Sam Brownback: Foreign Policy Profile
Sam Brownback (R-KS)
The Senator was an attorney in Kansas, before becoming the state's Secretary of Agriculture in 1986. He was accepted into the White House Fellow Program and detailed to the Office of the US Trade Representative from 1990 to 1991. Returning to Kansas, Brownback then resumed his position as secretary of agriculture remaining in that position until 1993. In 1994, be was elected to the House of Representatives, and in 1996, he became a Senator, taking Bob Dole’s seat in 1996. Currently, Brownback is a member of the Joint Economic Committee, the Judiciary Committee, the Senate Appropriations Committee , and the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, also known as the Helsinki Commission, which he chairs.
Iraq
Though Senator Brownback supported the Whitehouse’s efforts in Iraq, he is against the troop surge. He supported the Warner Resolution when it came out indicating a determination to withdraw from Iraq as soon as possible and a potential solution to the conflict. For a full transcript of Senator Brownback on Iraq please click here. Â
Afghanistan
Senator Brownback supports a long-term strategy in reconstructing Afghanistan and has visited Afghanistan and met President Karzai to discuss the growth of fundamentalism in the region. For a press release by Senator Brownback’s office, please click here.
Israel/Palestine
Throughout his career in the Senate, Senator Brownback has strongly supported the relationship between the United States and Israel, including sponsoring legislation that would declare Jerusalem the undivided capital of Israel. In 2004, he travelled to Israel and spoke before the Knesset about his life-long admiration for the Jewish State.
The UN
Senator Brownback believes that while the UN has done valuable work, it should be reformed. In the 104th Congress he supported the National Security Revitalization Act, which prohibited U.S. military forces from being placed under U.N. command and control in most situations. Further, it provided for the U.S. to be reimbursed for participation in U.N. peacekeeping operations. Brownback believes that the UN’s size should be reduced, and that the U.S. should bear less of the organization’s financial burden.
Non-Proliferation
While Senator Brownback has been a strong supporter of the NPT, he did not think that the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty was a useful treaty and sided with the White House when it withdrew from the treaty. He also believes in taking a hard line not only on nuclear-aspirant states (like North Korea and perhaps Iran) but also believes that the West has taken too soft a line on countries like Russia and China that supply those states. He also supported President Bush’s landmark nuclear agreement with India.
Defence
Senator Brownback opposes cutting spending on the Airborne Laser Program (ABL) and has criticised cuts to missile defence funding. Click here for more information on the Senator’s support for the US military.
Terrorism
Senator Brownback supports a vigorous war against terrorism. Please click here for more information on his views.
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