Issue Position: Strengthening America's Standing Abroad

Issue Position

A strong foreign policy is one that keeps our country safe and protects our interests. As a United States Senator, Hector Balderas' foreign policy strategy will be both tough enough to get the job done and smart enough to safeguard American resources, both human and financial.

President Obama has shown effective and non-partisan leadership. From ratifying a new treaty on nuclear arms reduction to rooting out the world's most wanted terrorists, he has shown an ability to get results and protect American interests. Continuing a pragmatic approach means keeping our economic interests at the forefront of decision making. We cannot afford to pursue an ideological and extreme agenda. Instead, we must advance strategies that sustain our economic health.

We must continue to root out terrorism and prevent future attacks whenever and wherever they may arise. Keeping our citizens safe is paramount. But Hector also realizes that preventing terrorism means working to bolster America's image and increasing positive perceptions of our influence around the globe. That is why working with-- and listening to--our allies is essential.

Our Commander-in-Chief's commitment to withdraw our troops from Iraq and Afghanistan is also encouraging. While we must withdraw in a smart and pragmatic manner that ensures the stability of the region and prevents the risk of letting these countries slide back into terrorist safe havens, recent successes in the region afford us the opportunity to reassess our timetable for withdrawal, and begin to apply those resources to nation-building at home more quickly.

Any foreign policy strategy must be based on the understanding that America's troops are one of our greatest assets and we must support them fully in their mission. But supporting our troops also means caring for them when they return home. Hector will make sure we honor our commitments to veterans, and provide them with excellent healthcare and mental health services, access to treatment programs, job training and housing, as well as retirement and disability benefits. Our soldiers rightly deserve a moral and financial commitment from their government that lives up to the sacrifices they make for our country.

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