Batman star Ben Affleck put aside his cape this week to crusade on behalf of the Eastern Congo instead.

The Hollywood actor was speaking before a Senate Appropriations State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs Subcommittee on Capitol Hill in Washington, where he was supported by his wife Jennifer Garner and eldest daughter Violet, nine.

Jennifer Garner sits behind Ben Affleck on Capitol Hill (Lauren Victoria Burke/AP)
Jennifer Garner sits behind Ben Affleck on Capitol Hill (Lauren Victoria Burke/AP)

Ben, who co-founded the Eastern Congo Initiative in 2010, testified about foreign aid in Africa during the Diplomacy, Development and National Security hearing, alongside Microsoft co-founder and fellow philanthropist Bill Gates.

Jennifer and Violet sat behind Ben in the Dirsken Senate Office Building, Jennifer looking demure in a black shift dress with brocade trim.

But the actress could not help beaming with pride at her husband’s philanthropic efforts.

Jennifer Garner laughs with Ben Affleck on Capitol Hill (Lauren Victoria Burke/AP)
Jennifer Garner laughs with Ben Affleck on Capitol Hill (Lauren Victoria Burke/AP)

Ben’s Eastern Congo Initiative provides grants to Congolese organisations working to rebuild the community.

He wrote on Instagram: “I made my first trip to Congo seven years ago after reading about the two decades of conflict the Congolese people had endured. I expected to find hopelessness, but the people I encountered, like these former child soldiers, were among the most courageous and resilient I could imagine.”