight COVID-19 throughout the world. Renewed, strategic, respectful, and focused approach to U.S. policy toward Africa will lay the foundation for long-term post-COVID-19 recovery.