The United States must set a strong example for other nations to follow in our foreign affairs. As a country, we should pursue all options available to prevent armed conflict while supporting the security of our allies. As the global voice of freedom and democracy, America should continue to serve as a model for peace and security across the world.

Support for human rights is an important part of promoting peace, security, democracy, and the rule of law. Every person, regardless of where they live, deserves an equal opportunity to succeed. I will continue to promote policies that stand up for the rights of all individuals around the world. And, I support the United States’ continued leadership to help ensure that all countries live up to their promises on human rights.

One of the primary roles of Congress is to ensure the peace and security of the United States. As a member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, and as chairman of its Intelligence Modernization and Readiness Subcommittee, I am working hard to protect Americans here at home. In combating terrorist activities, the United States must continue to take a leading role in building partnerships and coordinating activities with both foreign governments and multilateral organizations.

I support a two-state solution for Israel and the Palestinians, with Israel recognized as a Jewish state with secure borders alongside a state for the Palestinian people which is demilitarized and no longer threatens Israel with terrorism. While the United States should be playing a supporting role, any final agreement must be negotiated and agreed to by the Israelis and Palestinians. That is why it is so important the Palestinians not go to the United Nations and instead negotiate directly with Israel, without pre-conditions.

I supported the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on nuclear arms reached in 2015 by Iran, China, France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States. I opposed President Trump’s decision to withdraw us from that agreement; we must  play a leadership role in dismantling Iran’s nuclear capabilities, or, when a violation occurs, be able to take action against Iran with international cooperation.

What I am Doing for You

I introduced H.R. 1267, the Prevent Corrupting Foreign Influence Act, to make it a criminal offense for the President, the Vice President, their families, or companies in which they have at least half-ownership to accept or receive anything of value from a foreign power or from any company that is more than 50 percent controlled by a foreign power. The Constitution and current laws already civilly prohibit government employees – including elected officials, but not their relatives – from receiving “emoluments” or gifts from foreign states except as allowed by Congress. This bill would expand the prohibition’s scope from merely gifts to include “anything of value,” and expand the prohibition’s application: for sources, to include companies controlled by foreign countries; and for recipients, to include the President’s and Vice President’s immediate family members and companies they control. (I previously introduced this bill in the 116th and 115th Congresses.)

I led 24 other members of Congress in writing a May 2021 letter to Dr. Fang Liu, Secretary-General of the International Civil Aviation Organization, to request the immediate appointment of a task force to investigate and publicly report on Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko’s unprecedented use of a military aircraft to intercept and force down a commercial flight.

I cosponsored H.R. 1456, the Peace Corps Reauthorization Act of 2021, a bipartisan bill to provide additional federal funding and resources to advance the Peace Corps’ mission around the world and better support current, returning, and former Peace Corps volunteers.

I cosponsored H.R. 556, the Global Health, Empowerment, and Rights (Global HER) Act, to permanently repeal the Global Gag Rule that prohibits foreign organizations from receiving U.S. global health assistance if they provide information, referrals, or services for legal abortion or advocate for the legalization of abortion in their country, even if these activities are supported solely with non-U.S. funds. 

I'm an original cosponsor of H.R. 3576, the Reproductive Rights are Human Rights Act, to direct the State Department to permanently include reviews on the status of reproductive rights in its annual human rights reports. The ability to access reproductive care is a key part of the survival and success of women, girls, and LGBTQI+ people around the world, and the State Department’s human rights reports empower lawmakers to take action against bad actors, enact policy, and advocate for the fair treatment of all people. 

I cosponsored H.R. 1155, the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, a bipartisan bill to ensure that goods made with forced labor in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China do not enter the United States market.

In the 116th Congress:

I cosponsored H.R. 2118, the Iran Ballistic Missiles and International Sanctions Enforcement Act, which would expand sanctions against Iran in regards to their ballistic missile program.

I cosponsored H.R. 2488, the U.S.-Israel Cybersecurity Center of Excellence Act, which would require the Secretary of State to submit a report on potential benefits and impact to the United States of establishing a joint cybersecurity center of excellence with Israel.

I cosponsored H.R. 1837, the United States-Israel Cooperation Enhancement and Regional Security Act, to continue the security relationship between the U.S. and Israel.

In earlier Congresses:

I've visited Afghanistan twice to meet with military leaders and troops for on-the-ground updates about our efforts to ensure the peaceful transfer of power and root out militant Islamic terrorism. I support continued aid and humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan so they may live in peace and security.

I voted in favor of the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act , which would impose additional sanctions on Iran, North Korea, and Russia.

In February 2018, I visited Vienna, Austria, to be briefed on oversight of the Iran nuclear deal, and Tbilisi, Georgia, to discuss Russian aggression toward Georgia, NATO and the West.