Bill Summary
This resolution recognizes the historical and strategic importance of the relationship between the United States and Kenya, which was established in 1964 after Kenya gained its independence. It acknowledges the strong and enduring partnership between the two countries and highlights the expansion of their bilateral engagement, particularly after Kenya's 2002 general elections. The resolution also recognizes Kenya's steps towards bolstering its democratic institutions and its role as a regional hub for trade and finance, as well as a cornerstone of stability and prosperity in East Africa. It outlines the 5 pillars of engagement between the two countries, including economic prosperity, defense cooperation, and public health cooperation. The resolution also mentions the ongoing negotiations for a free trade agreement and the Strategic Trade and Investment Partnership, as well as the cooperation between the United States and Kenya in addressing security and counterterrorism concerns. It acknowledges Kenya's efforts to improve its business environment and encourages continued cooperation in promoting shared democratic values and respect for human rights. The resolution also highlights the contributions of the Kenyan-American community to the culture and economy of the United States and calls for strengthening and deepening ties between the two countries for the benefit of both citizens.
Possible Impacts
1. The legislation highlights the economic partnership between the United States and Kenya, potentially leading to increased trade and investment opportunities for both countries. This could affect individuals by creating new jobs, stimulating economic growth, and providing access to new markets for businesses.
2. The resolution acknowledges the role of Kenya in regional security and encourages continued cooperation between the two countries in promoting shared democratic values and respect for human rights. This could affect individuals by promoting peace and stability in the region, potentially improving their safety and security.
3. The legislation mentions the strong people-to-people ties between the United States and Kenya and the contributions of the Kenyan diaspora community to the United States. This could affect individuals by highlighting the importance of diversity and cultural exchange, promoting understanding and acceptance between different communities.
[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1254 Introduced in House (IH)]
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118th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. RES. 1254
Recognizing the strategic importance of Kenya to the United States and
celebrating the 60-year anniversary of United States-Kenya relations.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
May 23, 2024
Mrs. Cherfilus-McCormick (for herself, Mr. James, Mr. Meeks, Ms.
Jacobs, Mr. Buchanan, Mr. Jackson of Illinois, and Mrs. Kim of
California) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to
the Committee on Foreign Affairs
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Recognizing the strategic importance of Kenya to the United States and
celebrating the 60-year anniversary of United States-Kenya relations.
Whereas the United States and Kenya established diplomatic relations on May 23,
1964, after Kenya gained independence in 1963, and have since developed
a strong and enduring bilateral partnership;
Whereas bilateral engagement between the United States and Kenya expanded after
Kenya's historic 2002 general elections, when a coalition of opposition
parties won the elections, ending decades of one-party dominance;
Whereas Kenya took steps to bolster its democratic institutions in 2010 in the
wake of the devastating 2007-2008 postelection violence by adopting a
transformative new constitution with a bill of rights and new checks and
balances, including a more deliberate separation of government powers
and the devolution of certain authorities to new county governments;
Whereas Kenya has become one of sub-Saharan Africa's largest economies, a
regional hub for transportation and finance, and a cornerstone of
stability and prosperity in East Africa;
Whereas, in August 2018, the United States and Kenya formally elevated their
relationship to a strategic partnership and established a corresponding
bilateral strategic dialogue, prioritizing 5 pillars of engagement,
including--
(1) economic prosperity, trade, and investment;
(2) defense cooperation;
(3) democracy, governance, and civilian security;
(4) multilateral and regional issues; and
(5) public health cooperation;
Whereas the United States is a major trading partner for Kenya, which is a
leading beneficiary of preferential trade benefits under the African
Growth and Opportunity Act and a participant in the Prosper Africa
initiative;
Whereas the United States and Kenya entered bilateral negotiations on a future
free trade agreement on July 8, 2020;
Whereas, on July 14, 2022, the United States and Kenya launched Strategic Trade
and Investment Partnership negotiations to increase bilateral trade and
investment cooperation;
Whereas Kenya's dynamic and growing market-based economy offers increased
economic opportunities for public and private partnerships that advance
United States strategic and economic interests;
Whereas Kenya is at the forefront of improving environmental resilience and is a
top tourism destination known for its biodiversity and conservation
efforts;
Whereas, on September 25, 2023, the United States and Kenya signed a 5-year
Framework for Defense Cooperation to guide mutual defense cooperation,
enhance interoperability, and advance shared security interests;
Whereas military-to-military ties between the United States and Kenya have
deepened through coordinating and participating in bilateral and
multilateral military exercises, and Kenya hosting United States forces
at Manda Bay;
Whereas the United States and Kenya have worked together to address shared
security and counterterrorism concerns in Kenya and the broader region,
including in Somalia, where Kenya has contributed forces for over a
decade to counter al-Shabaab and support Somalia through the African
Union mission;
Whereas Kenya is a key strategic partner in responding to Iranian-backed Houthi
attacks against vessels in the Red Sea through its participation in
Operation Prosperity Guardian;
Whereas, in 2011, Kenya reestablished the Kenya National Commission on Human
Rights as an autonomous institution to monitor government compliance
with internationally-recognized human rights and investigate alleged
human rights violations;
Whereas Kenya has a flourishing civil society that is supported through
constitutional guarantees and a new, more predictable regulatory
environment under the Public Benefits Organization Act, which came into
effect on May 11, 2024;
Whereas Kenya plays a critical role in supporting a strong force for regional
cooperation and integration as a key member of the East African
Community;
Whereas Kenya has volunteered to mediate multiple regional conflicts;
Whereas Kenya has been a leading African voice in multilateral forums, including
during its 2021-2022 term on the United Nations Security Council,
against Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine, reaffirming its respect
for Ukraine's territorial integrity and standing in defense of
multilateralism;
Whereas the United States and Kenya have a long history of partnering to address
critical public health crises, including through the President's
Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief;
Whereas the United States and Kenya have developed strong people-to-people ties
as the foundation for deeper cooperation, with over 200 Kenyans
participating in United States Government-sponsored exchange programs
annually and over 250,000 Americans visiting Kenya on average annually;
and
Whereas the diverse Kenyan-American community has made critical contributions to
the culture and economy of the United States and forms one of the
strongest bonds linking these two countries together: Now, therefore, be
it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) celebrates 60 years of diplomatic relations between the
United States and Kenya;
(2) reaffirms the strong partnership between the United
States and Kenya, rooted in a shared commitment to upholding
peace, security, and prosperity;
(3) recognizes Kenya's role in regional security, including
maritime security, and its efforts to foster stability in the
Horn of Africa and East Africa;
(4) calls for continued cooperation between the United
States and Kenya in promoting, strengthening, and defending
shared democratic values and respect for human rights;
(5) encourages the United States and Kenya to continue to
expand trade and economic cooperation;
(6) encourages Kenya's efforts to improve its business
environment, domestic economic reforms, anticorruption
measures, and counter money laundering efforts;
(7) commits to strengthening and deepening diplomatic,
economic, commercial, security, and people-to-people ties
between the United States and Kenya;
(8) encourages the Department of State to look at all
available tools to help address Kenya's debt crisis and counter
China's economic coercion;
(9) appreciates the contributions of the Kenyan diaspora
community to the United States; and
(10) acknowledges the potential of the bilateral
relationship to bring significant benefit to the citizens of
both countries and to addressing security, economic, and
environmental challenges across the region and beyond.
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