Foreign Affairs

Congresswoman Lowey believes a robust foreign policy is critical to United States national security. She is a leading proponent of all three elements of a strong national security strategy: defense, diplomacy, and development.

As the former Chair and current Ranking Democrat on the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations, Lowey advocates full funding of diplomatic priorities, as well as security, economic, and humanitarian assistance.   Fulfilling our leadership responsibility requires reducing poverty, increasing access to basic education and economic development; preventing and treating infectious diseases; promoting democracy in developing societies; and encouraging the export of U.S. products around the world. 

U.S.-Israel Relationship

Lowey is a leading proponent of a strong U.S. - Israel relationship. She is a strong advocate for the annual U.S. aid package for Israel, most of which is used to purchase American equipment and services from American companies. Lowey will continue to support assistance that recognizes Israel’s unique role as a strategic ally essential to U.S. national security and maintains Israel’s qualitative military edge.

Congresswoman Lowey believes we must work tirelessly to facilitate a two-state solution in the Middle East.  That is why she is working to:

  • Encourage Palestinian leadership to engage diplomatically with Israel, return to the negotiating table, and end incitement and hate speech;
     
  • Professionalize Palestinian security forces to end terrorism and lawlessness in Palestinian-controlled territories; and
     
  • Ensure that under no circumstances U.S. assistance benefits Hamas or other terrorist organizations, or rewards Palestinians for failing to engage diplomatically with Israel or meet the Quartet principles.

Iran

Congresswoman Lowey believes Iran’s quest to develop nuclear capability poses a clear threat to the security of the United States and our ally Israel.  This rogue regime has provided funding to Hezbollah terrorists, repeatedly flouted nuclear nonproliferation agreements, and continues to call for the destruction of Israel and the U.S.

Congresswoman Lowey supports President Obama’s enactment of crippling sanctions against Iran designed to compel the regime to abandon its pursuit of nuclear weapons.

Iraq and Afghanistan

The brave men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces have performed admirably in Iraq and Afghanistan.  Although violence persists, the skill, bravery, and selfless dedication of our men and women in uniform  - and their families at home - has made it possible to decrease our footprint and transfer security and governing responsibilities to Iraqis and Afghans.

Congresswoman Lowey supports President Obama's responsible withdrawal of American combat forces from Iraq.  She believes the war in Iraq should serve as a reminder of the difficulty of preemptive war and the importance of equipping our troops for the task they will face during both combat and the transition to peace.

Congresswoman Lowey also supports responsible withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan while maintaining capability to target remnants of Al Qaeda intent on attacking the United States and assist with the transition of security and governance responsibilities.

Basic Education

Educated populations are better able to protect themselves from threats including poverty, disease, hunger, and terror recruitment. Yet more than 67 million children worldwide are not enrolled in primary school.  Congresswoman Lowey has worked hard to expand access to basic education in the developing world, promote curricula that reject intolerance and hate, and help schools contribute to peaceful and democratic societies, as recommended by the bipartisan 9-11 Commission.   

Empowering Women

Congresswoman Lowey understands that it will be impossible for developing countries to progress toward economic stability if they leave half of their populations behind.  That is why she is working to:

  • Expand women’s access to credit and microcredit so they can start a business and provide an income for their families;
     
  • Protect women’s property rights so they cannot be targeted unfairly; and
     
  • Ensure girls – whose school enrollment rates are far lower than boys – have access to basic education.

The ability to determine when to have children and how many children to have is critical to women’s health, preventing unintended pregnancies, and economic empowerment.  That is why Congresswoman Lowey has:

  • Supported robust funding for bilateral and multilateral family planning programs and fought efforts to restrict U.S. funding for life-saving health and family planning programs for the poorest women and children around the world;
     
  • Supported President Obama’s repeal of the “global gag rule,” which prohibited foreign NGOs from receiving any U.S. assistance unless they agree not to use their own funds to perform abortions or provide referrals or counseling for these services; and 
     
  • Authored the Global Democracy Promotion Act, which would ensure our foreign aid policy promotes the same standards of freedom of speech and democratic participation in other countries that Americans are fortunate to have.

Caucus Memberships

Congresswoman Lowey is a member of the Congressional Human Rights Caucus and has fought to end human rights abuses around the world and to hold those responsible for violations of human rights accountable. She is also a member of the Bipartisan Congressional Task Force on Terror Financing. Recognizing the importance of a number of specific regions around the world to her constituents, Lowey is a member of Congressional caucuses focusing on India, Armenia, Ukraine, Taiwan, and Hellenic issues.

Press Releases

Filtered by Foreign Affairs

Show all items