Foreign Affairs
In a time when war and conflict rage on every continent, I strongly believe that through dialogue and engagement we can make this world a cleaner, a greener, and a more peaceful place for generations to come.
The 5th Congressional District of Georgia boasts many outstanding collegiate, business, and cultural international exchange programs. One of the best ways to understand our neighbors is through people-to-people exchanges. Every year, I host a multicultural festival in Atlanta to highlight our diversity, explore our similarities, and celebrate our differences.
I am fully committed to making sure that we create a more peaceful global family. Since coming to Congress, I have been arrested four times for civil disobedience – twice at the South African Embassy protesting against apartheid, and twice protesting genocide in Darfur. We must stay vigilant in condemning violence and human rights abuses and responding to humanitarian disasters in every corner of the world -- from the Horn of Africa to human trafficking in the streets of Atlanta.
The fight for peace, democracy, equality, and liberty around the world is a never ending process. We must push others to achieve this standard, but remain vigilant about our own work. This is why I introduce a U.S. Recommitment to International Civil and Human Rights Resolution, which calls on the U.S. to ratify key, core, United Nations, and International Labour Organization conventions.
In addition to being a founding Member of the Out of Iraq Caucus, I am also a Member of the following foreign affairs Congressional organizations -
- The Out of Afghanistan Caucus
- The Congressional Human Rights Caucus
- The Congressional Caucus on Human Trafficking
- The Democratic Israel Working Group
- The Bipartisan Taskforce on Non-Proliferation
- The Caucus on Hellenic Issues
- The Congressional Caucus on Indian and Indian Americans
- The Pakistan Caucus
- The Turkey Caucus
- The Friends of New Zealand Congressional Caucus
- The Global Road Safety Caucus
- The Congressional Black Caucus Afro-Latino Working Group
- The Congressional Black Caucus Foreign Affairs Taskforce
More on Foreign Affairs
The Atlanta Passport Agency is hosting a special Passport Day on Saturday, September 22, 2018.
“I am deeply disturbed by the outcome of the Helsinki summit. The leader of this nation takes an oath before God to defend this country from all enemies both foreign and domestic, but this president is not defending the American way of life. He seems afraid to hold Russia accountable for its infringement on the election of 2016.
It is a sad and dark hour for our nation and the global family. This administration’s decision to withdraw the United States from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) is a major blow to all those working to bring peace to the world community. Never before has the credibility of the United States been so undermined by a gross failure to honor our commitments.
The Atlanta Passport Agency is hosting a special Passport Day on Saturday, September 23, 2017 as part of the U.S. Department of State’s Passport Awareness Month. The hours of the event are from 8:00a.m. until 12:00p.m. at the Atlanta Passport Agency. No appointments are needed to apply for a passport, and customers can request routine or expedited service (expedited service incurs an additional $60 fee). This year, the State Department’s public awareness campaign focuses on the benefits of getting a U.S.
“I was deeply concerned by this nation’s withdrawal from the Paris climate accord. I do not agree with the dark vision of America’s future the president described that pits accepting responsibility for our environmental impact against the economic stability and vitality of our country.
“I watched in horror today at the news reports of the chemical weapons attack on the Syrian people. Tiny little children, babies in their mothers’ arms were struggling for life. Their innocent beauty and the hopefulness in their little eyes was deeply distressing, knowing that their lives have been change forever.
Today President Obama announced an historic agreement with Iran negotiated by Secretary Kerry, Secretary Moniz, and the other P5+1 nations. Over the next few months, I look forward to reviewing the details of the proposed agreement with my congressional colleagues.
Today in a marathon mark-up of the Trade Priorities and Accountability Act (TPA) of 2015 in the House Ways and Means Committee, Rep. Lewis sought to amend the TPA to clarify and strengthen the instructions on labor and human protections, and it establishes an appropriate process to add human rights legislation to an implementing bill. In many nations where Americans trade, workers and citizens suffer human rights and labor violations that are illegal in this country. Lewis made this statement on behalf of his amendment that would use the influence of the U.S.
"During this holy weekend for many religious devotees, I watched in horror as the details of the massacre in Kenya unfolded. My thoughts and prayers are with the Garissa University College students, parents, and employees who are devastated by this senseless violence.