Issue Position: Foreign Affairs

Issue Position

Our nation is faced with a variety of challenges abroad; below are my views on a number of issues that I continue to monitor in the 113th Congress.

Combating Religious Persecution
I remain concerned about the persecution of religious minorities throughout the world. For this reason in February 2013, I cosponsored H.R. 301, which directs the President to appoint a Special Envoy to promote religious freedom of religious minorities in the Near East and South Central Asia within the Department of State.

Additionally, on August 1, 2014, the House passed H.Res.683, which expresses the urgent need to protect religious minorities in Iraq from the terrorist group ISIL.

Israel
I support a strong alliance with Israel and believe there is a significant bond between the United States and Israel. In March 2013 I agreed to cosponsor H.R. 938, the United States-Israel Strategic Partnership Act, which declares that Israel is a major strategic partner of the United States.

The Israelis, Palestinians and all Middle Eastern states must commit to working toward a peaceful solution that realizes the vision of two nations living peacefully side by side. Too many innocent lives have already been lost in the conflict.

Monitoring Rogue Nations
Congress must stand firm against provocations that threaten our national security, while strengthening our relationships with global allies. To these ends, I am a co-sponsor and voted in support of H.R. 850, the Nuclear Iran Prevention Act, and voted in February 2013 in support of H.Res. 65 to condemn North Korea for its provocations that threaten international peace.

United Nations Accountability
I remain concerned about the efficiency and effectiveness of the United Nations (UN) system. In the past I have cosponsored legislation that would give the U.S. greater say over how our tax dollars are spent at the United Nations. In addition I believe any U.S. foreign policy initiative should protect our freedoms at home and abroad. For this reason I am a cosponsor of H.Con.Res. 23, a concurrent resolution opposing the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT).

Foreign Aid
U.S. foreign assistance is not a right, and as a federal legislator I seriously consider all foreign aid requests to ensure taxpayer resources are being used effectively and in a manner that strengthens our nation's interest abroad. In July 2013, the House of Representatives passed the fiscal year 2014 Department of Defense Appropriations. In order to ensure the responsible use of taxpayer resources, I successfully offered a bipartisan amendment to cut $79 million from unnecessary Afghanistan infrastructure projects.

Uganda
The ongoing injustices in Uganda continue to be of great concern to me and my family. My direct contacts in Uganda have experienced firsthand the atrocities of Joseph Kony's Lord Resistance Army (LRA) forces. In response, I along with 75 of my colleagues in August 2013 called on the President to continue efforts to defeat Joseph Kony and the LRA.

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