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 115th Congress, 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 supported measures to combat religious persecution and human rights violations in China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous region. Congress passed and President Trump signed into law S.3744, which would impose sanctions on individuals and entities responsible for these human rights abuses. I also voted in support of H.R. 6210 and S.178 which would take action to combat efforts by the Chinese government to harass, intimidate or surveil the Uyghur ethnic group.

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. I am a cosponsor of 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.  

I am also a cosponsor of 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.

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, and voted in support of, H.R.1698, Iran Ballistic Missiles and International Sanctions Enforcement Act. The legislation would apply additional sanctions on foreign companies and banks who are facilitating Iran’s missile program. Additionally, I cosponsored of H.R. 5132, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Economic Exclusion Act, which would strengthen the bans on transactions with the IRGC, a known state sponsor of terrorism, and expand mandatory sanctions against them for its human rights violations.

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.  In September 2020, the House Republican China Task Force released their report outlining the actions by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to advance their global dominance.  The report extensively details the strategy China is deploying to undermine the U.S. and our allies at every turn. Included in this report are recommendations to stop supply chain threats, lead in emerging technologies, bolster our national security, maintain our energy independence and grow our economy. To view the complete report, please visit: https://gop-foreignaffairs.house.gov/blog/china-task-force-report/.

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.

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, and voted in support of, H.R.1698, Iran Ballistic Missiles and International Sanctions Enforcement Act. The legislation would apply additional sanctions on foreign companies and banks who are facilitating Iran’s missile program. Additionally, I cosponsored of H.R. 5132, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Economic Exclusion Act, which would strengthen the bans on transactions with the IRGC, a known state sponsor of terrorism, and expand mandatory sanctions against them for its human rights violations.

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. I have long supported greater oversight of federal resources abroad, including certain reconstruction projects in Afghanistan which the Inspector General has found to be wrought with waste.  In July 2018, in response to inquiries made by myself and fellow colleagues, the Inspector General identified $15.5 billion in waste, fraud, and abuse in these projects.  This 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.

LEGISLATION

09/24/2020 – Cosponsor: H.Res.1110 - Supporting the announcements of the establishment of full diplomatic relations between the State of Israel and the United Arab Emirates and the State of Israel and the Kingdom of Bahrain
07/09/2020 – Cosponsor: H.R. 6829 – Expanding Medical Partnerships with Israel to Lessen Dependence on China (EMPIL-DOC) ACT
01/14/2020 – Cosponsor: H.Res.791 - Condemning the actions of the Government of Iran and supporting the protesters in Iran, their demands for accountability, and their desire for the Government of Iran to respect freedom and human rights.
09/11/2019 – Cosponsor: H.Res.552 - Calling on the Government of the Russian Federation to provide evidence of wrongdoing or to release United States citizen Paul Whelan
05/07/2019 – Cosponsor: H.Res.358 - Calling on the Government of Cameroon and armed groups to respect the human rights of all Cameroonian citizens, to end all violence, and to pursue a broad-based dialogue without preconditions to resolve the conflict in the Northwest and Southwest regions.
04/25/2019 – Cosponsor: H.Res.246 - Opposing efforts to delegitimize the State of Israel and the Global Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions Movement targeting Israel.
03/21/2019 – Cosponsor: H.R. 1837, United States-Israel Cooperation Enhancement and Regional Security Act
04/13/2018 – Cosponsor: H.R.5141, United States-Israel Security Assistance Authorization Act of 2018
04/12/2018 – Cosponsor: H.R. 5132, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps  Economic Exclusion Act
04/12/2018 – Cosponsor: Opposing the detention and deportation of Iraqi Chaldean Christians

VIDEOS

10/22/2019 – House Passes Resolution Calling for Paul Whelan's Release
06/16/2016 – Walberg Amendment Prevents Wasteful Afghanistan Infrastructure Spending
05/17/2016 – Walberg Questions White House Narrative on the Iran Nuclear Deal