WASHINGTON, D.C. — Representative Chrissy Houlahan recently returned from a Congressional Delegation trip to the Horn of Africa with a renewed sense of urgency regarding national security, and a call for Congress to take immediate action on several fronts.
Houlahan, a Democrat serving Pennsylvania’s Sixth Congressional District, visited Djibouti, Kenya, and Somalia from February 16 to 23, 2024, as part of a small delegation from the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. During the trip, she also represented the House Armed Services Committee, meeting with troops, many of whom were from the Pennsylvania Army National Guard.
Expressing gratitude for the service members’ efforts under challenging conditions, Houlahan stressed the importance of their role in ensuring collective security and freedoms at home. She pledged to work towards improving the lives of service members and their families, drawing from her experiences and discussions during the visit.
“I have more than a few action items to follow up on now that I’m home,” Houlahan said, referring to the upcoming work on the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). As part of the House Armed Services Committee’s military Quality of Life Panel, she aims to leverage her insights from the trip to enhance the well-being of those serving in the military.
Houlahan’s visit to East Africa offered firsthand exposure to the threats faced by the U.S. and its allies. This experience underscored the need for Congress to renew and reauthorize FISA Section 702 provisions. These provisions facilitate intelligence collection from non-U.S. persons to prevent terrorist activities.
She emphasized, “The threats we face are real. And FISA Section 702 is vital to understanding and addressing them.” Houlahan urged Speaker Johnson to allow a full floor vote on the bill, which has already moved through the House Intelligence and Judiciary Committees.
The influence of China and Russia in Africa was another notable observation from Houlahan’s trip. She pointed to infrastructure development by China in Kenya and potential Russian influence in Somalia as signs of a shifting geopolitical landscape.
“The possibility of the U.S. lagging in the important relationships we have in Africa is real,” she warned, emphasizing the need for the U.S. to be a steadfast and trustworthy partner.
Houlahan voiced concerns about the U.S.’s inconsistent commitments to allies like Ukraine and Israel, which she noted were observed by both existing and potential African partners, as well as adversaries. She urged for immediate action and leadership from America, including continued support to allies in Europe and the Middle East, and called out Speaker Johnson for delays in funding national security priorities.
Addressing the complexity of global interconnections, Houlahan expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve her constituents and provide Congressional oversight. She emphasized the importance of crafting legislative responses based on firsthand experiences, reaffirming her commitment to serving her community, Commonwealth, and country.
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