It is critical that we maintain America’s role as a leader in the international community. The use of force should always be a last resort and diplomacy must be emphasized in all of our relationships around the world. As a member of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, I understand the importance of working with other countries to find peaceful solutions wherever possible, maintaining a focus on diplomacy, democracy, human rights, and development.
We have the best military in the world and I am dedicated to supporting our troops. It is important, however, to be realistic about our defense spending and what is truly necessary for our national security. Our spending should focus on what our military needs to keep our country safe, not what makes good politics—and this means bringing defense spending to reasonable levels. Some of my colleagues in Congress proposed giving the Department of Defense (DoD) over $3 billion more in funding than it requested. This is fiscally irresponsible, and it’s one of the reasons why I voted against the Fiscal Year 2012 DoD appropriations bill. I also voted against the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) because I have serious concerns about the troubling limitations on civil liberties and constitutional rights it contains. The NDAA not only failed to correct previous legislation allowing U.S. citizens to be subject to military detention and trials, but it took further steps to limit an individual’s habeas corpus rights.
I support ending the war in Afghanistan. Shortly after I was sworn into Congress I joined my colleagues in sending a letter to the President in support of his plan to end combat operations in Afghanistan by 2014, and I have consistently voted for amendments that limit funding for operations in Afghanistan to the orderly and safe withdrawal of troops.