He also became Chairman of the Senate's subcommittee on European Affairs. As a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Obama made official trips to Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia and Africa. He met with Mahmoud Abbas before Abbas became President of the Palestinian National Authority, and gave a speech at the University of Nairobi in which he condemned corruption within the Kenyan government. Job growth during the presidency of Obama compared to other presidents, as measured as cumulative percentage change from month after inauguration to end of his term. Job growth during the presidency of Obama compared to other presidents, as measured as cumulative percentage change from month after inauguration to end of his term.