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ABOVE: Tammy holds a press conference while in Israel as part of a congressional delegation.
Our role and leadership in the world matters: America is the lone superpower in an increasingly interconnected and interdependent world. Along with that awesome and unprecedented power comes responsibilities to humankind and to the planet itself. America’s reason for maintaining her superpower status must be to export the best of our democratic system of governance and the hope of the American Dream to the rest of the world. But these cherished ideals can’t be exported through force. We must teach and lead by example.
Consequently, being a superpower involves more than having the most powerful military in the world. We cannot be the most powerful nation on earth by having the best weaponry, if the people’s needs are neglected. Nor can we lead by example until we recommit to the basic values of peace, human rights and freedom.
We must recognize that many of the challenges we face as a nation are global in nature, and that America cannot run from those challenges, nor can we tackle them alone. Teaching by example means modeling the behaviors we want others to emulate. We must respect the rule of law. We must respect civil rights and liberties and we must advance equality of opportunity.
We must stand firmly for human rights renouncing in all circumstances torture, assassinations and kidnappings as political tools, illegal detention, cruel and unusual punishment and the death penalty.
The United States of America must renounce the doctrine of preemption, once again promising the world that we will work to build a world of peace where, in the words of President John F. Kennedy, “the weak are safe and the strong are just.”
If we want other nations to work cooperatively to address our world’s threats, challenges and conflicts, we must do the same. We must build up institutions that draw on the input and resources of all nations to solve our global problems. We must act collaboratively.
Burma
After Cyclone Nargis devastated much of Burma and left more than 130,000 people dead or missing in May 2008, the human rights situation in this country deteriorated. In the days after the cyclone hit, Burma’s isolationist regime delayed the entry of United Nations planes delivering medicine and rejected the United States’ offer of assistance.
I believe the U.S. must continue to highlight the terrible human rights abuses occurring in Burma, including torture, forced labor, arbitrary arrest, child labor, rape and murder. I support the full range of U.S. sanctions against the ruling regime unit until it ends human rights abuses. I am proud of the efforts of activists throughout the United States and the world to draw attention to the plight of the Burmese people, and especially proud that the Free Burma Coalition had its roots in Wisconsin.
China
The Chinese government has a record of persecuting and imprisoning individuals who openly criticize the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The U.S. State Department estimates that China's government is holding at least 260,000 people, including pro-democracy activists and members of the Falun Gong spiritual movement, in ideological “reeducation” camps. Additionally, China has been repeatedly criticized for: tightening control of its media and restriction of free expression, discriminating against people with HIV/AIDS, failing to allow individuals to form independent trade unions and bargain collectively, seeking to eliminate support for Tibetan independence, and increasing the number of forced, and sometimes violent, evictions that took place as part of China’s preparation for the 2008 Olympic Games.
I believe that the United States should continue to engage China in an ongoing dialogue. America’s interests should not be limited to economic concerns, and should broadly reflect our democratic values of free speech, freedom of religion, the right to privacy, and the right to organize.
Colombia
I am very concerned about the human rights situation in Colombia. Years of civil war, anti-drug efforts, and state sanctioned repression have resulted in more than 1.6 million displaced persons, many of them children. Paramilitary death squads and revolutionary guerrillas have led to an escalation of violence over the past decade. The unwillingness of the Colombian government to prevent a paramilitary campaign of violent repression has left the average Colombian with few options for security and a decent livelihood.
I traveled to Colombia in 1993 to see the situation first hand. It was clear that U.S. military aid and equipment that was intended to fight drug traffickers was being misused to suppress political opposition.
Colombia is a top recipient of U.S. foreign aid after Israel and Egypt. In spite of this aid, the Colombian government has made no serious efforts to disband right-wing paramilitary groups. Aid to Colombia must be directed to address the humanitarian crisis, the economic crisis, and to support democratic accountability. I believe that our military aid only results in more violence in Colombia.
I will continue to work closely with Colombian human rights activists, like the Madison-based Colombia Support Network, to develop a sensible U.S. policy in Colombia. We need a policy focused on helping the people, not escalating the violence. I will oppose additional military aid under the current circumstances.
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women
(CEDAW)
I believe it is critically important that the United State be a world leader in eliminating discrimination against women. The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) requires nations to take action to equalize the status of women to provide equal opportunity to fully participate in social, political and economic life. CEDAW is awaiting ratification by the U.S. Senate. The United States is one of a handful of countries that has not ratified the treaty. I strongly support the ratification.
Cuba
Our current policy of isolating Cuba is a relic of the Cold War which is doing little to create political change, but clearly is causing continued hardship for the people of Cuba. With almost 45 years of isolation, we are not closer to achieving our policy objectives. As a member of the bipartisan Congressional Cuba Working Group, I believe it is in the best interest of the United States and the Cuban people to increase our educational, economic, and political contacts. Thus, I believe we need to engage in a comprehensive review of our nation’s policy toward Cuba and evaluate other approaches. In addition, I have voted to reverse U.S.-Cuba travel restrictions and lift the embargo.
Darfur
Despite numerous peace agreements and resolutions, the humanitarian crisis in Darfur has continued to worsen. Thus far, as many as 300,000 Darfurians have been killed, and more than 2.7 million have been displaced – with the majority of victims being women and children. A number of humanitarian operations have also been attacked and disrupted, leaving millions of people without access to basic assistance. In addition, years of intensifying conflict between the Sudanese army, its Janjaweed militias, and the growing number of rebel factions, has spread the conflict to areas of Chad, the Central African Republic, and Sudanese states to the east of Darfur.
I believe that the United States, in conjunction with the U.N., must make greater strides to bring the crisis to an end, and I have continually supported efforts aimed at achieving this goal. I supported legislation calling on the U.N. Security Council to approve a trained and adequate Darfur peacekeeping mission; emergency appropriations increasing funding of the African Union peacekeepers; and legislation directing the President to block the assets of, and deny visas and U.S. entry to, any individual associated with acts of genocide, war crimes or crimes against humanity in Sudan. I will continue to support efforts to end the atrocities and provide humanitarian assistance to the people in Darfur.
Defense Spending
I believe that current U.S. defense policy reflects excessive spending, misplaced priorities, wrong choices, and a failure to make hard decisions. I also am concerned that Congress has failed to assert any meaningful oversight over the war in Iraq which has been mismanaged from the very beginning.
The House-passed version of the Fiscal Year 2009 Defense Authorization Act will set our annual defense spending at $612.5 billion, including $70 billion for war-related costs. This does not include supplemental war funding not yet – but anticipated to be – requested by the Administration, and not yet appropriated by Congress, so the overall estimate for defense spending in fiscal year 2009 is $706 billion. We now spend just shy of a million dollars a minute, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year on defense spending.
Not only is our current defense budget a record, it also is nearly as large as the defense budgets of every other country in the world combined. According to estimates by the Center for Arms Control and Nonproliferation, all nations except for the United States are spending a total of $761.1 billion. This includes our NATO allies.
I take extremely seriously my oath of office that obligates me to provide for the protection of the American people. Ensuring our common defense is critical, but like other federal government programs, we are bound to ensure that each dollar is spent wisely. The Fiscal Year 2007 Defense Authorization Act required the President’s budget to include a request for estimated full year costs of operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and a detailed justification of the funds. This was an appropriate and much-needed Congressional oversight of nearly $700 billion in supplemental funding requests outside the standard budget request and justification procedures – reckless fiscal behavior to match reckless war policy.
Hunger, Poverty & Debt Relief
There are nearly 1 billion people – 200 million families – living below the international poverty line. I believe the United States must live up to its promise to fight global poverty and we must strive to find creative, effective ways to reach those most in need around the world.
I am a strong supporter of fully funding the Millennium Challenge Account and other aid programs, such as the Food for Peace Program, that help the poorest nations. The Millennium Challenge Account provides support for developing countries that promote democracy and the rule of law, invest in their citizens, and pursue free-market economic policies.
I also support international microcredit models like Dr. Muhammad Yunus’ Grameen Bank. Dr. Yunus was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for developing an economically feasible model of extending very small loans, at competitive interest rates, to the very poor. For the past thirty years, this model has changed millions of lives and been emulated around the globe.
I also support increasing debt relief, development assistance and health care funding for sub-Saharan Africa. According to the World Bank, the 58 most indebted countries owed $426 billion to foreign creditors in 2004. To repay the loans, these countries are forced to eliminate important investments in schools, health care, roads, communications and agriculture that are essential for economic development. In addition, these nations have faced falling commodity prices that have undermined their ability to repay their debts. The average African country spends twice as much on debt repayment as they spend on providing health care.
International Adoptions
On April 1, 2008, the United States became a full member of the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption. As a result, the Convention now governs intercountry adoptions between the United States and the more than 70 countries that have already joined. The United States works with member countries to ensure that adoptions are based on what is best for the child, and to prevent the abduction, sale of, or trafficking of children.
I am deeply concerned about the potential problems facing individuals seeking to adopt orphaned children from countries that are not members of the Hague Convention. I fully support dialogue at the highest levels to assist these countries in moving forward to establish a Hague-compliant adoption system that will be in the best interest of orphaned children.
Iran
According to many accounts, the Bush Administration and others in the Pentagon are actively pursuing plans to take military action against Iran. We know based on previous experience that President Bush has used seemingly innocuous resolutions as a basis for asserting Congressional support for going to war in Iraq. I cannot and will not vote for legislation that would appear to condone military action against Iran. While I feel that any threat imposed by Iran must be addressed swiftly and skillfully, I believe that it is vital that our country first employ diplomatic, not militaristic, measures. In addition, I firmly believe that the President cannot legally initiate military action against Iran without first coming to Congress for authorization.
Laos and the Hmong
The Hmong have been stalwart allies of the U.S. since the Vietnam War, when many Hmong fought alongside U.S. soldiers and were a vital part of the war effort. Their bravery was unsurpassed and they have remained our allies since. After the war and the formation of the Communist government in Laos, the Hmong were persecuted by the Laotian government largely because of their assistance to the U.S. during the war. Such circumstances have caused Hmong from persecuted communities to seek refuge and asylum in other nations. Of grave concern to me are the Hmong refugees in Thailand who are in imminent danger of being forcibly repatriated to Laos. According to a humanitarian organization working at the refugee camp, the Thai government has been involuntarily sending Hmong refugees back to Laos since 2005. This is simply unacceptable. These refugees deserve to be protected in Thailand until they can be resettled in a different country.
As you are likely aware, approximately 170,000 Hmong currently reside in the United States in such areas as Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Rhode Island, and approximately 270 Hmong refugees have resettled so far in Dane County. Many Hmong-Americans have family members who are still in Southeast Asia who are currently in Thai detention facilities awaiting resettlement.
I believe that the United States must remain committed to recognizing the service of the Hmong people and providing a safe haven for Hmong refugees. I will continue to support efforts to address violence against members of the Hmong community in Laos and Thailand.
Middle East
In so many ways, the political, diplomatic and military situation in the Middle East is vexing. I strongly support Israel’s right to defend itself against terrorist attacks. I likewise recognize that mounting a military defense against Hezbollah terrorists in urban settings is impossible to do without causing the loss of innocent civilian life, damage to civilian infrastructure and a humanitarian crisis.
I value the close relationship between the United States and Israel that has developed over the last half century. It is clear that the State of Israel has become an integral part of the Middle East and normalizing relations between Israel and its neighbors is critically important to future economic development and security in the region.
Addressing the plight of the Palestinian people must be a part of any long-term solution. It is simply unacceptable for the Palestinian people to spend another fifty years living in refugee camps. Creating political stability is a prerequisite for developing economic opportunity and hope for the future.
All sides need to take immediate steps to break the cycle of violence so that long-term peace negotiations can resume. Each side must assume responsibility for stopping the escalation of violence and retaliation. No one in the region is going to feel secure until real progress is made on a long-term resolution to the many issues that divide Israel, the Palestinians and other countries in the region.
I believe that strong support for a Middle East peace process is clearly in the best interest of the United States. As we have under previous administrations, the United States should play a leadership role in working constructively to secure a permanent peace in the Middle East.
Nuclear Weapons
Limiting the threat of nuclear war should be one of our highest defense priorities. I believe engagement with nations that have or are developing nuclear capability (including Iran, India, Pakistan, China and North Korea) is the best way to prevent the development and use of nuclear weapons.
I strongly support the Treaty on the Nonproliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) objectives to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and weapons technology, to promote cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and to further the goal of achieving nuclear disarmament.
School of the Americas/WHISEC
I believe we should close the Army’s School of the Americas (SOA), renamed the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation (WHISEC). The United States should not be in the business of training military personnel in techniques that could be used for torture, murder and political repression.
To this day, U.S. and Latin American human rights organizations, as well as journalists, continue to document SOA graduates implicated in human rights violations and other criminal acts. I believe that Congressional action to close this training center for repression and human rights violations is long overdue.
Trade Agreements & Fast Track Trade Negotiating Authority
The role trade agreements play is an important issue that has appropriately emerged as a national and international debate. The terms on which we conduct international trade are vital to answering some of the most fundamental questions about what our nation and the world will be like in the next century. I strongly believe that human rights, environmental protection and workers rights must be included as part of any trade negotiations and agreements.
That said, I have been repeatedly disappointed by recent trade agreements. I believe that our nation rushes into free trade agreements without taking the necessary care to assess the impact on our own workforce and the impact on the welfare of the population and environment of the foreign countries. I support a strong and healthy American manufacturing sector – our country’s economic success has been built in large part by our ability to make efficient, useful, quality products. Our technology industry, likewise, was critical to the economic boom of the 1990s. I believe that recent trade pacts have contributed to our loss of manufacturing jobs and high-tech IT positions, hurt our nation’s trade competitiveness, and caused many corporations to relocate overseas, taking jobs with them.
I also am highly skeptical about fast track negotiating authority. Previous grants of fast track authority have resulted in trade agreements sorely lacking in human rights, environmental protection and workers rights provisions. Because fast track was granted, these agreements were not amendable by the Congress. Unless fast track authority clearly identifies these basic standards as minimum requirements for any agreement, I am likely to vote against providing fast track authority to any President.
United Nations
I support the active involvement of the United States as a leading member of the United Nations. As the world becomes increasingly interdependent through global trade, travel, and expanded communications, it is critical that nations find ways to work together cooperatively to enhance peace and security, promote global health, exchange information, and provide educational opportunities.
Since the United States led the effort to create the United Nations after World War II, the UN has achieved some very important successes. For example, The World Health Organization, a UN entity, led the successful effort to eliminate the scourge of smallpox. Due to its efforts, this fatal disease was eradicated in 1977. And now we are just a year or two away from eliminating polio, as well.
In addition, the UN is credited with negotiating 172 peaceful settlements that have ended regional conflicts, as well as enabling people in over 45 countries to participate in free and fair elections.
The UN is not a perfect organization, but I firmly believe that it is still a vital institution and an important tool of U.S. foreign policy. If the UN is to become an effective force in securing international peace, then more U.S. leadership and participation will be required, not less. U.S. participation in UN reform must continue to make it as effective as possible to meet the threats of today.
War on Drugs
Despite the flurry of government activity and the expenditure of billions of taxpayer dollars to reduce the use of illegal drugs, their use in the U.S. has not been significantly mitigated. I am convinced that our approach focuses far too much on trying to stem the supply of illegal drugs and far too little on treatment and rehabilitation.
I also am concerned about how our government has conducted its international War on Drugs. Of particular concern are our government’s efforts in Colombia and other nations to use military aid to try to shut down the supply of drugs. Many times this military aid ends up being misused by corrupt individuals and groups to terrorize those participating in trade unions, farm collectives and political opposition, rather than to fight drug traffickers.
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