Washington D.C. – House Foreign Affairs lead Republican Michael McCaul (R-TX) released the following statement tonight in response to President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address.

Lead Republican McCaul: “Tonight, President Trump offered a foreign policy agenda that articulated why America needs to continue leading on the world stage. I commend the way his Administration has supported the speedy restoration of democracy in Venezuela. Also, I am hopeful that the maximum pressure campaign and a second summit with Kim Jong-Un will help lead to the ultimate denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

“Going forward, we must continue to confront the destabilizing and dangerous actions of Russia, China, and Iran. That is why I fully support our withdrawal from the INF Treaty to make clear that America will not stand idly by in the midst of Russia’s material breach of this agreement.

“I commend President Trump for calling out China’s broad-based manipulation strategy to target American interests through intellectual property theft and espionage.

“Iran’s backing of a rebel insurgency in Yemen continues to remain a threat along with their support for terrorism in the Middle East and around the world. I applaud the President’s withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal and ensuring the toughest sanctions ever on this radical regime.

“While I am pleased with our aggressive strategy to crush Islamist terrorism and the so-called Caliphate over the last two years, I continue to urge the President not to prematurely withdraw American forces from Syria and Afghanistan. Such a decision could allow ISIS and al-Qaeda to strengthen and plot new attacks against the West. They must be fully destroyed.

“Over the next year, America will continue to be faced with many challenges around the world. But if both parties in Washington can leave partisanship at the water’s edge and work together, I know we will be able to best confront our shared challenges.”

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