Foreign Affairs
As the world’s most powerful country, the United States has a responsibility to aggressively pursue initiatives that alleviate poverty, promote democracy and human rights, improve lives, and stabilize communities in the developing world. Accounting for only one percent of the overall federal budget, America’s modest commitment to foreign assistance and diplomacy supports proven strategies like long-term development, post-conflict reconstruction, and humanitarian assistance.
In Congress, I have worked to advance a robust American leadership role in advancing international development, global health, and human rights. As the co-chair of the Global Health Caucus, I have championed legislation to improve maternal and child health, combat global hunger and make key investments in agricultural development, and to protect young girls in developing countries from early and forced marriages. I strongly support the funding needed to meet our global commitments, improve lives, and ensure stability around the world.
Find information on H.R. 2590, the Defending the Human Rights of Palestinian Children and Families Living Under Israeli Military Occupation Act, here.
More on Foreign Affairs
Contact: Maria Reppas, (202) 225-6631 / (202) 527-0149 maria.reppas@mail.house.gov
Minutes Before Vote, Republican Leadership Circulated Misinformation Bill Contained Abortion
Washington, DC - Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04) issued the following statement, regarding the House of Representatives' failure to pass the International Protecting Girls by Preventing Child Marriage Act (S. 987).
Contact: Maria Reppas, (202) 225-6631 / (202) 527-0149 maria.reppas@mail.house.gov
H.R. 2103 Provides Strategy for U.S. Government to Reduce World's Number of Child Brides
Every year in the world's poorest countries millions of girls are forced into marriage. These girls - as young as age 8, but often 13, 14, 15 years old - are sold by impoverished parents to settle debts or they are given away to become wives to men years or even decades older.
For a young girl - a child - being forced to marry an adult man can only be described as a life of slavery, child molestation, and servitude. This is not marriage. It is a violation of the most basic human rights of a child.
Today, 25,000 girls - some as young as ten years old - will be robbed of their future when they are forced to marry much older men. It isn't marriage when a ten year old girl is given to a forty year old man. That is sexual abuse.
The practice of child marriage is wrong and it must end. The United States must take a stand against child marriage.
Contact: Maria Reppas, (202) 225-6631 / (202) 527-0149 maria.reppas@mail.house.gov
Washington, DC - Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04) issued the following statement, honoring World AIDS Day. According to UNAIDS, over 33 million people worldwide lived with HIV in 2009. Although the medical community has made strides in curbing the effects of HIV/AIDS, the virus is still commonplace in the developing world and too many people still do not get adequate treatment.
Contact: Maria Reppas, (202) 225-6631 / (202) 527-0149 maria.reppas@mail.house.gov
Washington, DC - Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04) issued the following statement, regarding the passage of the Currency Reform for Fair Trade Act (H.R. 2378). This bill helps prevent unfair trade practices that hurt U.S. exports and push American jobs overseas. In 2009, the U.S. trade deficit was $500.9 billion; the trade deficit with China alone was $227 billion.
This Week from Congresswoman Betty McCollum
Madam Speaker, across our country there are communities, businesses, and families that continue to struggle to escape an economic recession that has caused far reaching hardship and too much pain. Congress has a responsibility to ensure the economic security of the American people, as well as defend the national security of the nation. This appropriations bill does not adequately meet the needs of the American people and I will not vote to pass it.
Contact: Maria Reppas, (202) 225-6631 / (202) 527-0149 maria.reppas@mail.house.gov
4th District Democrat Criticizes Republican Refusal to Fund the "Emergency" Needs Facing America's Families
I would like to thank my friend, Jim McGovern, for holding this hearing on child marriage. Congressman McGovern and the commission's co-chair, Congressman Frank Wolf, are both tireless champions for the rights and dignity of all people.
Of course, this commitment and determination to fight for human rights is in the tradition of Tom Lantos - a friend we all dearly miss - who I had the privilege to know and work with during my years on the International Relations Committee.