Issue Position: Foreign Affairs

Issue Position

ENCOURAGING INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMACY

The United States' ability to firmly negotiate with our global neighbors has prevented military conflict, expanded economic opportunity and helped to bring human rights to millions of oppressed people around the world.

Over the last year, I had an opportunity to vote for the Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2008 and the Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2009, both of which provided necessary levels of funding for the Department of State and other diplomatic and humanitarian efforts abroad. With these funds, our diplomats will be able to better represent our interests abroad and bring the assistance of the United States to people in need.

SUPPORTING BASIC HUMAN RIGHTS

Around the world, billions of people are living without access to nutritious food, clean water, shelter or education. In many cases, these populations live in Third World nations that are so racked by debt that they cannot begin to support the infrastructure necessary to provide even the most basic services.

In the 110th Congress, I supported the Jubilee Act for Responsible Lending and Expanded Debt Cancellation, which would cancel debt owed to the United States by struggling Third World countries so that they can begin building more robust economies and providing for their citizens. I also voted to pass the Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2008, which allocated significant funding to the United States Agency for International Development, the organization responsible for distributing aid to impoverished and oppressed populations around the world.

Furthermore, I recently sent a letter to President Obama that encouraged him to support the United Nations Millennium Development Goals, which include reducing extreme poverty, promoting universal education, reducing child mortality, and fighting disease epidemics.

CALLING FOR AN END TO GENOCIDE IN DARFUR

In many of the world's most volatile regions, innocent populations are subjugated by their governments, militaries or opposing ethnic groups. From apartheid in South Africa to genocide in Rwanda, I believe that atrocities of recent history should serve as a lesson to American foreign policy.

Sudanese in Darfur refugee campSince the genocide in Darfur, Sudan began in 2003, over 450,000 Sudanese have been killed and nearly 3 million have been displaced. Last year, I joined Members of the Congressional Black Caucus in calling for immediate action to end this brutal violence. Recently, I was pleased that President Obama publically acknowledged the genocide in Darfur by sending an envoy to assess the situation. Together with the International Criminal Court's indictment of Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir on charges of crimes against humanity, the Sudanese people are coming closer to the long overdue justice and peace they deserve.

PREVENTING MEXICAN DRUG VIOLENCE

In early 2009, we witnessed a drastic spike in drug related violence along the United States-Mexico border. This violence, which has claimed over 9,000 lives in Mexico over the last two years, has spilled over the border and resulted in the assault and murder of American citizens.

I strongly support 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 sending Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to meet Mexican officials as well as an additional 500 well-equipped border 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.

In the coming months, I hope to see additional initiatives introduced in Congress that will further support our partnership with the Mexican government as we fight to protect the public against drug trafficking and violence.

TREATING AND PREVENTING HIV/AIDS

Thirty million people are currently infected with HIV/AIDS, with 2 million dying from the disease every year. Over 1 million of those infected are living within the United States.

I offered my strong support to the Hyde-Lantos HIV/AIDS Reauthorization Bill, which provides billions of dollars in aid to developing countries fighting high rates of HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis. I was successful in adding an amendment to this bill that creates a transatlantic, technological medium of exchange that allows African scientists and American medical professionals to collaborate on the best methods for treating and preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS on the African continent.

Source