We need a foreign policy based on our values. That means centering human rights, justice and peace as the pillars of America's engagement in the world, and making military action a last resort.

We must acknowledge the damage done when we fail to live up to international human rights standards - to our global neighbors and ourselves. We need laws and institutions that ensure our values are upheld regardless of short-term political convenience. Countless foreign wars of choice have resulted in shameful harm to people around the world, made our country less safe, and wasted valuable resources that could be used here at home. At the same time, we have failed to support allies who supported us, and defend the defenseless when it was inconvenient to us.

In the richest country in the world, people can’t afford rent and groceries but Congress always finds money to drop bombs on people - in “other” parts of the world. As your congressman, I would actively oppose  the Democratic leadership’s complicity in our warmongering status quo. We cannot “bomb our way to peace.” Instead, I would rein in the imperial Presidency and reassert the role of Congress in resolving international conflicts peacefully through diplomacy. No President should have the power to threaten our allies or try to “own” other sovereign countries. We will deepen our commitment to and integration in institutions of international law. America and the world will be safer when we abide by our values and ensure we and our allies always respect human rights. 

I will support legislation to join the International Criminal Court, because no President should be above the law. I will support rebuilding and reimagining USAID to invest in global health, flourishing, and peace. I will oppose aid to any country committing war crimes and fix the Leahy Law to make sure no President can ignore the law when he wants. I will support limits on covert actions and reform the War Powers Act to end the President’s ability to launch attacks without Congressional authorization. I will support an end to our failed embargo of Cuba and end broad sanctions, because disagreements between governments should not impoverish any people. I will support self determination from Palestine to Ukraine, because human rights must be universal to be meaningful. 

Let us be architects of peace with justice, not merely for our time, but for all time. America will lead not by wishful words, but by material works.