Barbara Lee Raises Questions on Cuba, Iraq and Tristan Anderson during Foreign Affairs, Appropriations Committee Hearings with Secretary Clinton
For Immediate Release
April 23, 2009
Contact: Nicole Y. Williams
(202) 225-2661
Washington, D.C. – This week, both the full House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations held hearings to receive testimony from Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on foreign affairs policy and funding priorities of the Obama Administration.
“The challenges faced by our nation are many, and never more so from beyond our borders. Our nation is currently embroiled in two wars that have already cost nearly 5,000 American lives and more than $800 billion in American treasure,” said Congresswoman Lee.
“The genocide in Sudan continues unabated amidst worsening humanitarian and security conditions. And the looming threat of global climate change demands urgent action by the United States to work in concert with the international community to make immediate and significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.
“Compounding these issues is a global financial crisis that threatens the economic stability and livelihood of millions of vulnerable individuals around the globe, while curtailing the ability of many nations to provide basic health and education services at a time when people need them most.”
During the hearings with Secretary Clinton, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) discussed a wide range of issues including the Cuban embargo, the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan and the proposed war supplemental, the AIDS pandemic, lack of minority hiring, contracting and procurement at the State Department and Tristan Anderson a constituent of the 9th Congressional District of California who was critically injured after being stuck by a tear gas canister fired by Israeli troops in the Village of Ni’lin.
“We certainly have a lot of work to do and I look forward to working with Secretary Clinton and the Obama Administration to continue to restore the standing of the United States abroad and to implement a smarter and more enlightened foreign policy for the 21st century,” said Congresswoman Lee.
Rep. Lee’s complete line of questioning for Secretary Clinton was submitted for the record. For a full transcript of the hearing please visit the website for the Committee on Foreign Affairs at http://foreignaffairs.house.gov/.
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