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
I am appalled and horrified at continuing reports about the inhumane treatment of migrants, especially migrant children, at our Southern border. President Trump's immigration policies are harming families and casting a dark and shameful shadow on this nation.
Three Oregon members of Congress are part of a group asking U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to urge key allies to halt the consumption of cats and dogs as he travels through the Middle East and Asia this week.
Still, Bonamici said Thursday (Oct. 25) at a Westside Economic Alliance forum, "Our side of the aisle is taking steps that if we are in the majority, we will respect minority rights."
During the past eight years, she said, Republican majorities have rammed through key bills — such as the 2017 tax-code overhaul, which cost $1.5 trillion over 10 years — without consideration for the Democratic minority.
Bonamici gave a general overview of issues that surfaced at other town hall meetings, ranging from healthcare and immigrant family separations, to the environment, Social Security, Medicare and the Trump administration.
Bonamici began by explaining her view on healthcare, a topic she said many are worried about. "I'm interested in strengthening access to health care, not taking it away," she said. "We need to work together to find a way to make sure that people have access to health care."
Bonamici, a Democrat, held the meeting as part of a swing through the district she represents, Oregon's First Congressional District in the northwestern part of the state. After being introduced by Banks Fire Chief Rodney Linz — the meeting was held at the Banks Fire District's station in downtown Banks — she talked for a few minutes about her legislative priorities before taking questions from constituents.
Bonamici discussed the Family Case Management Program, a pilot program created in 2016 that aimed to keep families seeking asylum together. Former President Barack Obama created the program in response to a refugee crisis in Central America, and it was shut down last year.
“A lot of them are seeking asylum for religious persecution,” Bonamici said. “Isn’t that what United States is about?”
WASHINGTON (Circa) — Several House Republicans said Wednesday they accepted President Donald Trump’s explanation that he misspoke at a press conference with Russian President Vladimir Putin when he said he saw no reason why Russia would have interfered in the 2016 election.