Foreign Affairs

Supporting Peace and Democracy

In 2011, people across the Middle East and North Africa rose up against their oppressive governments to call for them to be more open, accountable and democratic.  It was a turning point in the region as long-time dictators like Hosni Mubarak and Muammar Gaddafi were overthrown by popular uprising.  I strongly support the rights of all people to peacefully stand up for their basic human rights.

Sadly, we continue to see ongoing violence in Syria, where fighting has killed over 100,000 innocent Syrians, and in Egypt, where the Arab Spring’s push for democracy is threatened.  I believe that any government or ruler that orders attacks on its own people, just for speaking out against oppression, should be held accountable on the international stage.  I support the use of sanctions and the International Criminal Court to bring ruthless dictators to justice.

Encouraging International Diplomacy and Human Rights

The United States’ ability to successfully negotiate with our global neighbors has prevented military conflicts, expanded economic opportunities and helped to bring human rights to millions of oppressed people around the world.  Our humanitarian efforts have provided life saving assistance to people living without access to nutritious food, clean water, shelter or education.

Over the years, I have had an opportunity to vote on many critical bills that guide our diplomatic policy and fund the State Department, USAID and other agencies that promote peaceful diplomacy and humanitarian assistance around the world.  I will continue to do what I can to ensure that our diplomats have the tools they need to represent our interests abroad and bring the assistance of the United States to people in need.

Promoting Fair International Trade

On a level playing field, American companies can outperform and out produce those in any other country. Unfortunately, China continues to allow unfair practices, such as stealing intellectual property and making our goods more expensive by manipulating their currency. These actions have cost us hundreds of thousands of jobs and forced companies to shut their doors. In this fragile economy, protecting jobs is my top priority. I have and will continue to support legislation that condemns China’s damaging trade policies and better protects American workers.

Opposing Unfair Trade Agreements

From cars to planes to computers, America has always been a manufacturing leader. However, after a decade of jobs moving overseas, our manufacturing sector is nearing collapse.  One reason so many jobs have left our country is our approval of so called free trade agreements.  These agreements are intended to streamline trade between us and our allies.  However, they more often encourage American businesses to ship jobs out of the country in order to take advantage of cheaper labor costs and lax regulation.

I was proud to stand up for working Americans by opposing the Korea, Panama and Columbia Free Trade Agreements.  I believed that these agreements will only hurt more American workers by making us less competitive and sending their jobs overseas.

Combating Mexican Drug Violence

Beginning in early 2009, we witnessed a drastic spike in drug related violence along the United States-Mexico border. This violence, which has claimed over 60,000 lives in Mexico since 2006, has spilled over the border and resulted in the assault and murder of American citizens.

I have strongly supported the Obama Administration’s efforts to quell violence along our border and protect innocent Americans against the traffickers who are flooding our streets with illegal and dangerous drugs. By maintaining a diplomatic relationship with Mexican officials and sending additional well-equipped agents to the most vulnerable parts of our border, the President is signaling to gangs and drug cartels that we will not tolerate their lawlessness and brutality.

I will continue to support legislation that fully funds our border protections and law enforcement efforts that prevent this terrible violence from spilling over into the United States.