Rep. Bass, CBC Chairman, Co-Chairs of the CBC Task Force on Foreign Affairs and National Security Issue Joint Statement on Niger

Source: Karen Bass (D-CA, 37th)

Washington, D.C. - October 25, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- The Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), Congressman Cedric L. Richmond (D-LA-02), and the Co-Chairs of the CBC Task Force on Foreign Affairs and National Security, Congresswoman Karen Bass (D-CA-37) and Congressman Marc Veasey (D-TX-33), issued the following joint statement in response to the recent attacks in Niger.
“The early October attack that left four American service members dead in Niger has raised a number of important questions about exactly what happened, highlighted growing counterterrorism efforts across the continent, and emphasized the need for the Administration to reveal its policy toward Africa.

“During Monday’s press conference, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Joseph Dunford, confirmed that the U.S. has had up to 800 military officials in Niger, the largest American force anywhere in sub-Saharan Africa, and divulged that there are some 6,000 U.S. troops across the continent. This revelation causes deep concern for the Congressional Black Caucus.

“The U.S. has made great gains in Africa across several administrations. These gains have included developing the next generation of leaders; investing in infrastructure projects through the Millennial Challenge Corporation (MCC); improving trade relations through the African Growth and Opportunity Act and entrepreneurship programs; addressing a variety of health concerns through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and the President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI); strengthening democratic institutions; and supporting a variety of peace and security initiatives.

“Our policy toward Africa should be multidimensional and robust, and should utilize all of our foreign policy tools, including diplomacy and development, to their maximum capacity. When defense and diplomacy work in tandem, we will be successful in aiding the second largest continent in the world.

“We call for a full investigation into the events that led to the tragic loss of four soldiers in Niger and a briefing on this Administration’s policy toward Africa."

Blumenthal Calls for Transparency, Accountability Regarding US Soldier Deaths in Niger

Source: Senator Richard Blumenthal - (D - CT)

Washington, D.C. - October 20, 2017 - (The Ponder News) -- U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, called for a full hearing of the Committee on the deaths of four American soldiers killed in Niger, and swift completion of a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances that led to this tragedy.

“In the days since four Americans were killed in Niger, we have no clear answers about what happened and why their lives were lost. Nearly two weeks of delay and non-disclosure is cause for very grave concern. The Senate Armed Services Committee needs to hear directly from those in charge – including U.S. Africa Command and U.S. Special Operations Command – about what decisions led to this tragic outcome. I fully support all efforts Chairman McCain and Ranking Member Reed will take to ensure that our Committee is fully engaged in its oversight responsibilities including, if necessary, subpoenas. Meanwhile, the Administration must prioritize a comprehensive investigation,” said Blumenthal.

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Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson Stands By Account of President Trump’s Condolence Call to the Widow of Sgt. La David Johnson

Washington, D.C. - October 18, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson issued the following statement in response to White House allegations regarding her account of President Donald Trump’s call with the widow of Sgt. La David Johnson:

“Despite President Trump’s suggestion that I have recanted my statement or misstated what he said, I stand firmly by my original account of his conversation with Myeshia Johnson, the widow of Sgt. La David Johnson. Moreover, this account has been confirmed by family members who also witnessed Mr. Trump’s incredible lack of compassion and sensitivity.

“The Johnson family and the families of the three other soldiers who tragically lost their lives in the Niger ambush are experiencing what I am certain must feel like an unbearable loss. Rather than engage in a petty war of words with Mr. Trump, it is so much more important to embrace and support the families and honor these fallen heroes.

“This is personal for me, not political. Sgt. Johnson was a member of my community and of the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project that I founded to help boys of color build successful futures. He was killed while on a mission to provide training and security assistance to West African armed forces battling vicious insurgents like Boko Haram, the group whose defeat I’ve been fighting for since it abducted nearly 300 Nigerian schoolgirls more than three years ago.

“The loved ones Sgt. Johnson leaves behind are my constituents and my job now is to do all that I can to help them heal. I’ll save the bully pulpit for the necessary task of uncovering the circumstances surrounding the ambush and working to help ensure that our soldiers have all of the resources and support that they need while putting their lives on the line to keep others safe.”

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