U.S. Congressman Ted Deutch Proudly Serving Florida's 19th District

Foreign Policy

As a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, a substantial portion of my time in the 112th Congress will be spent working on issues related to international relations and national security policy.  I will always advocate for a strong and smart foreign policy aimed at strengthening our national security, protecting Israel’s right to exist, eliminating the threat posed by Iran’s nuclear weapons program, and advancing human rights. 

Watch the Congressman's testimony before the Senate Homeland SecurityCommittee.

Iran’s nuclear weapons program is the single greatest threat to the security of America, Israel, and our allies. As the world’s leading state sponsor of terror, we must prevent nuclear weapons from falling into the hands of terrorists.  While the international community must continue to work together to place economic pressure on Iran, it is imperative that the United States lead by imposing strict economic sanctions on this dangerous regime. As a Florida State Senator, I passed legislation making our state the first in the country to place economic pressure on Iran. In the 112th Congress, I am pleased to report that two pieces of legislation I have authored, the Iran Transparency and Accountability Act and the Iran Human Rights and Democracy Promotion Act, have been incorporated into a larger, bipartisan package of sanctions aimed at thwarting Iran's illicit nuclear weapons program.

A Safe and Secure Israel

As a lifelong activist in the pro-Israel community, protecting Israel’s security amidst regional hostility and terrorist threats is my unwavering commitment. My trip to Israel in April of 2011 only reaffirmed my belief that America’s unshakeable bond with Israel must extend far beyond mutual military interests. America benefits from Israel’s innovative economy, vibrant cultural and artistic contributions, and deep commitment to democracy and human rights. We must stand with Israel in the face of terrorist attacks, extremist propaganda, hostile neighbors in the Middle East, and an Iranian regime whose leader talks of a world without Israel. 

I am proud that some of my first votes in Congress helped propel legislation strengthening Israel’s security. During my first week in the House, I voted to move the Iran Sanctions Act to conference with the United States Senate, making stringent sanctions on the Iranian regime one step closer to becoming law. I also voted to authorize President Obama’s request to increase funding for Israel’s Iron Dome project, a short range missile defense system that will protect innocent Israeli citizens from rockets and mortars. I firmly believe that security is paramount to any hope for a peaceful Middle East. It is critical that the Palestinian Authority and other Arab nations end incitement, stop delegitimizing Israel, end their illegal economic embargos, normalize diplomatic relations, and reject the use of terror as a negotiating tool. The Israeli government, including current Prime Minister Netanyahu, has shown clear signs of wishing to achieve a lasting peace through a two-state solution with a demilitarized Palestinian territory. It is now time for Palestine and other Arab nations to meet Israel’s sacrifice and efforts to achieve Middle East peace.

Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan

Even in the wake of President Obama's operation that successfully killed Osama bin Laden, it is clear that al Qaeda continues to plot against our nation. While thwarting this threat must remain the central focus of the war on terror, I strongly believe that our military commitment in Afghanistan must not be open-ended. That's why I recently voted to require the Administration to review our war policy in Afghanistan, reevaluate our need for a massive troop presence there, and if possible, accelerate the timeline for withdrawing our troops. While this measure ultimately failed in the House of Representatives, bringing the war in Afghanistan to a close will remain a top priority of mine. 

There is no question that President Bush's decsision to preemptively invade Iraq was severely misguided. However, there is no question that our troops have served honorably applaud. I support President Obama's phased withdrawal of our troops from Iraq and the continued transfer of responsibility to the nation's own security forces. The war in Iraq has cost the United States thousands of lives and over $725 billion to American taxpayers while distracting us from more pressing national security matters. In fact, the war’s destabilizing effect on Iraq has empowered the hostile regime in Iran, a disturbing development given President Ahmadinejad’s determination to build nuclear weapons.