Issue Position: Foreign Policy, Trade, and Defense - United Nations

Issue Position

I support the active involvement of the United States as a leading member of the United Nations. As the world becomes increasingly interdependent through global trade, travel, and expanded communications, it is critical that nations find ways to work together cooperatively to enhance peace and security, promote global health, exchange information, and provide educational opportunities.

Since the United States led the effort to create the United Nations after World War II, the UN has achieved some very important successes. For example, The World Health Organization, a UN entity, led the successful effort to eliminate the scourge of smallpox. Due to its efforts, this fatal disease was eradicated in 1977. And now we are just a year or two away from eliminating polio, as well.

In addition, the UN is credited with negotiating 172 peaceful settlements that have ended regional conflicts, as well as enabling people in over 45 countries to participate in free and fair elections.

The UN is not a perfect organization, but I firmly believe that it is still a vital institution and an important tool of U.S. foreign policy. If the UN is to become an effective force in securing international peace, then more U.S. leadership and participation will be required, not less. U.S. participation in UN reform must continue to make it as effective as possible to meet the threats of today.

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