Foreign Affairs and National Security
It is critical that we maintain America’s role as a leader in the international community. The use of force should always be a last resort and diplomacy must be emphasized in all of our relationships around the world. As a member of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, I understand the importance of working with other countries to find peaceful solutions wherever possible, maintaining a focus on diplomacy, democracy, human rights, and development.
We have the best military in the world and I am dedicated to supporting our troops. It is important, however, to be realistic about our defense spending and what is truly necessary for our national security. Our spending should focus on what our military needs to keep our country safe—like investments in intelligence and cybersecurity—not what makes good politics.
Terrorist attacks and the growth of ISIL across the globe demand action and collaboration with allies. Unfortunately, however, we have also seen an increase in hateful rhetoric toward refugees and immigrants. We must maintain our focus on keeping our nation safe and secure, but we cannot allow discrimination to dictate our nation’s policies. Any refugee seeking to come to the United States must go through an intensive and lengthy screening process. In our nation, diversity makes us stronger. With that strength we must summon our collective humanity to provide a place for refugees, many of whom are women and children, fleeing war and terrorism.
More on Foreign Affairs and National Security
The Senate’s acquittal of President Trump on two articles of impeachment officially brought the trial to an end but hundreds of people in Portland still gathered in a public display of opposition.
Rep. Suzanne Bonamici said, “Acquitting Trump without a fair trial sets a dangerous precedent for current and future Presidents to exploit. History will judge the Senate for failing to uphold its Constitutional duty to provide checks and balances”.
Oregon Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici criticized the Senate’s acquittal of President Trump Wednesday saying too many members of the body “failed to put country before party.”
“Acquitting Trump without a fair trial sets a dangerous precedent for current and future Presidents to exploit,” she said. “History will judge the Senate for failing to uphold its Constitutional duty to provide checks and balances.”
Today the President released a Middle East “peace plan” that was soon followed by an announcement that Israel plans to move forward unilaterally with annexing settlements in the West Bank. This is not a viable path to a two-state solution, which must be negotiated between Israelis and Palestinians. Cementing the status quo would further deteriorate any trust among the two parties and diminish the possibility of achieving a peaceful resolution that respects the rights of Palestinians and ensures the long-term security of a democratic Israel.
U.S. Reps. Earl Blumenauer and Suzanne Bonamici were among those named by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to a working group on the agreement, which was amended to deal with concerns House Democrats raised on labor and environmental standards, drug pricing and enforcement provisions.
In a statement timed with the Dec. 19 vote, Bonamici said this:
Oregon and Southwest Washington members of Congress stuck to their partisan lines Thursday on a vote seeking to curb President Trump’s ability to wage war against Iran.
Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Ore., countered in a statement that the House was right to take a clear stand against actions by a president that “risks dragging us into another war.”
U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici was in the majority when the U.S. House voted Thursday to pass a resolution to check President Donald Trump's ability to go to war with Iran.
Bonamici's statement following the vote: "Passing a War Powers Resolution today was a clear stand — backed by the powers the Constitution granted to Congress — against President Trump's reckless decisions that escalated tensions with Iran, endangered our troops, and risked dragging us into another war.
Oregon and Washington lawmakers are calling for a de-escalation of tensions between the U.S. and Iran following two Iranian missile strikes on bases housing U.S. troops in Iraq.