Legacy as Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee
It has been an incredible honor to be the first Texan to chair the House Foreign Affairs Committee. This powerful committee is solemnly tasked with matters of war and peace, and our work came at a perilous time in history.
The Biden-Harris administration's deadly Afghanistan withdrawal lit the world on fire. Since August 2021, Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Chairman Xi increased his aggression in the Indo-Pacific, and the Ayatollah reared his ugly head in the Middle East. Make no mistake: these authoritarian regimes are bound together in an Unholy Alliance, and they will stop at nothing to undermine our Western values and destroy democracy. In the face of these global challenges, my committee and its members accomplished more than we ever thought possible.
To combat state-sponsored terrorism in the Middle East, my FIGHT Crime Act enacted the first significant sanctions on Iranian drone and missile technology in years. My resolution in support of Israel after Hamas' October 7th massacre gained the most cosigners of any measure in Congressional history. I was even indicted by the Iranian regime for my pressure against them.
To counter growing aggression from the Chinese Communist Party, I worked to pass the 21st Century Peace Through Strength Act, which included a forced sale of TikTok. I also worked to bolster AUKUS — a critical defense partnership between the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia that keeps Chairman Xi up at night. After multiple visits to our allies in the Indo-Pacific, I was sanctioned by China. But I will always support Taiwan and our partners in the region and work to keep America safe from the threat of the CCP.
The Biden-Harris administration's weakness on the world stage emboldened Putin to attack Ukraine. In the emergency wartime supplemental package that I championed, I included the REPO Act to make Russia — not the American taxpayer — pay for its unprovoked war of aggression in Ukraine.
Under the Biden-Harris administration, America's border is wide open, enabling terrorists, violent criminals, and drug traffickers to walk right into our country. To try and fix some of the problems this administration created, my committee passed a measure to force the administration to reinstate President Trump's Remain in Mexico policy. To stop the flow of deadly fentanyl from entering our country, my FEND Off Fentanyl Act to sanction foreign actors involved in opioid trafficking was signed into law. I look forward to working alongside President Trump and his team to secure our southern border.
The Biden-Harris administration's deadly Afghanistan withdrawal was a failure of epic proportions. For nearly three years, I conducted a comprehensive investigation into the withdrawal to ensure nothing like this happens again. In my 350-page report, I found that President Biden was determined to withdraw from Afghanistan, no matter the cost. He and his administration prioritized optics over security, failed to plan for all contingencies, and perpetrated a cover-up following the failed withdrawal. I will always remember and honor the 13 brave American servicemembers who lost their lives in this catastrophe.
I couldn’t be prouder of my committee’s work — and representing Texas as the committee’s chairman has been the honor of a lifetime. But with two hot wars and a hot zone in the Indo-Pacific, there is much left to do to protect our great nation. I look forward to continuing to work on the committee as chairman emeritus and coordinating with the incoming Trump administration to project peace through strength, restore U.S. leadership on the world stage, and ensure the safety of future generations of Americans.
Read my full press release here.