Diplomacy

How much the United States relies on diplomacy rather than force abroad, and how well it funds and staffs the State Department and its diplomats.

Lead with diplomacy rather than military force

13 members
Daniel Biss
House · IL-9 · Democrat
“If we want peace, we must work for justice. If we want security, we must invest in diplomacy. And if we want to lead, we must lead by example.”
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Patty García
House · IL-4 · Democrat
“Patty supports foreign policy based on diplomacy rather than warfare, international cooperation rather than domination, and respect for human rights, not corporate or military profits.”
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“Renewed emphasis on diplomacy and peace-making”
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Angela Gonzales-Torres
House · CA-34 · Democrat
“Angela is running to end the blank checks for war, bombs, and weapons, and to demand that money be reinvested in our communities where it belongs. War is not a foreign policy. As one of the most powerful nations in the world, we should lead with diplomacy at the center of our foreign policy.”
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Adam Hamawy
House · NJ-12 · Democrat
“I'll put diplomacy first, demand human rights, and end blank-check wars.”
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Melat Kiros
House · CO-1 · Democrat
“True leadership means working for peace, not preparing for endless war. The United States has spent over $8 trillion on war since 2001, often with little accountability and devastating consequences. We've also failed to recognize and prevent the devastation of genocidal wars claiming the lives of millions from Palestine and Sudan to the Congo and Tigray. It's time to reimagine our global role: not as a militarized empire, but as a champion of diplomacy, human rights, and peacebuilding. We need to end the blank checks for endless war and reallocate that funding towards diplomacy abroad and housing, education, and healthcare here at home.”
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“LEAD WITH DIPLOMACY”
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Dan Koh
House · MA-6 · Democrat
“At a time when Donald Trump is putting our troops in harm’s way and trampling our Constitution, we need leaders who will prioritize diplomacy, passion, and empathy.”
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Micah Lasher
House · NY-12 · Democrat
“He’ll fight to restore the United States’ role as a serious leader on the international stage, advancing democracy, human rights, and collaboration to resolve shared global challenges, and for a foreign policy rooted in diplomacy and the rule of law.”
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“Prioritize diplomacy, de-escalation, and long-term stability, with military action only as a last resort with clear objectives and accountability.”
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William Lawrence
House · MI-7 · Democrat
“Seek diplomatic solutions to global challenges, not more war”
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Don Leonard
House · OH-15 · Democrat
“Instead of being drawn into dumb wars with bad allies, rebuild our communities, lead with diplomacy, and restore Congress’s constitutional authority over the decision to go to war.”
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Donavan McKinney
House · MI-13 · Democrat
“The Pentagon has the largest budget of any federal government agency. As a result, we spend nearly $1 trillion in taxpayer dollars every year to line the pockets of corporate defense contractors and to wage endless wars abroad. You know what doesn’t cost a trillion dollars? Leading with diplomacy, our nation’s greatest foreign policy asset — not bombs and weapons.”
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Show the other 3 members
JoAnna Mendoza
House · AZ-6 · Democrat
“She believes we must exhaust diplomatic options before putting American lives at risk.”
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Claire Valdez
House · NY-7 · Democrat
“Support mediation through the United Nations: Aggression and war are not sustainable or moral forms of negotiation. We should commit to ending military interventions and resolving conflicts through diplomacy and international bodies like the United Nations.”
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“Fight poverty, not wars: True safety and security in the U.S. depends on peace and diplomacy across the world. Claire will fight to redirect military funding back home, guaranteeing healthcare through Medicare for All, addressing the climate crisis through a just transition to renewable energy, and shifting our international efforts to support sustainable development and debt relief.”
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“Claire will fight to end this unchecked militarism and interventionism, including the cruel embargo on Cuba, and instead support civil and diplomatic solutions to shared problems. Claire will uphold and advance Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez's legacy of fighting for Latin America with policy rooted in diplomacy and sovereignty.”
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Fred Wellman
House · MO-2 · Democrat
“The United States must defend our country, stand with our allies, uphold democracy and human rights, and pursue diplomacy wherever possible. Military force should never be used without lawful authority, clear objectives, and an honest plan for what comes next. Congress must reclaim its constitutional responsibility for decisions of war and peace, because service members and their families should never pay the price for political recklessness.”
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Cooperate with allies and international institutions

9 members
Melissa Bean
House · IL-8 · Democrat
“America has a vital role in the world: protecting our security, upholding democratic values, and working with allies to address shared threats. Our strength has always come not just from military power, but from diplomacy, economic engagement, development, and partnerships that reinforce a stable, rules-based international order.”
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Adrian Boafo
House · MD-5 · Democrat
“I’m fighting back against the Trump Administration’s reckless foreign policy that has weakened our alliances and diminished America’s leadership abroad. Maryland families deserve a national security strategy that keeps our country safe while standing firmly with our democratic allies. That means strengthening global partnerships, confronting terrorism and emerging threats, and ensuring America leads the world with strength and principled diplomacy. Security is not partisan. It’s foundational.”
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Patty García
House · IL-4 · Democrat
“Patty supports foreign policy based on diplomacy rather than warfare, international cooperation rather than domination, and respect for human rights, not corporate or military profits.”
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Adam Hamawy
House · NJ-12 · Democrat
“Reintegración con la comunidad internacional Desafortunadamente, la administración Trump ha desmantelado algunos de nuestros mejores vehículos para interactuar positivamente con la comunidad global, ya sea a través de ayuda humanitaria, intercambio cultural o participación en organismos y acuerdos internacionales. Esta es una enorme pérdida y representa un mayor enfoque de la política exterior de EE.UU. en el imperialismo militarista, en lugar de la diplomacia y la amistad. En el Congreso, trabajaré para revertir el desmantelamiento de agencias como USAID, presionaré para reincorporarnos a tratados como el Acuerdo de París, y también trabajaré para establecer nuevos medios de interacción positiva a nivel internacional.”

In Spanish on their site.

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Micah Lasher
House · NY-12 · Democrat
“He’ll fight to restore the United States’ role as a serious leader on the international stage, advancing democracy, human rights, and collaboration to resolve shared global challenges, and for a foreign policy rooted in diplomacy and the rule of law.”
View on their website ↗
JoAnna Mendoza
House · AZ-6 · Democrat
“She is a strong proponent of diplomacy, working with our allies, and honoring key alliances like NATO.”
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Claire Valdez
House · NY-7 · Democrat
“Support mediation through the United Nations: Aggression and war are not sustainable or moral forms of negotiation. We should commit to ending military interventions and resolving conflicts through diplomacy and international bodies like the United Nations.”
View on their website ↗
Fred Wellman
House · MO-2 · Democrat
“The United States must defend our country, stand with our allies, uphold democracy and human rights, and pursue diplomacy wherever possible. Military force should never be used without lawful authority, clear objectives, and an honest plan for what comes next. Congress must reclaim its constitutional responsibility for decisions of war and peace, because service members and their families should never pay the price for political recklessness.”
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Scott Wiener
House · CA-11 · Democrat
“Rebuild the State Department’s diplomatic capacity and restore U.S. leadership in multilateral development institutions.”
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Restore funding and staff for the State Department and USAID

5 members
Daniel Biss
House · IL-9 · Democrat
“Rebalancing the Federal Budget: I’ll work to shift resources from the bloated Pentagon budget to diplomatic efforts, humanitarian aid, and global development, including reopening USAID and other diplomatic agencies shuttered by Trump.”
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“Restore Funding for Our Diplomatic Institutions”
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“Fully restore and increase funding for diplomatic institutions: We need to reverse Donald Trump’s and Elon Musk’s attacks on the State Department, USAID, and international broadcasting entities like VOA, Radio Free Europe, and Radio Free Asia.”
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“Invest in diplomatic capacity: We should strengthen our diplomatic workforce by hiring and training a new generation of Foreign Service Officers, development experts, and other diplomacy professionals.”
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Adam Hamawy
House · NJ-12 · Democrat
“Reintegración con la comunidad internacional Desafortunadamente, la administración Trump ha desmantelado algunos de nuestros mejores vehículos para interactuar positivamente con la comunidad global, ya sea a través de ayuda humanitaria, intercambio cultural o participación en organismos y acuerdos internacionales. Esta es una enorme pérdida y representa un mayor enfoque de la política exterior de EE.UU. en el imperialismo militarista, en lugar de la diplomacia y la amistad. En el Congreso, trabajaré para revertir el desmantelamiento de agencias como USAID, presionaré para reincorporarnos a tratados como el Acuerdo de París, y también trabajaré para establecer nuevos medios de interacción positiva a nivel internacional.”

In Spanish on their site.

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Micah Lasher
House · NY-12 · Democrat
“Advocate for the reassembly of the State Department and USAID, which faced extensive cuts under the Trump administration.”
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Scott Wiener
House · CA-11 · Democrat
“Rebuild the State Department’s diplomatic capacity and restore U.S. leadership in multilateral development institutions.”
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Marni von Wilpert
House · CA-48 · Democrat
“Marni believes in the power of US foreign diplomacy, including restoring funding for USAID.”
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Invest in peacebuilding and conflict prevention

4 members
Daniel Biss
House · IL-9 · Democrat
“Supporting Conflict Prevention: Invest in peacebuilding, mediation, and civilian-led international engagement to stop the next conflict before it starts.”
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Patty García
House · IL-4 · Democrat
“Renewed emphasis on diplomacy and peace-making”
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Adam Hamawy
House · NJ-12 · Democrat
“Apoyo la Ley del Departamento de Construcción de Paz, que establecería un Departamento de Construcción de Paz (DoP) a nivel de gabinete, dedicado a prevenir la violencia y fomentar una cultura de paz en el país y en el exterior.”

In Spanish on their site.

View on their website ↗
Melat Kiros
House · CO-1 · Democrat
“True leadership means working for peace, not preparing for endless war. The United States has spent over $8 trillion on war since 2001, often with little accountability and devastating consequences. We've also failed to recognize and prevent the devastation of genocidal wars claiming the lives of millions from Palestine and Sudan to the Congo and Tigray. It's time to reimagine our global role: not as a militarized empire, but as a champion of diplomacy, human rights, and peacebuilding. We need to end the blank checks for endless war and reallocate that funding towards diplomacy abroad and housing, education, and healthcare here at home.”
View on their website ↗

Pair diplomacy with military strength

4 members
Melissa Bean
House · IL-8 · Democrat
“America has a vital role in the world: protecting our security, upholding democratic values, and working with allies to address shared threats. Our strength has always come not just from military power, but from diplomacy, economic engagement, development, and partnerships that reinforce a stable, rules-based international order.”
View on their website ↗
“Leading with strength and strategy: Using diplomacy, economic power, and smart defense investments to keep America secure in a changing world.”
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Adrian Boafo
House · MD-5 · Democrat
“I’m fighting back against the Trump Administration’s reckless foreign policy that has weakened our alliances and diminished America’s leadership abroad. Maryland families deserve a national security strategy that keeps our country safe while standing firmly with our democratic allies. That means strengthening global partnerships, confronting terrorism and emerging threats, and ensuring America leads the world with strength and principled diplomacy. Security is not partisan. It’s foundational.”
View on their website ↗
Elaine Luria
House · VA-2 · Democrat
“Not only Israel, but the U.S. and our European allies need to really strike that balance. You can only deal with diplomacy and important issues if you also carry a big stick to be able to respond, if necessary, and eventually to prevent the kind of military action that is not desired.”
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LaKesha Womack
House · NC-14 · Democrat
“America’s leadership should not be defined only by military strength, but also by our commitment to diplomacy, humanitarian assistance, and global stability.”
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Use military force only as a last resort with clear goals

3 members
Micah Lasher
House · NY-12 · Democrat
“Prioritize diplomacy, de-escalation, and long-term stability, with military action only as a last resort with clear objectives and accountability.”
View on their website ↗
JoAnna Mendoza
House · AZ-6 · Democrat
“She believes we must exhaust diplomatic options before putting American lives at risk.”
View on their website ↗
Fred Wellman
House · MO-2 · Democrat
“The United States must defend our country, stand with our allies, uphold democracy and human rights, and pursue diplomacy wherever possible. Military force should never be used without lawful authority, clear objectives, and an honest plan for what comes next. Congress must reclaim its constitutional responsibility for decisions of war and peace, because service members and their families should never pay the price for political recklessness.”
View on their website ↗

Shift money from the military to diplomacy

2 members
Daniel Biss
House · IL-9 · Democrat
“Rebalancing the Federal Budget: I’ll work to shift resources from the bloated Pentagon budget to diplomatic efforts, humanitarian aid, and global development, including reopening USAID and other diplomatic agencies shuttered by Trump.”
View on their website ↗
Melat Kiros
House · CO-1 · Democrat
“True leadership means working for peace, not preparing for endless war. The United States has spent over $8 trillion on war since 2001, often with little accountability and devastating consequences. We've also failed to recognize and prevent the devastation of genocidal wars claiming the lives of millions from Palestine and Sudan to the Congo and Tigray. It's time to reimagine our global role: not as a militarized empire, but as a champion of diplomacy, human rights, and peacebuilding. We need to end the blank checks for endless war and reallocate that funding towards diplomacy abroad and housing, education, and healthcare here at home.”
View on their website ↗

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