Fighting for Human Rights Around the World

As a member of the Senate State–Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee, Senator Mikulski is committed to supporting foreign aid programs that respond to such global challenges as poverty, disease, and hunger while promoting a commitment to diplomacy and stability.

Working to Save the People of Darfur

Senator Mikulski speaks out for the people of Darfur by:

• Cosponsoring a resolution that declared the atrocities in Darfur are genocide and continuing to call for a peace plan that includes a halt to violence, the return of refugees, and the creation of a system of accountability.
• Working for the passage of the Darfur Peace and Accountability Act, which
  • Authorizes the President to provide assistance to reinforce the operations of the African Union, and
  • Blocks assets and denies visas to any individuals responsible for acts of genocide in Sudan.
• Working for increases in funding to provide humanitarian assistance and peacekeeping support in Darfur and calling on the international community to support the hybrid UN-African Union peacekeeping mission.
• Supporting the creation of the Special Envoy to Sudan to coordinate U.S. diplomatic efforts with the government of Sudan and our international partners.
• Encouraging legislation to allow states to divest their pension funds from foreign countries that are funding the genocide (Sudan Divestment Authorization Act, Sudan Accountability and Divestment Act).

Standing Up for the Rights of Women and Children

Senator Mikulski supports foreign assistance programs that empower women and protect children by:

• Fighting to protect women and children from trafficking by:
  • Increasing the penalties for trafficking women and children,
  • Supporting the United Nations Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children.
• Advocating for a comprehensive strategy for the protection of women and children affected by humanitarian emergencies (Protection of Vulnerable Populations During Humanitarian Emergencies Act).
• Championing legislation to create the Office for Women's Global Initiatives at the State Department to coordinate all U.S. policies and programs to stop violence against women worldwide (International Violence Against Women Act). This bill would also:
  • Require a comprehensive strategy for fighting violence against women, particularly those at risk during humanitarian crises or in conflict zones.
• Helping countries reduce poverty and improve economic opportunities for women by cosponsoring the Global Resources and Opportunities for Women to Thrive Act, which would
  • Increase access to credit and small loans,
  • Strengthen property rights, and
  • Improve working conditions.
• Advocating for assistance to improve the health of newborns, children, and mothers by helping countries train medical personnel, improve access to medical supplies and treatment, offer health education and counseling, and expand safe water and sanitation facilities (U.S. Commitment to Global Child Survival Act).

Fighting the Global War on HIV/AIDS

Senator Mikulski supports the global fight to prevent and treat HIV/AIDS by:

• Supporting efforts to increase funding to fulfill the U.S. commitment to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
• Championing legislation to provide assistance to countries to improve the recruitment, training, retention, and working conditions of professional health workers in Africa (African Health Capacity Investment Act).
• Advocating for legislation to focus U.S. efforts on preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV/AIDS and to provide care and treatment to all children affected by HIV/AIDS, including orphans (Global Pediatric HIV/AIDS Prevention and Treatment Act).