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Foreign Policy

Foreign Aid

I believe America has an indispensable role to play in promoting health, opportunity, human rights, democracy, and freedom around the world. And therefore, I believe a strong commitment to foreign aid is vital.

Each year, I support requests of billions of dollars in appropriations for diplomacy, the Peace Corps, humanitarian assistance, international basic education, global health programs, and other forms of economic and material aid that have been shown to save lives and promote peace for very little investment on our part.

Armenia

I'm committed to strengthening the U.S.-Armenia relationship. Our countries share deep economic ties, and I'm proud to support our foreign aid to Armenia each year. But I know we can do more. That is why I have also called for a new double tax treaty to help businesses here who also do business in Armenia to thrive and bring our countries closer in mutual prosperity.

Standing with Armenia also means standing with the people of Nagorno-Karabakh who have been under attack by Azerbaijan since their peaceful call for self-determination. Azerbaijan's violent response is unacceptable. That is why I have consistently called to suspend aid to Azerbaijan as long as they continue their aggression against the Armenian people, and I am working to ensure that the United States does everything in our power to protect the displaced people of Artsakh fleeing Azerbaijan’s aggression.

Finally, it is time for the world to recognize the historical reality of the Armenian Genocide. The horrific and intentional murder of Armenians will not be forgotten and cannot be ignored. I was so proud to support the House resolution that acknowledged the Armenian Genocide. This resolution and a formal statement by President Biden including the Armenian Genocide finally put the U.S. firmly on the right side of history. I will continue to speak out until the entire world does the right thing and acknowledges the tragedy of the Armenian Genocide.

Israel & Palestine

Israelis and Palestinians alike deserve to live in peace and security. That is why I am committed to working toward a permanent peace, with two states living side-by-side. These goals have tragically been set back since the horrific Hamas terror attacks in Israel on October 7, 2023. There is no excuse for Hamas’s terrorism, and following the attacks I spoke out in support of Israel’s right to defend itself and I have stood steadfastly against those who try to delegitimize Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state. The ensuing war, however, has taken an unacceptably devastating toll on Palestinian lives and threatens to further undermine prospects of a permanent peace. That is why I have called for an immediate, negotiated ceasefire to end the fighting, secure every hostage’s release, and surge humanitarian aid into Gaza. These must be the first steps toward ending the cycles of violence and suffering, and working toward permanent peace.

The expansion of Israeli settlements and the destruction of Palestinian villages in the West Bank also make a negotiated two-state solution more difficult. That is why I consistently call for Israel to halt these destructions. I am also troubled by the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and have advocated for robust assistance to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA). UN aid is critical to providing services in Gaza, where more than 50 percent of the children live beneath the poverty level and 95 percent of tap water is not safe to drink. The decision to cut aid will exacerbate humanitarian and security issues.

Ultimately, I continue to believe that a negotiated agreement that establishes two states living side-by-side in peace and security remains the only solution to the ongoing conflict. Questions of borders, governance, terrorism, and refugees loom large. But these problems can be resolved through the Israelis and Palestinians sitting down to negotiate together, with the support of the U.S. government.

Ukraine

In February 2022, President Putin of Russia launched an illegal, inhumane invasion of Ukraine. I believe that the United States has a responsibility to stand up for the ideals of self-determination and democracy around the world, and to help the people of Ukraine protect themselves and the democracies of Europe against this horrific invasion. A Russian victory would embolden Putin and autocracies around the world and significantly harm our national security. As a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, which has jurisdiction over international trade, I was proud to quickly work to place trade sanctions on Russian products in response to this invasion. I have consistently voted to support Ukraine and send along humanitarian and military assistance so that they can defend their sovereignty, their democracy, and their people from Russia’s invasion.