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Congresswoman Karen Bass

Representing the 37th District of California

Foreign Policy

Congressmember Karen Bass and her Congressional colleagues visited the United Nations and met with Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

Congressmember Karen Bass is honored to serve on the House Foreign Affairs Committee as Ranking Member (or lead Democrat) on the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Human Rights, and International Organizations.

Congressmember Bass firmly believes that a strong U.S. foreign policy is rooted in three important and fundamental pillars: diplomacy, development, and defense. These pillars provide the basis for our nation’s ability to wisely and effectively leverage U.S. resources to address global challenges including food insecurity, the burden of endemic and epidemic disease and, war and conflict from around the world.

Watch Congressmember Bass's interviews about foreign policy issues in the news.

U.S.-led economic development and trade promotion activities help expand markets and ensure greater peace and stability in foreign nations and importantly empower individuals and communities through job creation and opportunities for underrepresented populations including women and girls. U.S. foreign engagement has created jobs and employment opportunities not only overseas but here in the United States.

As our government seeks opportunities to engage the U.S. private sector in business opportunities abroad, we do so knowing that both public and private sectors have important roles to play in a most justice, stable and peaceful world.

Learn more about Congressmember Bass's work on U.S.-Africa Policy.

More on Foreign Policy

January 9, 2017 Press Release

Last Saturday, Rep. Karen Bass (D- Calif.) represented President Barack Obama and the United States as part of a Presidential Delegation to Ghana to attend the Inauguration of His Excellency Nana Akufo-Addo as the next president of the African country. Rep. Bass joined Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Linda Thomas-Greenfield and the U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Ghana Robert Jackson.

January 6, 2017 Press Release

Washington, D.C. – Today, Rep. Karen Bass (D – Calif.) cosponsored legislation that would create a 12-member, bipartisan, independent commission empowered to interview witnesses, obtain documents, issue subpoenas, and receive public testimony to examine attempts by the Russian government and others to use electronic means to influence, interfere with, or sow distrust in this year’s U.S. elections. 

November 28, 2016 Press Release

As Cuba begins nine days of  mourning, I wish to express my condolences to the Cuban people and the family of Fidel Castro. The passing of the Comandante en Jefe is a great loss to the people of Cuba. I hope together, our two nations will continue on the new path of support and collaboration with one another, and continue in the new direction of diplomacy.   

October 27, 2016 Press Release

“Yesterday’s abstention  is yet another great indication that the significant changes to the U.S. policy as it relates to Cuba,  to promote more effective change in Cuba, is continuing to make great strides in the right direction. Diplomatic relations between our two countries is better than it has ever been. And after years of a policy of isolation, yesterday's action marks another step towards ending more than 55 years of U.S. hostility towards Cuba. But with this great progress comes more work to be done.

September 15, 2016 Press Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressmember Karen Bass (D-Calif.) held a press conference regarding the Lost Boys and Girls Rebuilding Infrastructure to Sustain Enduring Peace in South Sudan Act (Lost Boys and Girls RISE Act) of 2016. This legislation, introduced Tuesday, September 13th, will create a fellowship program for Lost Boys and Lost Girls who wish to take their acquired experience in the United States back to South Sudan. In addition to the press conference, members of the Lost Boys and Girls, now men and women, met with Members of Congress, including Rep.

September 9, 2016 Press Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Late Wednesday, Rep. Karen Bass (D-Calf.), ranking Member of the House Africa Subcommittee, applauded the passage of the AGOA Enhancement Act, which passed by a unanimous voice vote on the House Floor. The bill, introduced by House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce (R-Calif.), to make the African Growth and Opportunity Act more effective by directing the President to establish a website with information regarding AGOA and by encouraging embassies in chosen countries promote export opportunities to the United States.

September 6, 2016 Press Release

Today, Congressmember Karen Bass issued the following statement concerning the fire in the Qilinti Prison in Ethiopia:

"I extend my sincere condolences to the people of Ethiopia, specifically the families of all who died in the fire at the Qilinto Prison. I also call on the Government of Ethiopia to treat all protesters and prisoners in a humane fashion and to investigate this incident in a thorough and transparent manner, sharing the results of the investigation with the Ethiopian public."

September 1, 2016 In The News

I am pleased to announce that 12 individuals from California’s 37th Congressional District have received prestigious Fulbright awards during the 2015-2016 academic year.

August 26, 2016 Event

Rep. Bass will host a forum, featuring guest speakers,
to discuss federal, state and local resources available
to assist businesses in finding and expanding
opportunities for trade and investment with African
businesses and others.