Foreign Policy and National Security
The United States can and should be a driving force around the world for freedom, human rights, and peace. This does not mean we should turn first to war and violence. Too many times, our first response to a foreign policy problem has been military action. Unilateral military interventions are counterproductive to our strategic goals and prolong violence and suffering. I support working together with the international community to find thoughtful diplomatic solutions for the complex issues facing our world.
I opposed the invasion of Iraq in 2003, and I continue to oppose the broad authorization of military force that has operated as a blank check for military use for 15 years. As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I will push for diplomatic solutions, increased foreign assistance, and the need to conduct robust congressional oversight. I support innovative responses to 21st century national security threats.
Click here to learn more about the bills that I introduced and cosponsored.
Read my op-ed in The New York Times on U.S. involvement in the unconstitutional war in Yemen.
Read my op-ed in The Los Angeles Times on developing a 21st century foreign policy.
More on Foreign Policy and National Security
Washington, DC – In light of possible plans to withdraw up to half of the 14,000 American troops serving in Afghanistan, U.S. officials said yesterday, Rep. Khanna, member of the House Armed Services Committee, issued the below statement.
An international conflict group reported this week that casualties from the war in Yemen has surpassed 60,000 since 2016, the Associated Press reports.
Where things stand: While the war rages on and the death toll climbs, Washington is divided. It's a clear struggle between those in Congress who believe a message must be sent to Saudi Arabia, and the president, who has refused to break from the Saudis.
In the Senate...
Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Mike Lee (R-Utah) and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.):
A bipartisan pair of congressmen is trying again to force a vote on U.S. support for Saudi Arabia in Yemen’s civil war before the end of the year, as the Senate is poised to take similar action.
Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) recently reintroduced a War Powers Resolution that would remove U.S. forces from hostilities in Yemen except to fight terrorism as allowed by the 2001 war authorization.
In 1973, as President Richard M. Nixon escalated an unauthorized bombing campaign in Cambodia, Sen. J. William Fulbright (D-Ark.) asked, “Does the President assert — as kings of old — that as Commander in Chief he can order American forces anywhere for any purpose that suits him?” Later that year, Congress answered unequivocally that he could not, overriding a presidential veto to authorize the War Powers Act.
Kudos to Ro Khanna for
award, peace leadership
Congratulations to Ro Khanna, our District 17 Congressman, for receiving the Friends Committee on National Legislation’s annual Edward F. Snyder Award for National Legislative Leadership in Advancing Disarmament and Building Peace.
FCNL honored Representative Khanna for his work to prevent war with North Korea, his strong call to end U.S. support for the Saudi-led war in Yemen and his work to strengthen U.S. diplomacy abroad.
WASHINGTON—Senators frustrated with Saudi Arabia following the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi could vote as early as Wednesday on a measure withdrawing U.S. support for the Saudi intervention in Yemen’s civil war, a move that could put them at odds with the White House.
The Senate was expected to vote this week on a resolution to withdraw U.S. military support from the Yemen conflict, which pits a Saudi-led coalition against Iran-allied Houthi militants and has produced the world’s worst humanitarian disaster.
Washington, DC – Today, Representatives Ro Khanna (CA-17), Mark Pocan (WI-02), and Jim McGovern (MA-02), leaders of H. Con Res. 138, issued the below statement in light of recent GOP efforts to block the resolution’s vote in the House and the impending Senate vote this week:
House Republicans killed a Democratic resolution on Wednesday which would have forced a floor debate over U.S. support for the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen.
The Senate on Thursday voted against an effort to block an arms sale to Bahrain — pitched by backers as a means of forcing the island nation to stop participating in the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen.
It was shot down by a majority of senators over concerns it would expose the United States to greater dangers in the Persian Gulf region.