The Need for Allies to Work Together to Address Global Issues

At an event on transatlantic relations sponsored by the Brookings Institution on Thursday, November 18^th, policymakers from Europe and the United States expressed agreement on one key point:  the need for nations to work together to solve global problems that no one nation can solve alone.  If that idea sounds familiar, it’s because it’s one of the core beliefs of Citizens for Global Solutions.

In a recent visit to India, President Obama announced U.S. support for India taking a seat on the United Nations Security Council.  A second announcement centered on U.S. backing of India’s membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group.  While these developments indicate a stronger tie between the world’s two largest democracies, they open up questions about Obama’s other initiatives as well as what this will mean for next steps in ensuring reform.

This is Jordan Bankhead, I’m the CGS chapter president in Oxford, Mississippi and served on the CGS PAC this year. I’m volunteering at headquarters in Washington, D.C. this week and thought an outsider’s view of the recent Congressional elections for Mississippi, and the United States would be interesting.

In my district, Democratic congressman Travis Childers lost to Republican Alan Nunnelee over mainly domestic issues. Mississippians are not likely to notice any difference on foreign policy as a result of the election though.

People in my district want job growth, increased economic opportunities, and secure futures for their children, like other Americans. These values make sound governance on foreign policy important for all Mississippians. To this end, support for international policies like free and fair trade, promoting international investment (Blue Springs, Mississippi was recently awarded a new Toyota plant), and sound security policy are widely held. This presents a challenge and an opportunity for the new Congress and the Obama administration that may result in more bipartisan progress than pundits predict. Here is why:

Citizens for Global Solutions is deeply saddened by the defeat of Senator Russ Feingold of Wisconsin. Senator Feingold, a longtime friend and ally of CGS, lost his bid for re-election to Republican challenger Ron Johnson.

Senator Feingold has been one of the staunchest champions of global issues on Capitol Hill throughout his time in office. He has always been a member of Congress that CGS could count on, whether to introduce legislation or to vote in support of our priorities in the Senate. This year, Senator Feingold took the lead in creating effective U.S. policy on genocide prevention by sponsoring new legislation. We appreciated the opportunity to work with him and his staff on this critically important issue.

Senator Feingold earned a strong "A" average during his Senate career in CGS's Congressional Report Card, with extra credit for introducing legislation on nuclear non-proliferation and international engagement. We will miss his leadership on these issues and many others.

Following his loss, Senator Feingold thanked his supporters and said, "No one has ever had such a strong foundation of support as I have. You gave me my backbone. In the words of Bob Dylan: 'But my heart is not weary. It's light and free. I've got nothing but affection for those who have sailed with me.'"