Issue Position: Foreign Affairs

Issue Position

Since 2007, I have been privileged to serve on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and have assisted in crafting US foreign policy in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Israel, and other parts of our world. My work has taken me around the globe to troubled, third-world nations, warzones, and to emerging democracies. Our nation has a vested interest in the global economy, trade issues, security, religious freedom and human rights. We must act to protect these interests if and when necessary.

There is no better ally to our nation in the Middle East than Israel, and I have consistently supported legislation, letters, amendments and resolutions that recognizes Israel's right to defend itself from attack, that supports the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, and provides for a workable two-state solution.

This Congress, I am a co-sponsor of H. Res. 34, and joined over 300 of my colleagues in a letter to President Obama supporting our efforts to help Israel achieve a lasting peace with the surrounding nations. The letter also supported direct, bilateral negotiations between Israel and Palestine, with America continuing to be a mediator, and insisting Palestine end the violence against Israel. Recently, I co-signed a second letter to King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, which encouraged him to take a strong leadership role and help lead the Middle East to a new era of peace by engaging directly with Israel.

The security of our nation and our allies depends on Congress taking a firm stance towards rogue nations like Iran. Currently I am co-sponsoring two bills which would bring greater sanctions against Iran. The first is HR 1327, the Iran Sanctions Enabling Act of 2009 which would state that it is the policy of our nation to support divestment in Iran of more than $20 million in Iran's energy sector. The second bill is HR 2194, the Iran Refined Petroleum Sanctions Act of 2009. Surprisingly, Iran lacks the infrastructure to refine crude oil, so they rely heavily on foreign nations to provide refined product. HR 2194 would forbid efforts by foreign firms to supply refined gasoline to Iran or to supply equipment to Iran that could be used by Iran to expand or construction oil refineries. Secondly, H.R. 2194 would, in addition, expand the menu of sanctions available for the President to impose, in order to enact penalties against violating firms. The new available sanctions would include: (1) prohibiting transactions in foreign exchange by the sanctioned firm; (2) prohibiting any financial transactions on behalf of the sanctioned firm; or (3) prohibiting any acquisitions or ownership of U.S. property by the sanctioned entity.

I am also concerned about oil and gas leases granted to American subsidiaries of foreign energy companies who are subject to sanction under US law due to their investments in Iranian energy. In June 2009, I sent a letter to Department of Interior Secretary Ken Salazar asking the Department of the Interior reverse its policy of allowing companies investing in Iran to bid on oil and gas leases in the United States.

India has long been a natural partner with the United States, and they have become vital to our foreign policy interests in South Asia. In recent years, India and the United States have signed civilian nuclear energy deals, defense framework agreements and we have engaged in numerous combined military exercises with India since 2002. India's economy is expanding rapidly, and many American businesses are seeing India as a strong candidate for investment. California's 20th Congressional District is rich with Indian heritage as many Hindus and Sikhs call our Valley "home." Recently, I signed a letter to DOD Secretary Gates asking that Sikh-Americans be allowed to wear turbans while serving in the military.

Pakistan is an equally important nation in South Asia as we have mutual interests in combating regional and global terrorism and stability in Afghanistan and combating drug trafficking and poppy growth in the region. I supported HR 1886 the Pakistan Enduring Assistance and Cooperation Enhancement Act of 2009 which authorizes the President to provide assistance to Pakistan to support strengthening democratic civilian rule, the judicial system, public education and human rights. We also need to work with the Pakistani government to end the historic corruption which hinders humanitarian relief and overall progress in Pakistan. I am also hopeful that Special Representative to Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke will be helpful to push things along.

It is established history that between 1915 and 1923 the Ottoman Empire systematically killed an estimated 1.5 million Armenians and drove hundreds of thousands of others into exile from their ancestral homeland. This tragic event was the first genocide of the 20th century, and is well documented in the United States Archives, has been universally accepted in the International Association of Genocide Scholars and the broader historical and academic communities. I have worked to ensure that our nation officially recognizes the atrocities committed during the end of the Ottoman Empire through my original co-sponsorship of H. Res. 252. Earlier this year, I wrote to Secretary of State Clinton to encourage the new Administration to formally recognize the Armenian Genocide as such. Genocide is not something that can simply be swept under the rug and forgotten, and our nation cannot continue its policy of denial regarding the Armenian Genocide.

During the past five years in Congress, I have worked to bring the weight of Congress to stand behind the United States' commitment to human rights, particularly focusing on state sponsored persecution of the Baha'i minority in Iran (H. Res. 175), observing the 15th anniversary of the Rwandan genocide (H. Con. Res. 87), and last Congress, remembering the 75th anniversary of the Ukrainian Famine of 1932-1933. Also, I have joined the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission which promotes, defends and advocates for internationally recognized human rights in a non-partisan manner.

As we look upon the challenges we face around the world, we must better utilize of all the foreign policy tools in our tool box to gain greater support abroad; this includes our nation's "smart power". Smart power is our nation's non-military activities in foreign countries which include American investments in business or construction, trade, foreign aid, and our diplomatic work through various State Department programs and the Peace Corps. We provide American know-how to help countries build roads, electrical lines and teach nations how to utilize water in more efficient ways. While often overlooked, smart power is vital tool in our foreign policy toolbox and I have seen the benefits of American smart power in countries like Afghanistan and Iraq. The House recently passed, with my support, HR 2410, the Foreign Relations Authorization Act for 2010 and 2011. This legislation allows our nation to re-energize our diplomatic work around the globe by hiring new Foreign Service Officers, building our relationships with international organizations, strengthen the Peace Corps, and address recent drug trafficking and violence along our southern border.

In order to further the ideals of American democracy abroad while protecting our citizens, I pledge to use my time on the House Foreign Affairs Committee to introduce and support legislation that will lead to responsible American diplomatic policy and the peaceful resolution of conflicts in troubled regions.

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