Foreign Affairs

The United States is a beacon of freedom and individual rights to the rest of the world. One of the most important goals of our foreign policy should be to protect our nation's sovereignty in order to preserve our precious freedoms. We also have a responsibility to speak out when freedoms are violated elsewhere.

I believe our nation’s trade policy should demand a level playing field between the United States and our trading partners.  However, I also believe in the benefits of free and open trade.  I support efforts to remove tariffs and barriers to U.S. trade whenever possible and believe that such efforts will lead to increased economic growth for Virginia and the nation as a whole. With approximately one in every four jobs in the 6th District tied to trade, the expansion of trade is essential for a healthy economic future.

I will continue to review any trade agreements to determine if they guard against unfair trading practices and ensure they do not have a negative impact on our level of competitiveness. Free trade is good for American workers and consumers so long as it is conducted fairly.  I will continue fighting for a level playing field for trade - one on which our nation and the people of Virginia can win.

Actions

I am a cosponsor of:

  • H.R. 2829, the United Nations Transparency, Accountability, and Reform Act of 2011

  • H.R.1699, the Pakistan Foreign Aid Accountability Act

  • H.R.1905, the Iran Threat Reduction Act of 2011

  • I also supported H. Con. Res. 31 expressing the sense of Congress that the President is required to obtain in advance specific statutory authorization for the use of United States Armed Forces in response to civil unrest in Libya.

  • I support H. Res. 268 reaffirming the United States' commitment to a negotiated settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through direct Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, and for other purposes.

  • I support H.R. 973, legislation to prohibit U.S. courts from using foreign laws to interpret the U.S. Constitution.

  • I also support H. Res. 568 expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the importance of preventing the Government of Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapons capability.

  • I am a member of the Republican Israel Caucus, Congressional China Caucus, House Baltic Caucus, Sudan Caucus, Trade Caucus, and Friends of Scotland.

CONGRESSMAN BOB GOODLATTE
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