Foreign Affairs & Trade

When it comes to Congressional actions that affect our relationships with foreign governments and citizens, I believe that U.S. policy should reflect the same principles that drive our domestic policy: respect for differences, care for humanitarian needs, and commitment to peace and improving the lives of all people. I am honored to be a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee; where I serve on the International Organizations, Human Rights, and Oversight Subcommittee as well as the Middle East and South Asia Subcommittee.

A New Global Marshall Plan

I authored legislation that upholds the concept of a Global Marshall Plan as a vision for restructuring our commitment to international development and for the United States’ restored influence of goodwill in the world. The Global Marshall Plan, first devised by Vice-President Al Gore, is a new plan for foreign development assistance that calls for the U.S. to invest 1-2% of our country’s Gross Domestic Product into aid to poor countries across the globe. This follows in the footsteps of the Marshall Plan that was so effective following World War II.

Fostering Fair Trade

Unfortunately, the push for free trade in this global economy is far too often an economic race to the bottom with developing countries outbidding each other to provide labor at the lowest wage possible. This frequently results in good paying jobs being outsourced from the United States to developing nations with abusive working conditions and poor or non-existent environmental protections.

I believe trade between the nations of the world can help promote not only economic growth but also democratic values. However, this is only accomplished when the value of trade is measured by asking whether or not this commerce improves the quality of life for the citizens of each nation. This is especially true when our trading partners are developing countries. I believe trade deals must be negotiated not only for the benefit of the United States, but for the benefit of all countries involved. That is why I believe in fair trade and not simply free trade.

I am honored to serve on the Executive Committee of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, which investigates human rights conditions and abuses around the globe.

I also serve on the House Democracy Partnership, an official organization of the House of the Representatives that works through peer-to-peer partnerships with emerging democratic legislatures to assist in the development of the building blocks of legislative government: oversight, transparency, accountability, effective legislation, and responsiveness to constituents.



Reforming U.S. Foreign Assistance Policy Print

I am a proud co-sponsor of H.R. 2139, the Initiating Foreign Assistance Reform Act 2009, which I consider a necessary first step toward comprehensive reform of U.S. foreign assistance policy.  H.R. 2139 places great emphasis on aid effectiveness and the need to better coordinate U.S. foreign aid programs by requiring increased transparency.

I believe that poverty reduction must be at the core of the critically important efforts to reform U.S. foreign assistance policy.  I also believe that U.S. foreign assistance programs should be under civilian control in all but the most exceptional cases.  In achieving a full-scale reformation of U.S. foreign assistance management, it is important that the roles and budget of USAID be strengthened and expanded to oversee all aid-related initiatives and programs.  The further development of developing or underdeveloped nations should be one of the three pillars of ensuring U.S. national security along with diplomacy and defense.

 
The Foreign Relations Authorization Act Print

To provide resources for foreign policy efforts and public diplomacy, the Foreign Relations Authorization Act Fiscal Years 2010 and 2011 (H.R. 2410) contains components that will expand study-abroad programs as well as cultural and educational programs to broaden the perspectives of our young and future generations. It will also increase the size of the U.S. peace corps and volunteers to strengthen our development and humanitarian efforts worldwide. Most importantly, it will allow the State Department to expand its foreign service workforce over the next two years to support active engagement with partners and allies to restore American leadership and renew our image. In addition, the bill will reiterate U.S. commitment to multilateral diplomacy and our readiness to work with the international community by implementing U.S. financial commitment to the United Nations and other international organizations in which we are an active and responsible member. I strongly support this legislation.

We need to invest in diplomacy and development as a way to advance our national interests and promote good relations with our allies and the international community. As a Member of Congress, I will work closely with my colleagues and the Administration to ensure that the U.S. foreign service meets its goals and objectives.

 


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