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Thad McCotter on Foreign Policy

Republican Representative (MI-11)


Israel is our dear ally and fellow free nation

Q: Do you believe Obama is anti-Israel?

A: His motivations are not the issue. The impact of his policies, both proposed and pursued, have strained our relationship with our dear ally, strategic partner, and fellow free nation Israel. Further, his failure to whole heartedly support freedom movements in Iran & Syria to topple the regimes haven't enhanced US or Israeli security or the hopes for peace.

Source: 2011 Republican primary debate on Twitter.com , Jul 21, 2011

Support the liberation of Tibet

We must oppose the Communist regime's territorial claims over democratic Taiwan, support the liberation of Tibet and the end of genocide in the Sudan, and reinvigorate our allianxces with free Pacific and central Asian nations, especially India.
Source: Seize Freedom, by Rep. Thad McCotter, p.129-133 , Feb 8, 2011

If America falters, there is no other nation to replace her

We the People know that true progress is the expansion of freedom. We know, too, that if America falters or fails in her "last full measure of devotion" to freedom, there is no other nation to replace her. After all, if we turn our backs on freedom, who will take our place and carry its torch? Equally, we must not cede to big government our sovereign power to devise individual and collective solutions to our problems in the pursuit of our happiness. Tyrants claim that absolute order must precede their people's paltry snippets of liberty... which never come. But we understand freedom's paradox: personal liberty leads to national prosperity and security by freeing Americans to establish the true roots of American order.
Source: Seize Freedom, by Rep. Thad McCotter, p. 23 , Feb 8, 2011

Diminish the debased UN; Liberty Alliance instead

Free nations cannot afford to rely on the UN for even an iota of security. Our survival at stake, all free nations must prudently diminish their participation in a debased UN and unite in the cause of human dignity and liberty. To foster the world's newest births of freedom requires a new international home: the Liberty Alliance. The Liberty Alliance could be created from the existing Community of Democracies, but it would be a more focused and potent international organization. It would be dedicate to freedom and steeped in the wisdom that liberty's expansion is the best defense against tyranny. To be a member in the Liberty Alliance, a nation must be free, meeting the alliance's mutually agreed-upon criteria of human and civil rights. Member nations that backslide must be demoted to observer status and, when necessary, expelled from the alliance. Not possessed of a military component, the Liberty Alliance would advance freedom through diplomatic, political, and economic initiatives.
Source: Seize Freedom, by Rep. Thad McCotter, p.135 , Feb 8, 2011

Voted NO on supporting democratic institutions in Pakistan.

Congressional Summary:Pakistan Enduring Assistance and Cooperation Enhancement Act (PEACE Act): Authorizes the President to provide assistance for Pakistan to support democratic institutions; economic development; human rights; health care; and public diplomacy.

Proponent's argument to vote Yes:Rep. IKE SKELTON (D, MO-4): Pakistan is important to the Middle East and our intentions there. Their cooperation, of course, is so very, very important. This legislation gives economic and democratic development assistance to that country.

Rep. HOWARD BERMAN (D, CA-28): We can't allow al Qaeda or any other terrorist group that threatens our national security to operate with impunity in the tribal regions or any other part of Pakistan. Nor can we permit the Pakistani state and its nuclear arsenal to be taken over by the Taliban. To help prevent this nightmare scenario, we need to forge a true strategic partnership with Pakistan and its people, strengthen Pakistan's democrat government, and work to make Pakistan a source of stability in a volatile region.

Opponent's argument to vote No:Rep. ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN (R, FL-18): This bill focuses on past actions and failures attributed to the Pakistani Government, punishing the new leadership for the sins of its predecessors. While the authors of H.R. 1886 may have sought to empower our Pakistani partners to undertake the formidable task of fighting and winning against violent extremists, it does the opposite. We have gone down this road before. I recall during the Iraq debate, Members sought to prejudge the surge strategy before it could even be implemented. Let us hope that this will not be repeated with respect to Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Reference: The PEACE Act; Bill H.R.1886 ; vote number 2009-H333 on Jun 11, 2009

Voted YES on cooperating with India as a nuclear power.

Congressional Summary:US-India Nuclear Cooperation Approval and Nonproliferation Enhancement Act:

Proponent's argument to vote Yes:Rep. HOWARD BERMAN (D, CA-28): Integrating India into a global nonproliferation regime is a positive step. Before anyone gets too sanctimonious about India's nuclear weapons program, we should acknowledge that the five recognized nuclear weapons states have not done nearly enough to fulfill their commitments under the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, including making serious reductions in their own arsenals, nor in the case of the US in ratifying the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty.

Opponent's argument to vote No:Rep. BARBARA LEE (D, CA-9): In withholding my approval, I seek not to penalize the people of India but, rather, to affirm the principle of nuclear nonproliferation. Jettisoning adherence to the international nuclear nonproliferation framework that has served the world so well for more than 30 years, as approval of the agreement before us would do, is just simply unwise. It is also reckless.

Approval of this agreement undermines our efforts to dissuade countries like Iran and North Korea from developing nuclear weapons. By approving this agreement, all we are doing is creating incentives for other countries to withdraw from the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty.

Reference: US-India Nuclear Agreement; Bill HR.7081 ; vote number 2008-H662 on Sep 27, 2008

Voted YES on deterring foreign arms transfers to China.

To authorize measures to deter arms transfers by foreign countries to the People's Republic of China, A YES vote would grant the President the ability to place sanctions on any individual or country that violates the arms embargo, including:
Reference: East Asia Security Act; Bill HR 3100 ; vote number 2005-374 on Jul 14, 2005

Voted YES on reforming the UN by restricting US funding.

To reform the United Nations, by limiting the US contribution to the UN by up to one-half by the year 2007, if the following reforms are not made:
Reference: United Nations Reform Act; Bill HR 2745 ; vote number 2005-282 on Jun 17, 2005

Suspend Russia's participation in the G-8.

McCotter co-sponsored suspending Russia's participation in the G-8

OFFICIAL CONGRESSIONAL SUMMARY: A resolution expressing the sense of Congress that the continued participation of the Russian Federation in the Group of 8 nations should be conditioned on the Russian Government voluntarily accepting and adhering to the norms and standards of democracy.

EXCERPTS OF BILL:

LEGISLATIVE OUTCOME:Referred to Senate Committee on Foreign Relations; never came to a vote.

Source: Russia in the Group of 8 (S.CON.RES.14/H.CON.RES.143) 05-SC14 on Feb 17, 2005

Keep sanctions against Syria until WMDs are dismantled.

McCotter co-sponsored keeping sanctions against Syria until WMDs are dismantled

This bill states that U.S. sanctions and controls relating to Syria shall remain in effect until the President certifies that Syria has ceased support for terrorism, has dismantled biological, chemical, or nuclear weapons programs, and has committed to combat their proliferation, respects the boundaries and sovereignty of all neighboring countries, and upholds human rights and civil liberties.

Also imposes specified trade, assistance, and military sanctions, as appropriate, on persons or countries that transfer goods or technology so as to contribute to Syria's biological, chemical, nuclear, or advanced conventional weapons programs.

Imposes specified sanctions aimed at Syria's energy sector.

Sets forth diplomatic measures intended to isolate the government of Syria.

Directs the President to provide assistance to support a democratic transition in Syria.

Source: Syria Accountability and Liberation Act (H.R.2332) 07-HR2332 on May 15, 2007

Condemns Russia for provocative statements to Georgia.

McCotter co-sponsored condemning Russia for provocative statements to Georgia

A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate regarding provocative and dangerous statements made by the Government of the Russian Federation that undermine the territorial integrity of the Republic of Georgia.

Legislative Outcome: Related bills: H.RES.1166 & S.RES.418; Agreed to by Senate; Passed/agreed to in House, by recorded vote: 390-23 (Roll no. 269).
Source: Resolution on South Ossetia (S. RES. 550) 08-SR550 on May 2, 2008

Withhold UN funding until voluntary and program-specific.

McCotter signed United Nations Transparency, Accountability, and Reform Act

The Congress makes the following findings:
  1. The US pays billions of dollars into the UN system every year (almost $7.7 billion in 2010), significantly more than any other nation.
  2. The UN system suffers from unacceptably high levels of waste, fraud, and abuse, which seriously impair its ability to fulfill the lofty ideals of its founding.
  3. Amidst the continuing financial, corruption, and sexual abuse scandals of the past several years, American public disapproval of United Nations has reached all-time highs: 62% of Americans believe that the UN is doing a poor job
  4. Significant improvements in UN transparency and accountability are necessary for improving public perceptions of and American support for UN operations.
    Source: H.R.2829 11-HR2829 on Aug 30, 2011

    Rated -3 by AAI, indicating a anti-Arab anti-Palestine voting record.

    McCotter scores -3 by AAI on Arab-Israeli issues

    The Arab American Institute has compiled a Scorecard to catalogue the voting record of the 112th Congress on issues of importance to the Arab American community. For the House, we included 15 items: two bills on the Arab Spring, five bills and one letter on Palestine, two bills on Lebanon, three bills and a letter regarding civil liberties, and two bills on immigration.

    1. H.Res. 88 (+): supporting democratic aspirations in Egypt
    2. H.R. 2643 (+): penalizing the Bahraini government for attacking medical personnel
    3. H.R. 1006 (-): the Jerusalem Embassy and Recognition Act
    4. H.R. 1501 (-): withholding US contributions until the UN retracts accusations of Israeli war crimes.
    5. H.Res. 268 (-): opposing any unilateral declaration of a Palestinian state
    6. H.R. 2457 (-): prohibiting any US government document from referring to "Palestine"
    7. H.R. 2829 (-): defunding the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees. The bill's 141 co-sponsors receive a (-).
    8. 8. (+). Rep. David Price (D-NC) and Rep. Peter Welch (D-VT) issued a letter titled "Support Palestinian Aid and Israel's Security," in which they call upon Congress to continue aid to the Palestinian Authority.
    9. H.R. 2215 (*) "to ensure that United States taxpayer dollars are not used to fund terrorist entities in Lebanon
    10. H.R. 996 (+): to raise awareness of the use of cluster munitions where civilians are present
    11. H.R. 140 (-): the "Birthright Citizenship Act, to eliminate "anchor babies" by changing the 14th Amendment.
    12. H. Res. 283 (+): to counter violence and discrimination against Muslim, Arab, Sikh, and South Asian communities
    13. H.R. 1805 (-): authorizing an extension of the USA PATRIOT Act until 2013, and amending the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA)
    14. H.R. 1842 (+): the DREAM Act to protect undocumented minors pursuing higher education.
    15. H.R. 1932 (-): the Keep our Communities Safe Act for greater power to detain undocumented immigrants.
    Source: AAI website 12-AAI-H on May 2, 2012

    Acknowledge the Armenian Genocide of the early 1900s.

    McCotter co-sponsored acknowledging the Armenian Genocide of the early 1900s

    Sen. DURBIN: The definition of "genocide" is "the deliberate and systematic extermination of a national, racial, political, or cultural group." Scholars agree that what the Armenian people suffered in 1915 to 1917 fits the definition of genocide. To date, 19 countries and 37 US states recognize the Armenian Genocide. Genocide is wrong. It is evil. It is evil whether its victims are Armenians, Sudanese, Rwandan Tutsis, Cambodians or European Jews. Not to acknowledge genocide for what it is denigrates the memory of its victims. Recognition of genocide is part of the healing process. Official recognition will reaffirm our tradition of protecting the vulnerable and inspire us to not stand by and watch as genocide occurs in our time.
    Source: Armenian Genocide Resolution (S.RES.106/H.RES.106) 2007-SR106 on Mar 14, 2007

    Let Ukraine & Georgia enter NATO.

    McCotter co-sponsored including Ukraine & Georgia in NATO

    Congressional Summary: A resolution expressing strong support for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization to enter into a Membership Action Plan with Georgia and Ukraine:

    1. reaffirming support for enlargement of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to include democratic governments that are able to meet the membership responsibilities;
    2. that NATO's expansion contributes to its relevance;
    3. that Georgia and Ukraine are strong allies that have made important progress in the areas of defense and democratic and human rights reform;
    4. that a stronger relationship among Georgia, Ukraine, and NATO will benefit those countries and NATO member states; and
    5. that the United States should take the lead in supporting the awarding of a Membership Action Plan to Georgia and Ukraine.

    Legislative Outome: Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.

    Source: S.RES.439 & H.RES.997 2008-SR439 on Jan 31, 2008

    Acknowledge the Armenian Genocide, as official US policy.

    McCotter signed Affirmation of US Record on Armenian Genocide