Foreign Affairs

Our nation is faced with a variety of challenges abroad; below are my views on a number of issues that I continue to monitor in Congress.

Combating Religious Persecution

As a former pastor, I am deeply concerned about the persecution of religious minorities throughout the world. Throughout my time in Congress I have supported measures to enhance religious freedoms, including the Frank Wolf International Religious Freedom Act, which was signed into law and strengthens our efforts to address growing religious persecution and violent extremism around the world. In the past, I voted in favor of H.Res.407, where the House of Representatives passed the resolution condemning the persecution of Christians around the world, and reaffirmed that religious freedom is a fundamental right of every individual, and should never be abridged by any government.

More recently, I cosponsored H.Res.500, a resolution Condemning the Chinese Communist Party for 100 years of gross violations of human rights and standing with the Chinese people in their struggle for liberty. I have also supported measures to combat religious persecution and human rights violations in China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous region. In 2020, Congress passed and President Trump signed into law S.3744, which would impose sanctions on individuals and entities responsible for these human rights abuses. In 2020, I also voted in support of H.R. 1155, which would take action to combat efforts by the Chinese government to harass, intimidate or surveil the Uyghur ethnic group.

Russia

Russia's invasion of Ukraine warrants decisive consequences. The United States and our allies must present a posture of strength against Russia's unprovoked aggression by imposing far-reaching and crippling sanctions and lending support to Ukraine. Before the invasion, I cosponsored H.R.6367, Guaranteeing Ukrainian Autonomy by Reinforcing its Defense (GUARD) Act. The comprehensive legislation would substantially and immediately increase material support for Ukrainian Armed Forces, strengthen sanctions of Russia's Nord Stream 2 pipeline, and establish diplomatic and military deterrents to counter Russia's aggression. Additionally, Michigan has witnessed unacceptable Russian aggression with the wrongful detainment of fellow Michigander, Paul Whelan.

The strategy of the United States and our allies must include comprehensive solutions and correct root causes of Putin's aggression, not simply reactionary measures. The trajectory of our energy supply has become increasingly concerning as the Biden Administration took bureaucratic action to limit domestic energy production and in turn, we became more reliant on Russian energy. In September 2021, I took to the House floor to warn of the consequences of ceding energy reliance to adversaries and allowing Russia to become our second largest oil importer. It is a geopolitical imperative that we do not rely on adversaries for energy production, so I cosponsored H.R.6858, American Energy Independence from Russia Act. The commonsense legislation would require President Biden to make an energy security plan within 30-days and take action to unleash America's oil and natural gas production to offset Russian imports.

China

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations with China more than 40 years ago, the United States has sought a constructive relationship with China. However, over the years, China has chosen a path of economic aggression and has sought to assert its power and influence around the world.

I have offered amendments to curb the CCP’s use of forced labor as well as cosponsored legislation condemning the CCP’s human rights violations.

To further monitor China’s growing presence on the world stage, I voted in support of H. Res. 11, which established a bipartisan Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party. The establishment of this committee will help to ensure American leadership on the world stage while holding China accountable by providing policy recommendations to prevent supply chain threats, help the U.S. lead in emerging technologies, bolster our national security, maintain our energy independence, and grow our economy in order to better compete against China.

Additionally, I cosponsored H.R.809, Prohibition of Agricultural Land for the People’s Republic of China Act.This legislation would prohibit the purchase of public or private agricultural land in the United States by foreign nationals associated with the Government of the People's Republic of China (PRC) or the Communist Chinese Party (CCP) and is an important first step in securing our domestic food supply, countering Chinas growing threat, and putting American families and farmers first.

I will also continue to fully investigate the origins of COVID-19 and the mishandling of the initial outbreak by the CCP. I voted in support of the formation of the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic, which has been tasked with investigating the origins of COVID-19, including the use of federal funds for gain-of-function research as well as the federal government’s response to the pandemic. I will also continue to work with my colleagues on the House Energy and Commerce Committee to pursue transparency and will continue to hold the CCP accountable for their efforts to conceal information.

Afghanistan

For years, I have advocated for commonsense measures in Afghanistan to save American lives, and also save taxpayer dollars. Bolstering our national security and providing resources to increase the safety of our troops is of the utmost importance, and President Biden’s bungled withdrawal undermined both of these cornerstones of American foreign policy. In response to the mishandled exit of Afghanistan, I offered an amendment signed into law as part of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 to boost our national security by evaluating the military capabilities of the Taliban post-withdrawal and its ability to assist other adversaries with those resources. I also cosponsored H.Res.607, condemning President Biden's failure to heed the advice of military and intelligence advisors about the speed and nature of the Taliban offensive, leading to a disorganized, chaotic, and abrupt evacuation of United States personnel and Afghan allies. In light of this decision, Americans are in more danger at home and abroad and we must increase vigilance now we are under greater threat.

Israel

Since Israel’s founding in 1948, the United States has demonstrated its commitment to Israel’s security and has maintained close defense and diplomatic cooperation with this ally in the Middle East. In 2016 the House supported and then President Obama signed into law a long-term Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on military assistance to Israel, which will provide security assistance to Israel over the next ten years. In 2019, I cosponsored H.R. 1837, the U.S.-Israel Cooperation Enhancement and Regional Security Act, which will help both nations respond effectively to security challenges and deepen our economic cooperation.

After the historic 2020 Abraham Accords agreement, I cosponsored H.Res. 1110, which expresses Congressional support for diplomatic agreements recently signed by Israel with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the Kingdom of Bahrain. These agreements build upon decades of leadership by the United States to encourage peace between Israel and its neighbors.

To build upon our longstanding partnership with Israel, I cosponsored H.R.3792, the U.S.-Israel Partnership and Abraham Accords Enhancement Act, which extends key cooperative programs between the U.S. and Israel and strengthens the Abraham Accords.

Iran

In May 2018, President Trump announced that the United States would terminate its participation in the Iran nuclear deal. I had deep concerns about the nuclear deal with Iran and the dangerous repercussions it had for the United States, Israel, and our allies. To hold Iran accountable, I cosponsored H.R.2718, Maximum Pressure Act. The legislation codifies the Trump Administration's sanctions against Iran and its nuclear program into law. The legislation would also prohibit the President from lifting these sanctions until he can certify to Congress that Iran has met specific requirements outlined in the legislation to promote international safety.

I have cosponsored H. Res. 100, which condemns Iranian state-sponsored human rights abuses and expresses Congressional support for the Iranian people's desire for a democratic, secular, and nonnuclear Republic of Iran. Additionally, I have cosponsored the bipartisan H.Res.214, demanding Iran must cease its enriching uranium and abandon its nuclear weapon program. I have also cosponsored H.R.3152, which imposes sanctions pertaining to Iran’s missile program and H.R. 3774, which imposes additional sanctions with respect to the importation or facilitation of the importation of petroleum products from Iran.

Monitoring Rogue Nations

Congress must stand firm against provocations that threaten the security of our citizens and our allies around the world. The rhetoric and the aggressive actions by North Korea are unacceptable and the United States must take every action to work with our foreign partners and put tremendous economic pressure on the Kim regime to deter them from their nuclear weapons ambitions and undermining global security. In July 2017, the House overwhelming passed H.R.3364, Countering Adversarial Nations Through Sanctions Act, which expands sanctions against: Iran for its ballistic missile activity and human rights abuses; Russia for its destabilizing actions in Ukraine, its hostile cyber and influence activities; as well as North Korea for its recent aggressive weapons activity. The bill was signed into law in August 2017.

The barbaric acts by the Syrian government and the humanitarian crisis it has caused cannot be ignored. The United States should do everything it can to urge other countries not to engage with the Assad regime, economically or diplomatically. In January 2019, the House passed the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act, which imposed sanction on people and entities that knowingly provide support to the Government of Syria. President Trump signed the bill into law and began imposing sanctions in July 2020.

United Nations Accountability

I remain concerned about the efficiency and effectiveness of the United Nations (UN) system. In the past I have cosponsored legislation that would give the U.S. greater say over how our tax dollars are spent at the United Nations. Additionally, any U.S. foreign policy initiative should protect our freedoms at home and abroad.

Foreign Aid

U.S. foreign assistance is not a right, and as a federal legislator I seriously consider all foreign aid requests to ensure taxpayer resources are being used effectively and in a manner that strengthens our nation’s interest abroad.The level of waste is staggering and unacceptable. I will continue to support efforts to improve oversight and shine light on how American tax dollars are being misspent.