Foreign Policy Snapshot of Obama’s
Vice Presidential Running Mate
Throughout his 36 year career as a U.S. Senator and most recently as Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations, Senator Joseph Biden (D-DE) has been a strong supporter of increased funding for the International Affairs Budget and elevating the importance of development and diplomacy in U.S. global engagement. Senator Biden has compiled an impressive record of accomplishments in support of the programs funded by the International Affairs Budget. Most recently, Senator Biden:
- Led the successful fight in the Senate to adopt the Biden-Lugar Amendment to the FY09 Senate Budget Resolution restoring $4.1 billion in funding to the International Affairs Budget, which was cut from the Administration’s request of $39.8 by the Senate Budget Committee. The Senate adopted the amendment by an impressive, bipartisan vote of 73-23.
- Led the Senate in the historic passage of legislation to authorize $48 billion for global HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis programs (PEPFAR) for the next five years, which passed the Senate on July 16, 2008 by a bipartisan vote of 80-16 and the House on July 24, 2008 by a vote of 303-115. President Bush signed the bill into law on July 30, 2008.
- As Chairman, is a leading voice in Congress on the importance of increased funding for the International Affairs Budget as an essential component of national security and held the first-ever Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing highlighting military voices calling for increased investment in development and diplomacy, “Strengthening National Security Through Smart Power – A Military Perspective,” which featured testimony by the Center’s National Security Advisory Council co-chairs, General Anthony Zinni, USMC (Ret.), and Admiral Leighton W. Smith, Jr., USN (Ret.).
- Was the leader in the Senate, along with seven colleagues, in gaining a record-setting 61 Senators of both parties to sign a letter to the President urging a robust increase in the FY09 International Affairs Budget as a critical investment “in strategic tools that are essential to protecting our national security, building economic prosperity and demonstrating our moral values.” Over the years, Senator Biden has been a consistent supporter in urging Administrations of both parties to seek annual increases in their International Affairs Budget requests to Congress.
- Sponsored legislation with Lugar to authorize $48 billion for global HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis programs for the next five fiscal years, which passed the Senate on July 16, 2008 by a vote of 80-16 and the House on July 24, 2008 by a vote of 303-115.
Senator Biden has sponsored numerous bills relevant to international development and diplomacy including, as just a few recent examples:
- S. Res. 30 – A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate regarding the need for the United States to address global climate change through the negotiation of fair and effective international commitments.
- S. 3263 – A bill to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2009 through 2013 to promote enhanced partnership with Pakistan and its people, and for other purposes.
- S. 3169 – A bill to authorize United States participation in, and appropriations for the United States contribution to the eleventh replenishment of the resources of the African Development Fund.
- S. Res. 598 – A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate regarding the need for the United States to lead renewed international efforts to assist developing nations in conserving natural resources and preventing the extinction of a large portion of the world’s plant and animal species.
- S. 392 – A bill to ensure payment of United States assessments for United Nations peacekeeping operations for the 2005 through 2008 time period.
- S. 3273 – A bill to promote the international deployment of clean technology, and for other purposes.
Quotes
Global Development & Health
Biden, Remarks at Annual Conference of Center for US Global Engagement: July 15, 2008 –Link
“We need to make global development and diplomacy a priority in our international lives because when your grandchildren are writing their senior thesis at some great university about what the greatest threats to humanity in this nation were at the turn of the 21st century, none of them that they will list lend themselves to a military solution. Not a single solitary one lends themselves [sic] to a purely military solution…Military power is necessary, but it is not sufficient. It is not sufficient to ensure our security.”
Biden, Applauds House Passage of Global HIV/AIDS Bill: June 24, 2008 -Link
“In 2003, we launched the largest public health program the world had ever seen and it had a dramatic impact, saving millions of lives… We’ve made tremendous strides, but our work is not nearly finished. Two million people died last year of HIV/AIDS. Over two and a half million people died of malaria and TB. That’s over 10,000 people killed per day – per day – because of these diseases. These are mothers and fathers and sisters and brothers – whole families have been devastated, whole communities have been affected. It is our moral obligation to lead this global fight against these diseases. This legislation is a product of bipartisan and bicameral compromise and shared commitment to saving lives worldwide. We are proud to send this bill to the President’s desk.”
Biden, Statement on Global Food Crisis: June 2, 2008 -Link
“In the longer term, we need a new ‘green revolution.’ We must renew our investment in agriculture research and development, and increase support for rural infrastructure and institutions – from agriculture extension services and seed banks to irrigation and roads. Developed countries must work to eliminate barriers facing poor countries that have drastically reduced their food production and agricultural capacity… The world must come together to boldly and decisively address the global food crisis.”
Diplomacy
Biden, Remarks to the National Guard Association Conference: September 22, 2008 - Link
“Barack said hard headed diplomacy is the best way to focus Iran on what it stands to gain if its stops it nuclear program -- and what it will lose if it does not. Now, even the Bush administration sent our most senior diplomat for direct talks with Tehran.”
Biden, National Security Speech: September 24, 2008 - Link
“Barack Obama will end the war in Iraq responsibly. He will…lead a diplomatic surge with the world’s great powers and Iraq’s neighbors to press for a political power sharing agreement”
Smart Power
Biden, Address on Military’s Expanding Role in U.S. Foreign Policy, July 31, 2008 -Link“The increasing dominance of the military in our foreign policy may inadvertently limit our options – when the military is the most readily available option, it is more likely to be used, whether or not it is the best choice.”
Biden, Remarks at Annual Conference of Center for US Global Engagement: July 15, 2008 –Link
“Our first act as a nation embodied what we now called smart power – using the force of our principles and ideals to promote our very naked self interest... Neither arms nor ideas were adequate alone. That was true then and I argue it is true now.”
International Affairs Budget
Biden, Statement on FY 09 International Affairs Budget - Link“The budget submitted to Congress last week seeks $39.5 billion in spending for foreign affairs, a substantial increase over the last year. And I commend you for persuading the president to continue to expand the foreign affairs budget.”
Biden, Statement on Amendment to Restore International Affairs Budget: March 14, 2008 -Link
“This vote sends a strong statement that we cannot rely on military power alone to make our nation secure… We face many challenges around the world - the rise of religious fundamentalism, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, the spread of disease, failed states that are vectors for all those threats. Not one of them can be met solely or even primarily with military force. This legislation will allow us to continue the work now underway to rebuild Afghanistan, to support our ongoing non-proliferation programs, to provide the manpower and skills for our Civilian Stabilization Initiative, to fight AIDS - to all the things that reduce threats, relieve human suffering, and help to rebuild our moral stature in the world”
Vision for World
Biden, National Security Speech: September 24, 2008 - Link
“There’s a short list of the forces shaping the 21st Century. No one country can control these forces, but more than any other country, we have an ability to affect them – if we use the totality of our strength. That means maintaining the finest fighting force in the world – not pushing it to the breaking point… rebuilding our alliances, partnerships and international institutions – not disparaging them… strengthening our diplomacy -- not disdaining it… and using our economic might, not putting it in jeopardy.”
Biden, NPR Debate: December 4, 2007 - Link
“Clarity. Prevention, not preemption. An absolute repudiation of this president’s doctrine which has only three legs on the stool. One, push the mute button, don’t talk to anybody. Two, preemption. And three, regime change…I would reject all three. We need a doctrine of prevention. The role of a great power is to prevent the crises.“
Biden, NPR Debate: December 4, 2007 - Link
“And we don’t have to imagine any of the crises. We know what’s going to happen on day one when you’re president. You have Pakistan, Russia, China, the subcontinent of India. You have Afghanistan. You have Darfur. And it requires engagement, engagement and prevention. That does not rule out the use of force. It incorporates the notion of prevention. Prevention.“
Biden, Des Moines Register op-ed: November 17, 2007 - Link
“This could be the most important presidential election of our lifetimes. In this critical moment lies a tremendous opportunity: The next president will have a chance to change the direction of our country and the world.”
Biden, Center for US Global Engagement in New Hampshire, November 8th - Link
“I'm proud to stand with this organization because of what they stand for. We have a common vision for the future. It's the vision of an America that embraces the power of its example as well as the example of its power. It's the vision of an America that recaptures the totality of its strength.”
Selected Countries
Biden, Statement Upon Return from Georgia: August 18, 2008 – Link“When Congress reconvenes, I intend to work with the Administration to seek Congressional approval for $1 billion in emergency assistance for Georgia, with a substantial down payment on that aid to be included in the Congress' next supplemental spending bill. This money will help the people of Georgia recover from the damage that has been inflicted on their economy and send a clear message that the United States will not abandon this young democracy. I hope this $1 billion commitment will be matched by others in the international community.”
Biden, Statement on Kerry Resolution on Humanitarian Aid for Burma: May 8, 2008 -Link
“We're hearing reports that the death toll in Burma may reach over 100,000 – making it one of the most fatal disasters in modern history… The United States and the international community have a moral obligation to step up and offer immediate humanitarian assistance to the region.”
Biden, Baltimore Sun op-ed: November 12, 2007 - Link
“It is time for a new approach. We should triple non-security aid, to $1.5 billion annually, for at least a decade, without conditions. That sounds like a lot, but it is what we spend in Iraq every week. Instead of funding military hardware, it would build schools, clinics and roads. I would provide an additional $1 billion in nonmilitary assistance - a democracy dividend - in the first year after democratic rule is restored. Nothing is more important than helping Pakistan's democratic leaders demonstrate that they can do better than the generals and the fundamentalists in delivering real change for the country.”
Biden, Address to the Center for U.S. Global Engagement in New Hampshire: November 8, 2007 -Link
“Here are the four elements that I believe should be a new Pakistan policy. First, we should triple non-security aid to 1.5 billion dollars annually, at least for a decade. This aid would be unconditional. It’s our pledge to the Pakistani people. Instead of funding military hardware, we build schools, clinic, roads, provide health care and actually help…underpin the vast moderate majority in that country to establish the democratic instructions and the frameworks to maintaining those institutions. Second, condition security on performance, we should base our security aid on clear results. We are now spending over a billion dollars annually and it’s not clear we are getting our money’s worth. I would spend more if we got results but a whole lot less if we don’t…”
Biden, Speech at the Senate Foreign Relations Committee: April 8, 2007 - Link
“Because of our efforts, millions of Afghan children are in school today. We’ve built roads and clinics. We’ve got American troops in Provincial Reconstruction Teams showing that the US military can be a wonderful friend as well as a fearsome enemy.”
Biden, Speech at the Council on Foreign Relations: February 15, 2007 - Link
“Third, increase economic assistance to Iraq, not diminish it, and economic assistance to its regions.”
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