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Foreign Affairs
As a senior member of the Appropriations Subcommittees on Foreign Operations and Defense, I have been particularly attentive to foreign affairs while serving in the U.S. Senate. The 109th Congress is faced with many important international issues: the reconstruction of Iraq, international terrorism, the Mideast peace process, human rights, and our foreign aid budget, to name only a few.
To examine the current situation in the Mideast first-hand, I traveled to the region to meet with Arab and Israeli leaders in 2003. My view is that the risks for the United States of doing nothing to quell the conflict are much greater than the risks if we try, even if there is no immediate success. I strongly believe that dialogue and open lines of communication with other nations, such as those in the Mideast, can prove to be helpful in achieving peace and security in regions of conflict.
During my tenure in the U.S. Senate, I have been greatly involved in raising the issue of religious freedom and human rights abroad. I am proud to have introduced S. 772, the Freedom from Religious Persecution Act, on May 21, 1997. I worked to pass a similar bill, H.R. 2431, the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998, on October 27, 1998. This important measure established the Office of International Religious Freedom to advance religious freedom worldwide and the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, which reports on religious freedom abroad.
During my trip to Africa in 2002, I pressed Sudanese President Omar el Bashier to provide religious freedom in his country and make this issue a priority in his administration. Since my visit in 2002, the situation has deteriorated and represents a humanitarian crisis with tens of thousands dead and over one million displaced in the region. Realizing the importance of U.S. and International pressure in resolving the crisis, I became an original cosponsor of S. 2705, the Comprehensive Peace for Sudan Act, which authorizes $1 billion in aid for Sudan and urges the UN Security Council to pass a resolution condemning the Government of Sudan and holding those responsible for orchestrating the atrocities in Darfur accountable. I supported the Congress’ efforts to provide $404 million for Sudan in the Fiscal Year 2005 (FY05) Omnibus Appropriations bill and an additional $95 million in the FY05 Defense Appropriations bill. In the 109th Congress, I have continued to support efforts aimed at bringing relief to those suffering in Darfur. I am a cosponsor of the Darfur Accountability Act of 2005 which calls for a U.N Security Council resolution on Sudan and authorizes U.S. sanctions against Sudanese individuals who have committed crimes against humanity.
With respect to our foreign aid budget, I believe it is important for the U.S. to continue to give valuable assistance overseas while keeping with our national interests. I supported the Senate’s FY06 State and Foreign Operations Bill, which contains $22.16 billion in foreign aid. I also worked to include $900 million for the Migration and Refugee Assistance account, and $40 million for the Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance Fund, a funding level that reflects America's fundamental commitment to helping those who have been forced to flee their native countries. I further worked to secure $500 million for a U.S. contribution to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
The Senate’s version of the FY06 foreign aid bill also provides $1.8 billion for the Millennium Challenge Account, an innovative foreign assistance initiative that provides assistance to countries committed to pursuing healthy political and economic policies.
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