Boyle Urges Support for Democratic Values at State Department

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressmen Brendan F. Boyle (PA-13) and David Cicilline (RI-1), along with 17 other Democratic members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, sent a letter today to Secretary of State Rex Tillerson urging him to preserve the promotion of democratic values as part of the Department of State's mission statement. The letter followed reporting that Secretary Tillerson has ordered the State Department to redefine its mission and issue a new statement of purpose that eliminates references to promoting democracy – a central pillar of U.S. foreign policy.

"The advancement of democratic ideals is fundamental to America's mission abroad," said Congressman Boyle, a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee since 2015. "Encouraging free and fair elections and open expression around the globe is our best strategy for building a more peaceful and prosperous world. To strike this essential goal from the mission of the State Department equates to an abandonment of that hopeful vision, and would only serve to undermine American leadership and encourage oppressors worldwide. The strength of our commitment to democratic ideals in the face of turmoil gives powerful credence to the cause of freedom everywhere. As our top diplomat, Secretary Tillerson should not consider those ideals disposable."

According to an internal State Department email obtained by the Washington Post, a draft of the new State Department mission statement reads: "Lead America's foreign policy through global advocacy, action and assistance to shape a safer, more prosperous world," conspicuously omitting any mention of justice or democracy. 19 members of Congress signed the letter opposing such an omission, the text of which is below. They are: Brendan Boyle, David Cicilline, Ranking Member Eliot Engel, Brad Sherman, Gregory Meeks, Albio Sires, Gerald Connolly, Ted Deutch, William Keating, Ami Bera, Lois Frankel, Joaquin Castro, Robin Kelly, Dina Titus, Norma Torres, Bradley Schneider, Thomas Suozzi, Adriano Espaillat, and Ted Lieu.

Congressman Boyle has been an active proponent of foreign democratic outreach during his tenure in Congress. He was recently honored as a ‘Distinguished Friend of Ukraine' for his work in government to support the furtherance of democracy in that country.

LETTER BELOW:
Dear Secretary Tillerson:

As members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee who care deeply about democracy and human rights, we are very concerned by recent reports detailing orders to redefine the Department of State mission and issue a new statement of purpose that eliminates any reference to the promotion of democracy.

The Department of State's current mission statement clearly details its aim to "shape and sustain a peaceful, prosperous, just, and democratic world and foster conditions for stability and progress for the benefit of the American people and people everywhere." This statement is a signal to the world of our priorities and intentions. The United States promotes these values through public diplomacy, foreign assistance programs, and diplomatic and citizen initiatives that reflect our nation's ideals. The promotion of democracy brings greater peace, prosperity and pluralism to the global community. For decades democracy promotion has been a cornerstone of U.S. foreign policy over successive bipartisan administrations.

Our values-based foreign policy distinguishes us from those countries around the world who seek to promote only their own bottom line to the detriment of everyone else. Strong U.S. support for democracy promotion worldwide protects American interests and national security, and allows us to build stronger alliances, work in conjunction with local communities, and move countries beyond the need for assistance as we support the development of stable democratic institutions. A retreat from democracy promotion is a retreat from American leadership, and sends a message that will be heard clearly in Moscow, Beijing, Caracas, and everywhere else authoritarian leaders seek to consolidate control.

We urge you to retain in any revision of the Department of State's mission or statement of purpose our nation's longstanding commitment to democracy promotion. The United States must stand firmly for rule of law, free speech, freedom of religion and human dignity. The Department of State must strive to promote liberty and justice for all.
We look forward to your response.
###