We are living in an extraordinary time in world history. America remains the world’s dominant super power with the strongest economy and most powerful military. Many people around the globe are overcoming poverty and new economies and democracies are emerging. But while it is a time of promise, we are also facing serious and dangerous threats. Terrorism, the spread of nuclear weapons, and fallout from other countries that are being torn apart by civil war and strife are just a few of the major challenges we are up against. At the same time, our planet is becoming a much smaller and more interconnected place with new technologies and global commerce.

We need strong leadership to help navigate these challenges to put the interests of our nation and people first, not politics. That means not only being vigilant and relentless, but also strong and wise. We need to work together to give our military and intelligence agencies the tools they need to keep us safe, and also protect and defend the ideals that define us as the world’s greatest democracy.

Keeping Americans safe is my greatest responsibility as your representative in Congress. And as a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, I’m proud to work regularly with people in both parties to strengthen America’s security and global leadership.