U.S.-Africa Policy
The African continent has long captured international attention, for its cultural and societal diversity, its awe-inspiring landscapes and wildlife as well for the social and political challenges. Over the last 50 years, the continent has emerged more peaceful and stable than at any other time in contemporary history. And for over a decade now, a number of African nations have experienced double-digit or near double-digit economic growth.
Congressmember Bass seeks to transform how we think and engage African nations and to promote the many opportunities to promote trade and economic growth between the U.S. and African nations. A top priority for Congressmember Bass is the African Growth and Opportunities Act or AGOA, our country’s trade preference program with eligible African nations. While conflict and global health challenges remain a concern and must be addressed, Africa nations are eager to engage the United States, in particular, Congress, on trade versus aid opportunities.
Learn about the Africa Policy Breakfast series.
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The tragic kidnapping of Nigerian girls by Boko Haram captured international awareness in May 2014 and inspired a social media campaign #BringBackOurGirls. On social media, traditional media, and in Congress, Congressmember Bass is a vocal advocate for girls' education, anti-trafficking legislation, and international efforts to stop Boko Haram.
Watch Congressmember Bass's interviews about the U.S. response to the missing Nigerian girls above.
Key Foreign Policy Initiatives & Accomplishments
Africa Trade and Investment
Congressmember Karen Bass is an advocate for robust trade and investment-oriented relationships between the U.S. and the nations of Africa with the goal of not only expanding relations, but securing and increasing jobs here at home and in Africa. One of her key priorities is the re-authorization of a strengthened Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) that enables the nations of Africa to export goods to the U.S. duty free. AGOA plays a central role in efforts to expand economic growth on the continent and in so doing provide prime opportunities for U.S. companies to invest in Africa and work/partner with African companies. These initiatives are critical given the role increasingly played by Africa in the global economy. Africa is currently home to 6 out of the 7 fastest growing economies in the world and is viewed by investors from Europe, Malaysia, China, India, Turkey and Brazil as a priority region for investment.
With this in mind, Congressmember Bass places a priority on developing strong economic between the U.S. and Africa. As the Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, she helped lead Congressional efforts in the passage of HR 5986 to extend a special provision (Third Country Fabric Provision) under AGOA.
Mindful of the importance of supporting AGOA, Congressmember is also an original co-sponsor of both the “Increasing American Jobs through Greater Exports to Africa Act of 2013” (HR 1777) , and “Electrifying Africa Act of 2013 (HR 2548) – bills aimed at supporting greater U.S. trade and investment with the continent.
Other Africa-related legislative resolutions sponsored by Congressmember Bass include:
- HRes. 131 Concerning the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the need for international efforts toward long-term peace, stability, and observance of human rights
- HRes. 186 Congratulating the people of Kenya on their commitment to peaceful elections, as demonstrated on March 4, 2013, and calling on Kenyans to come together to continue to implement political, institutional, and accountability reforms envisioned in the Kenyan constitution.
- HRes. 234 Commemorating the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) and commending its successor, the African Union
Watch Congressmember Bass speak about U.S.-Africa Policy:
More on U.S.-Africa Policy
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.
"As the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) wait to see whether President Joseph Kabila, in deference to the people of the DRC and his office, chooses to step down from the presidency on December 19, I join those in the United States, internationally and in the DRC calling on him to complete his term of office on the right side of history by stepping down.
“The release of 21 Chibok young women from the grips of the terrorist group Boko Haram into the custody of the state services department is bittersweet news. The negotiations – brokered by the International Red Cross and the Swiss government – have resulted in the greatest breakthrough since the beginning of this ordeal. However, I join the rest of my colleagues in wanting to see the release of the remaining 197 girls who remain in captivity and are still enduring systematic abuse, rape, and forced labor at the hands of these militants.
By Rep. Karen Bass (D-Calif.)
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressmember Karen Bass (Calf – 37) testified today before the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations in support of Rep. Fredericka Wilson’s H.R. 3833 "to require a regional strategy to address the threat posed by Boko Haram". Below are her remarks as prepared for delivery:
“Mr. Chairman, I rise as one of 44 bipartisan cosponsors in support of H.R. 3833 sponsored by our fellow member, representative Frederica s. Wilson (D-FL – 24).
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.
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.
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."
Washington, D.C. (August 14, 2016) – Congressmember Karen Bass (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, joined a congressional delegation to Lagos from August 12 to 14. The delegation heard from Nigerian technology leaders and young entrepreneurs on August 13 regarding their successes and challenges. Rep. Bass offered remarks on her efforts to expand internet access and digital literacy to enhance economic development, education, and good governance in developing countries.