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.

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 the Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act, which would impose sanctions on individuals and entities responsible for these human rights abuses.

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. Additionally, Michigan has witnessed unacceptable Russian aggression with the wrongful detainment of fellow Michigander, Paul Whelan, who has fortunately been released and reunited with his family after over 5 years in captivity.

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.

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.

To monitor China’s growing presence on the world stage, in the 118th Congress, 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 has helped 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.

Afghanistan

During the Afghanistan War, I advocated for commonsense measures to save American lives and provide resources to increase the safety of our troops in the region. President Biden’s bungled withdrawal and reliance on the Taliban for security assistance put the lives of American service members at risk. This tragically resulted in 13 American service members losing their life due to a suicide bombing. In response to the mishandled withdrawal from 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.

Israel

Since Israel’s founding, the United States has demonstrated its commitment to Israel’s security and has maintained close defense and diplomatic cooperation. In 2016 the House supported and then PresidentObama signed into law a long-term Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on military assistance to Israel, which will provide security assistance to Israel for ten years.

On October 7, 2023, Iran-backed Hamas terrorists began attacking Israel via air, sea, and ground killing over one thousand Israelis and kidnapping hundreds more. Hamas has committed unspeakable acts of violence, and we must continue to stand with Israel as they defend themselves.

Iran

Iran continues its efforts to undermine vital U.S. interests and cause instability around the globe. We must hold Iran accountable through a maximum pressure approach and eliminate Iran’s ambitions to obtain nuclear weapons. The United States must secure a deal to fully dismantle Iran’s nuclear program, which will uphold the security of the American people and our allies around the world.

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 undermine global security.

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 a light on how American tax dollars are being misspent.