Issue Position: Foreign Affairs

Issue Position

United Nations

The United Nations was formed in an effort to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations, promote better living standards, and advocate for human rights. While these are noble aims, the Congressman believes that the UN lacks transparency, accountability, objectivity, and effectiveness in its mission and is in need of sweeping reform.

The United States is the single largest contributor to the UN's budget. However, it often seems that the UN gives a platform to anti-American nations and dictators like Iran's Mahmoud Ahmadinejad or North Korea's Kim Jong-Un, who use their positions on various UN bodies to attack America and our allies. Congressman Garrett rejects the use of American taxpayers' dollars to support giving these dictators a platform to slander our nation and our allies. To that end, he supports taking a hard look at the United States' contributions to and support for the UN.

Taiwan

Congressman Garrett is a long-standing member of the Taiwan Caucus, and is a staunch advocate for Taiwan to have full and meaningful representation in international bodies such as the United Nations and the World Health Organization. The Congressman has consistently supported Taiwan's independence and pushed for closer political and military ties between our two great nations. He is a strong supporter of giving Taiwan the tools to defend itself in the face of a rising and increasingly hostile People's Republic of China, and for ensuring that both Taiwan and China know that America stands with its ally.

Israel

Congressman Garrett supports the right of Israel to exist as a sovereign, democratic nation and defend itself against attacks from neighboring territories. While Congressman Garrett supports efforts to have peace between Israel and the Palestinians, he does not believe Israel should jeopardize its security by creating borders that could potentially leave it vulnerable to attack by neighbors.

The Congressman supports strong ties with Israel, and is a strong supporter of ensuring that Israel has the full support of the United States. In the 113th Congress, Congressman Garrett introduced the Jerusalem Embassy and Recognition Act of 2013. This important legislation would require that the United States Embassy in Israel move from its current location in Tel Aviv to Israel's legal capital, Jerusalem.

Congressman Garrett acknowledges the vital role that US support plays in promoting Israel's safety and security. Not only does US aid to Israel help promote a more stable Middle East, but also approximately 75 percent of the aid delivered to Israel returns to the United States in the form of military supply purchases.

Palestinian Statehood

Congressman Garrett does not believe the Palestinian Authority should unilaterally declare statehood through the United Nations. Peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians will not be settled through a resolution at the United Nations. Congressman Garrett believes lasting peace will only be achieved through direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians, and that stunts like the Palestinian's unilateral declaration of statehood or membership application to the United Nations undermine the peace process.

Similarly, Congressman Garrett supports the current US policy that requires we withhold contributions to any United Nations committee that recognizes the Palestinian Authority, and has urged the State Department to enforce this policy and not exempt the committees that recognize the Palestinian Authority as a member state.

Korea

Congressman Garrett is a strong supporter of the free and independent people of the Republic of Korea (South Korea). He supports the United States' strong political and military ties with South Korea, and he takes a firm stance against appeasing the dictatorship that rules over and oppresses the people of North Korea. As the North Koreans advance their nuclear program, Congressman Garrett supports strong sanctions and efforts against the regime in order to ensure that the peoples of the United States, South Korea and Japan remain safe and free.

Iran

Congressman Garrett is a strong supporter of sanctions against the government of Iran. A firm opponent of the United States and the West since 1979, the government of Iran is one of the major global sponsors of state-sponsored terrorism and a key supporter of Hezbollah, Hamas and insurgent groups operating in Iraq, Afghanistan and Yemen. Congressman Garrett supports stricter sanctions against the Iranian government and efforts to halt their disturbing nuclear program.

Source