[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 45 (Wednesday, March 15, 2017)]
[House]
[Page H2072]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SOUTH SUDAN
(Ms. BASS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1
minute.)
Ms. BASS. Mr. Speaker, last month, the U.N. declared a famine in
parts of South Sudan. As I rise today, more than 100,000 men, women,
and children there are facing immediate starvation. Arguably, this was
an avoidable crisis.
Internal conflicts have worsened the dire living conditions for the
people of South Sudan, and the government of the Republic of South
Sudan must live up to its promise and ensure access to the most
vulnerable communities by humanitarian organizations. According to
recent estimates, without immediate action, an additional 5.5 million
people living in South Sudan will experience famine.
Although we haven't yet seen the President's budget, it is reported
that there is a 37 percent decrease in foreign aid. This could include
severe cuts to humanitarian funding.
In this regard, I introduced H. Res. 187 in support of the efforts by
USAID and other providers of humanitarian assistance in the
international community. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the
aisle to support this bipartisan resolution, and, by doing so, begin an
end to this crisis.
____________________