Rep. Lois Frankel Slams GOP Amendment on 'Gulf of America' and Other Provisions

Amendment on African Development Funds

• 🌍 Rep. Lois Frankel proposed an amendment to allocate no less than 15% of economic development funds to programs in Africa.
• 💡 The amendment highlights Africa's projected population growth, booming cities, thriving startups, and innovation in mobile banking and energy.
• 📈 By 2030, Africa's consumer market is expected to reach $2.5 trillion, with significant transformations already visible in countries like Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, and Egypt.
• ⚠️ Frankel warns that China is heavily investing in African infrastructure and influence, risking the U.S. being left behind.
• 🤝 Strategic U.S. engagement in Africa is framed as essential for global safety, stability, prosperity, and protecting shared futures, including resilient supply chains and democratic values.

Opposition to GOP Omnibus Amendment

• 🗺️ Rep. Frankel strongly opposed a GOP omnibus amendment, criticizing its inclusion of unrelated provisions like dictating names on maps (e.g., 'Gulf of America') and defining marriage.
• 🚫 She argued these provisions distract from critical global challenges like great power competition, diseases, and climate change.
• 💰 The amendment also included a provision regarding 'pocket rescission,' which Frankel deemed shameful and an assault on Congress's constitutional power of the purse.

Concerns Over Executive Power and Appropriations

• ⚖️ Ranking Member DeLauro and Rep. McCullum voiced strong opposition to striking Section 7065, which addresses unlawful impoundment and executive overreach.
• 📜 They argued that the 'pocket rescission' maneuver by the OMB director is an unlawful attempt to cancel appropriations and undermines Congress's constitutional power.
• 🏛️ The debate centered on maintaining the separation of powers and ensuring Congress remains central to appropriations decisions.
• 🇺🇸 Several members expressed dismay over the 'Gulf of America' provision, viewing it as a lack of self-respect and an unnecessary, unilateral renaming of geographical features.
• 🚫 The amendment, which included provisions on UN funding, executive orders, religious belief, international commissions, and countering PRC threats, was ultimately adopted despite significant opposition.