Caucus Membership

Dialogue Caucus:
As a Member concerned about the challenges confronting the United States in the Middle East and around the world, we are forming The Dialogue Caucus to actively promote dialogue and diplomacy at this critical juncture in our nation’s history. The United States faces what could be the most consequential foreign policy turning point of our time. We feel that abandoning diplomacy is the best hope for peace and is a mistake we cannot afford to make. We feel that the greater likely hood of success would come from placing our focus on the diplomatic front and expanding our efforts for successful dialogue.

While we are aware that there is no certain answer to the problems in Iraq, we are sure that the military attempts at securing Iraq have not been successful. History shows us that dialogue and diplomatic engagement is more often than war an impetus for long lasting change. Therefore, we are going to actively promote dialogue and diplomacy with all countries in the region as a strategy for stabilizing Iraq and repairing American foreign policy. It is our belief that it is in our nation’s best interest to immediately and assertively engage in dialogue. Bringing all stakeholders in the Middle East to the table for comprehensive dialogue is critical not only for the security of the people of Iraq, but it is also essential for the world at large.

Middle East Economic Partnership Caucus: As a Member committed to strengthening the economic ties between the United States and moderate Middle Eastern countries, we are forming the Middle East Economic Partnership Caucus. The goal of the caucus will be to support greater cultural understanding and economic cooperation between people from the United States and the Middle East and Maghreb regions.

Given the current challenges we are facing in the Arab world, we feel a caucus focused on new economic development opportunities that promote stability and prosperity is critical. The 9-11 Commission Report affirmed the value of economic opportunity as a component in the broader effort to contend with terrorism. The report stated, “A comprehensive U.S. strategy to counter terrorism should include economic policies that encourage development, more open societies, and opportunities for people to improve the lives of their families and to enhance prospects for their children’s future.” This is a strategy to fight terrorism that we all should be able to agree on. Helping Middle Eastern nations make economic, social and political reforms is not only good for their people, but it is good for the United States.

Malaysia Caucus:
As a Member concerned with maintaining and promoting a close, positive relationship with Malaysia, we are expanding the Congressional Malaysia Trade, Security and Economic Caucus. This Caucus will promote a mature political relationship between the U.S. and Malaysia. Also, it will serve as an independent vehicle for Members of Congress to articulate their views on U.S. – Malaysia relations and as a source of information on political, security, and economic related issues. Finally, it will work to strengthen the discourse on bilateral and regional issues by engaging Malaysia perspectives on issues of mutual interest.

Congressional Services Caucus:
As a Member concerned about keeping the U.S. edge in trade and services, we have formed the Congressional Services Caucus.

Services such as financial, express delivery, communications, tourism, information technology, energy, art and entertainment, scientific and professional services are the engines of our economic growth, job creation, competitiveness and innovation. As U.S. service providers strive to increase their foreign trade, US policy makers are faced with a number of challenges in constructing an international environment that promotes increased trade in services.

The Congressional Services Caucus will update Members on the crucial role of services to our economy, to employment, to trade and investment and to U.S. competitiveness in the global economy. It will support policies that remove trade barriers to our continued competitiveness in services and provide more efficient regimes in which to conduct trade in services.