Foreign Affairs

Rep. Holt travelled to Iraq in May 2009 and presented members of the New Jersey National Guard stationed there with a “thank you” banner signed by hundreds of New Jersey residents. As the American combat mission in Iraq comes to an end, Rep. Holt is working to ensure that the Iraqis are ready to root out corruption and provide for the safety and security for Iraqi citizens.

As Chair of the Select Intelligence Oversight Panel, a member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, and a leader on human rights, Rep. Holt has taken an active role on foreign affairs issues facing Congress, including situations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Middle East.

In this section:

Iraq
Afghanistan
Middle East
Human Rights

Iraq

Rep. Holt has been a consistent opponent of the misguided war in Iraq. In 2002, he voted against the resolution authorizing President Bush to go to war, saying on the House floor that the Bush Administration failed to prove that Saddam Hussein’s regime was an immediate threat to American security and it failed to “explain to the American people what would be the costs and what would be our responsibilities in a post-Saddam Iraq.” Since then, he has opposed efforts to allow the U.S. engagement in Iraq to continue indefinitely.

As the 111^th Congress continues to pursue an end to our involvement in Iraq, Rep. Holt remains committed to achieving a responsible withdrawal.   During his most recent visit to Iraq in early May 2009 with Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Rep. Holt met with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and reaffirmed the commitment to the Status of Forces Agreement. The agreement underpins the responsible withdrawal strategy, and specifically calls for the redeployment of U.S. forces from Iraqi cities by June 30, 2009 and the eventual withdrawal from Iraq by 2011. Rep. Holt understands that America still needs to help Iraq rebuild, but he believes that a secure and sustainable democracy can only be achieved by the Iraqis themselves.

Press Release: Holt Returns From Mideast Visit With NJ Guardsmen, Military Commanders, and Foreign Leaders (05-14-09)

eGenda: Thanking our Servicemen and Women (05-15-09)

Floor Remarks: Return from Iraq (05-14-09)

Floor Remarks: On the Debate Over the Iraq War (10-08-02)

Afghanistan

Rep. Holt believes the U.S. involvement in Iraq has prevented the development of a strong, coherent security strategy in Afghanistan aimed at combating those groups that perpetrated the attacks of September 11.    Rep. Holt recognizes the importance of improving stability in Afghanistan in order to improve American security, but he does not believe we can solve the conflict in Afghanistan, and the emerging conflict in Pakistan, primarily through military means— those conflicts can only be solved politically through a joint effort with our allies.

After his most recent visit to Afghanistan on November 23, 2008, Rep. Holt recognized the need to reengage local constituencies through economic and developmental aid as well as other trust building initiatives. Rep. Holt believes that a greater emphasis on development would erode local support for Taliban extremists, strengthen Afghanistan’s developing government, and improve regional stability and American security.

Rep. Holt does not believe the U.S. military commitment in Afghanistan should be open ended. He has co -sponsored legislation that would require the Secretary of Defense to present to Congress an exit strategy for Afghanistan.

Floor Speech: Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2009  (May 14, 2009)

eGenda: My Visit to Afghanistan and Pakistan (11-23-08)

Peace in the Middle East

Rep. Holt is a lifelong supporter of the State of Israel who has had the opportunity to visit the country on a number of occasions. He believes that a strong relationship with Israel is necessary both for ensuring that Israel remains a democratic outpost in the Middle East and for ensuring stability in the region. Like all nations in the world, Israel has the right and responsibility to respond in self-defense. The United States has a responsibility to stand with Israel, and Rep. Holt continues to support military and foreign assistance for Israel

Rep. Holt also believes that the United States has a vital role to play in brokering an enduring and peaceful settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The United States must recommit itself to bringing Israelis and Palestinians back to the negotiating table. This includes the need to create a viable representative of the Palestinians that can negotiate in good faith. And it includes the need to get the Israelis to make the daily welfare of ordinary Palestinians one of the principal criteria for any negotiations. He recently said that “the future security of the Middle East depends on negotiating a just, permanent, and peaceful settlement between Israelis and Palestinians that both guarantees Israel's security and establishes a Palestinian state.”

Press Release: Holt Returns From Mideast Visit With NJ Guardsmen, Military Commanders, and Foreign Leaders  (5-14-09)

Floor Speech: Supporting the State of Israel  (1-9-09)

eGenda: Israel at 60 (5-16-08)

Human Rights

Rep. Holt has been recognized as a leader in Congress in the fight for human rights. In 2008, he introduced a resolution on Burma – which the House passed unanimously – that condemned the Burmese regime’s undemocratic constitution and the scheduled sham referendum to legitimize the constitution and their military rule. The resolution demanded the immediate and unconditional release of Aung San Suu Kyi, as well as those Buddhist monks and political prisoners detained during the 2007 anti-government protests.

As a supporter of the plight of the Dali Lama and the Tibetan people, Rep. Holt sponsored a House-passed resolution that urged the government of the People’s Republic of China to “respond to the Dalai Lama’s initiatives to find a lasting solution to the Tibetan issue,” and called upon the Obama Administration to recommit a sustained effort to press the People’s Republic of China to respect the Tibetans’ human rights.

Rep. Holt also has worked to bring about a peaceful resolution to the current conflict in Sri Lanka. He led a Congressional effort to urge President Bush to increase U.S. efforts to bring about peace.

To lift millions around the world out of poverty, Rep. Holt has led efforts in Congress to support Microfinance programs. Microfinance programs have the power to transform the lives of the world’s poorest by providing access to small amounts of money (often less than $150) to start self-sustaining businesses. Microfinance programs are having a very positive effect around the globe.

As the global financial and economic crisis affecting the world’s poor badly, Rep. Holt has urged the World Bank to expand microfinance efforts. In December 2008, he wrote a letter, signed by 92 Members of Congress to encourage the World Bank to create a $200 million grant program to reach the very poor with microfinance loans and to establish regionally-focused Centers of Excellence. 

eGenda: A Fifty Year Struggle for Human Rights in Tibet (3-19-09)

eGenda: Helping the World’s Poor (12-11-08)

Press Release: Holt to Attend White House Bill Signing Ceremony for Burma Sanctions Legislation  (7-29-08)

Press Release:House Expected To Pass Holt, Berman, Ros-Lehtinen Resolution Rejecting Burmese Military Junta's Constitution  (May 5, 2008)

Press Release: Holt Supports Bipartisan Resolution Calling On Chinese Government To End Crackdown in Tibet, Enter into a Substantive Dialogue with the Dalai Lama  (4-9-08)

Press Release: Holt Returns From Bipartisan Congressional Delegation To India, UK Focusing On Climate Crisis, Situation In Tibet Delegation Trip Included Meetings With Dalai Lama, British Prime Minister Brown, Indian Prime Minister Singh  (3-27-08)