Issue Position: Sudan and South Sudan

Issue Position

In 2002 the Boston Anti-Slavery Group brought a victim of slavery from Sudan into Mike's office. Upon hearing his story, Mike was compelled to act and brought a resolution condemning slavery in Sudan to the floor, where it passed unanimously on July 16, 2003.

In 2004, aid workers and activists -- who had recently returned from the Darfur region in western Sudan -- came to Mike with stories of mass atrocity. He worked with his colleagues to ensure that Congress declared the actions of the Sudanese government to be genocide on July 22, 2004, and the Bush Administration followed on September 9, 2004. While there was hope this declaration would lead to action bringing relief to the victims of Darfur, it was not forthcoming from the Bush Administration.

In October 2005, Mike cofounded the Congressional Caucus on Sudan to bring attention to the genocide, and to rally other Members of Congress.

In 2006, after it was clear that the State Department had not requested enough funding for the African Union peacekeeping mission, Mike offered an amendment to an emergency spending bill to increase their budget by $50 million. Mike worked with colleagues across the aisle, and secured these additional funds.
When Mike learned from humanitarian organizations that the Sudanese government was blocking aid workers' permits and visas in December 2007, he wrote to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice asking her to raise the issue and press Sudan for proper humanitarian access.
In the lead up to the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, Mike introduced a resolution calling on the President not to attend the Opening Ceremony, as a show of protest against China's cooperation with the Sudanese government.
In the 110th Congress, Mike introduced a resolution calling on the President to encourage the international community to donate much-needed resources to UNAMID, including essential helicopter assets.
In March of 2009, the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Sudanese President Omar al Bashir, to which Bashir responded by kicking 16 humanitarian relief organizations out of Darfur. Mike took the lead in writing to three key global players -- China, the African Union, and the Arab League -- to urge international support and pressure for the re-entry of expelled aid groups. The letters garnered over 75 cosigners.
As part of the FY2010 appropriations process, Mike worked with Rep. Jim Moran (D-VA) to secure U.S. assistance to Southern Sudan to strengthen the judiciary and local governance.
In July of 2011, Mike welcomed the declaration of independence of South Sudan, the world's newest country. He and the Sudan Caucus were vocal advocates of adherence to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement that gave the South Sudanese a referendum on independence.
In 2011, Mike led 62 Members of Congress in sending a letter to President Obama, urging him to address the root cause of conflict in Sudan with a comprehensive policy to combat marginalization of Sudan's peripheries. In the letter, Mike also called for greater U.S. action to end the humanitarian crisis in Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile states.
In late 2013 violence broke out again in South Sudan, threatening fragile peace and putting countless lives in danger. Mike remains concerned about the ongoing violence in the region and continues working to bring stability to the region. He remains hopeful that a lasting peace between Sudan and South Sudan, and within the two countries can finally be achieved. He has helped constituents whose families have been victims of tribal violence seek help for survivors by putting them in touch with NGOs such as Doctors Without Borders and Church World Service.
Mike remains in close contact with Obama Administration to discuss developments in Sudan and South Sudan, as well as US policy to address the many problems in the region.

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