I support restoring the funding to USAID as we must also use foreign policy to bolster our soft power through foreign aid while at the same time targeting the root causes of migration.

Defend PEPFAR funding, the largest global investment to eradicate HIV/AIDS.

Tie foreign aid to requiring progress on human rights, labor standards, civil rights, democracy and voting rights across the globe.

Demanding enforcement of our laws and rescinding funds for nations who violate our laws, international laws, and/or commit war crimes.   

Support a global framework to tackle AI, climate change, global public health, and economic development initiatives, because when we bring peace across the world, America prospers and Texas thrives. 

Supporting Texas jobs through fair trade agreements.

Placing limits on presidential power to conduct unilateral arms transfers, requiring Congressional approval.

Actively work to rebuild and expand economic relationships with countries big and small.

Stand up to Putin, Xi Jinping, Kim Jong Un, al-Assad and dictators around the world. 

EUROPE: We must support Ukraine as the hostile takeover by Russia rages on.  Russia will not stop at Ukraine.  Putin will go into Poland, which is our NATO ally, triggering US service members to be deployed to fight against Putin’s army. The Senate must also be prepared to stop Trump from taking adverse action against Greenland. We must affirm that the only body with the power to declare war or pull out of NATO is the US Congress, not the White House or the President’s cabinet. 

ASIA: It is important we maintain our special friendship with Taiwan and continue to support their ability to defend themselves as they are constantly under threat by China. Taiwan is the 7th largest merchant trading partner for the US, with over $25 billion in trade with Texas alone. I will support democracy, justice, and security by imposing targeted sanctions on those who are corrupt, commit human rights abuses, and undermine democracy. I will take this same approach with all nations who stand in the way of democracy and threaten justice around the world. As Trump repeatedly makes false claims about ending the conflict between India and Pakistan, I will use diplomacy and leverage our economic ties to bring a positive resolution to the complex dynamics playing out in South Asia including in Bangladesh.

MIDDLE EAST: I was among the earliest members of Congress to call for a ceasefire, demand the release of the hostages held by Hamas, and supported aid to Gaza. I’ve been working to bring peace, even before Oct. 7th. I’ve gone to Israel and Palestine and met with both the Israelis and Palestinians to discuss a two state solution. The US must be intentional in our role to bring peace to the region. Even as of today, scores of children and pregnant women live under constant threat. The civilian death toll, entire generations being wiped out with missile strikes, the ongoing famine, and lack of medical resources cannot stand. 

I have made it clear that I do not support the Netanyahu government. I support the right of Israel to exist and defend itself just as I do for the Palestinian people who deserve self-determination and self-governance in their own nation. I have opposed offensive weapons transfer and will work with my Senate colleagues to rein in executive authority to unilaterally transfer arms and offensive weaponry without approval of the Congress. I am against the illegal settlements and recognize our obligation to help Palestinians rebuild and restore their country. As it relates to Iran, as a civil rights attorney, I can never condone violence against peaceful protestors, censorship, and suppression of the people’s voices. I am standing firm for democracy and self-determination. In the Senate, I will support long-term multilateral relationships with nations in the Middle East to isolate Iran and have long-term stability in the region.

AFRICA: We have not given sufficient attention to our diplomatic ties with Africa. As Trump slashed USAID funding, it reduced our goodwill with the region and created a void that was immediately filled by Russia, China, and India who are expanding their soft power all over the world. These other nations have swooped in to build up hospitals and economic development opportunities with exclusive, exploitative trade relationships, while Trump has us on the retreat. When this is coupled with our failure to resolve certain humanitarian crises and conflicts quickly, we risk being locked out of some of the fastest growing economic regions in the world. One fifth of the world’s population lives in Africa and they deserve fairer representation global multilateral institutions, including through more permanent seats in key decision-making bodies.

In Nigeria, Boko Haram and affiliated groups have unleashed atrocities against civilians, kidnapping, executing, and ravaging parts of Nigeria with human rights abuses and threatening the stability of one of the largest economies in Africa. Air strikes on Christmas are not the answer at all and I condemn those bombings by the Trump Administration. They had minimal effect, the impacts on civilians and casualty numbers remain unknown at the time of publishing, and hurt Nigerian onion farmers during their harvest season. These performative tactics fall short of the leadership the world requires from a nation like ours. I am against deploying American service members to Nigeria, the answer is not more American bombs or boots on the ground. That approach will further destabilize the region and cost American lives. Instead, I support humanitarian efforts and immediate aid relief alongside diplomacy-first efforts leaning on our connections in the region to end the conflict.

In Sudan, we’re witnessing the world’s worst humanitarian crisis with 30 million people needing aid — more than half of those being children — and 14 million Sudanese displaced from their home. I support sanctioning the leaders responsible for war crimes and blocking humanitarian aid. I would like to see a US strategy, including a Special Envoy, to facilitate diplomacy and prohibit major weapons sales to countries fueling the conflict.

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), it is clear that this Administration and its State Department have lost focus on humanitarianism and regional harmony instead it is focused on access to precious minerals and resources. Sadly, Trump has once again prioritized the enrichment of himself, his family, and his billionaire pals who stand to profit from the ongoing regional conflicts. As Trump seeks to conduct transactional diplomacy with the DRC, people are dying from widespread famine, killed by ruthless rebel militias, with more than 6,000 deaths and almost half a million Congolese displaced. Our aid should focus on the bigger picture and ultimately our humanitarian and national security goals. 

SOUTH AMERICA: This is yet another example of a region where we are ceding ground to Xi Jinping while actively straining our regional relationships. The US stands to gain in so many ways through comprehensive foreign policy engagement with South American countries. We must adopt collaborative approaches with our neighbors to the south, not try to strong arm them into kissing the ring. Together, we can work hand in hand to tackle the root causes of migration. We must embrace a multilateral approach to crackdown on transnational cartels, disrupt smuggling and trafficking routes, and go after the traffickers, gang members, and coyotes who wreak havoc across South America. Our allies can also assist us by hosting designated locations across the continent migrants can seek asylum remotely, providing more options and avoiding a life-threatening journey while alleviating any strain at our ports of entry. I support uplifting Paraguay’s relationship with Taiwan and fostering our own economic trade relationships across the region that are mutually beneficial to Texas. Unlike Trump’s bailout of Argentina’s beef industry to the detriment of Texas cattle ranchers, I will urge fair trade agreements and policies to boost Texas agribusiness, manufacturing, energy, and other exports.

In Venezuela, while I oppose the Maduro regime, I wholeheartedly disagree and disavow the President’s unilateral decision to invade Venezuela and kidnap their President. There are dictators around the world that Trump cozies up to, yet he chose to go after the one person who has continuously mocked him. Additionally, I am deeply perturbed by the President’s own admission that he informed the biggest oil executives ahead of his strike. Yet Congress was not informed until much later. This is why I urge the Senate to immediately pass the War Powers Resolution to remove our troops in Venezuela and reaffirm that it is only Congress, not the Executive Branch, who can authorize hostilities against another nation. Trump’s call to his billionaire oil buddies reveals his motives. This was never about helping Venezuela, this is all about their oil reserves helping line the pockets of corrupt billionaires. Texas, is once again hit the hardest by the unlocking of Venezuelan oil reserves that will flood the market to the detriment of the Permian Basin.

CARIBBEAN: We must support Haiti as they struggle to rebuild and  recalibrate after the killing of President Jovenel Moïse. The US must support Haiti with the aid it needs to establish a democratic government that can bring peace, safety, and economic opportunities to the people. We must do our part to help Haiti attain these goals using a variety of diplomatic tools, nonmilitary interventions, medical and humanitarian aid.