Vice President Biden spoke on February 18 at the National Defense University regarding the budget increase for the National Nuclear Security Administration as well as the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty.  Increasing the budget for nuclear weapons seems as though the United States is directing policy contradictory to what President Obama had recommended for nuclear non-proliferation.  Yet in this speech, Vice President Biden sought to prove that these budget initiatives were in fact for both non-proliferation and American national security.

Vice President Biden echoed the sentiments of President Obama by showing that the United States can be a leader in non-proliferation while still maintaining a high level of security.  He reiterated this by defining the United States as a leader for a post nuclear world, but to reach this goal we still need a limited nuclear arsenal.  The Vice President explained that nuclear deterrence worked as a Cold War doctrine and retaining an arsenal will further deter our enemies.  Eventually through our leadership, new technologies will evolve bringing a new form of deterrence making nuclear weapons obsolete.  

Explaining the budget increase of five billion dollars over the next five years for nuclear weapons was a main focus of Vice President Biden's speech.  He illustrated that even though these are hard times economically, upgrading our aging nuclear arsenal with modern technology will both aid non-proliferation and national security.  Through this effort, we will reduce the number of nuclear warheads but increase the technological capabilities of our weapons, thus supporting non-proliferation as well as security.  By expanding the nuclear budget, U.S. laboratories will be able to afford research for specializations in locating and disarming nuclear material before they fall into unfriendly hands.

Furthermore, Vice President Biden spoke about the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty.  He made it a point to say that testing nuclear weapons previously has brought much harm to individual health and the environment.  These tests were set up to confirm and evaluate the effectiveness of nuclear weapons, but now there is no need for this.  Biden stated that our labs today know more about our nuclear arsenal than they ever had while testing the objects.  The Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty again allows for progressive steps towards non-proliferation without compromising national security.  By ratifying this treaty, the United States will help lead the world past the threat of nuclear war.  Along with the treaty, increasing the National Nuclear Security Administration budget will continue this Administration’s progressive policy.

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“The era of unilateralism is over,” exclaimed Representative Bill Delahunt (D-MA) during the conference to launch the bi-partisan American Engagement Caucus at 10:00am on Thursday, January 21.  

The conference was led by the caucus’ founding members, Representative Russ Carnahan (D-MO) and Representative Anh “Joseph” Cao (R-LA), and was complimented by speeches from former UN Ambassador and current President of the Connect US Fund Nancy Soderberg, InterAction’s Lindsay Coats, and Representative Bill Delahunt.  Representative Carnahan opened the conference by pointing out the challenges of living in a global society and stating that an isolated United States would leave the country desolated with military, economic, and humanitarian problems. 

Carnahan reiterated the importance of understanding our global partners and enemies while working multilaterally for America’s best interest.  He made sure to explain that one of the objectives behind the engagement is to create a “smart power” strategy to encompass what Defense Secretary Robert Gates described as, “…military success is not sufficient to win: economic development, institution-building and the rule of law. . . along with security, are essential ingredients for success.”    Smart power as a blend of military strength and creative diplomacy can relieve our security issues as well as reinforce our international image. Subsequently, Representative Carnahan used a quote from President Truman to exemplify an overarching goal of the Caucus by stating,

“It is understanding that gives us an ability to have peace. When we understand the other fellow's viewpoint, and he understands ours, then we can sit down and work out our differences.”

Furthermore, Representative Cao discussed the purpose of this Caucus is to alleviate the threats of terrorism, nuclear proliferation, genocide, and poverty while expanding trade in international markets through multilateral work.   He explained that the Caucus will work through a bi-partisan effort to deliberate the benefits and challenges of multilateral cooperation.  Representative Cao also mentioned the example of the multilateral effort to bring humanitarian aid to Haiti, and how this will serve as a model for multilateral collaboration in the future.

Finally, Representative Bill Delahunt provided the conference with more insight on the importance of the Caucus by stating that we have “no option” but to work multilaterally with our global neighbors.  He voiced the concern that unilateralism in today’s world can only hurt the United States’ security, economy, and humanitarian efforts.  Also, he explained that through multilateral work an understanding can develop within our global partners to realize our power is “predicated from a moral authority.”   Each dignitary spoke with integrity and realized the importance of America’s multilateral cooperation in this global society.  With peace and prosperity as its main goal, this Caucus will be an extraordinary compliment to Citizens for Global Solutions and other organizations.  Citizens for Global Solutions CEO Don Kraus said this of the new Caucus,

“Citizens for Global Solutions is thrilled that Representatives Carnahan and Cao are establishing this venue for members of Congress to discuss our world’s most pressing concerns.  From climate change to genocide we increasingly face challenges that no nation, no matter how powerful can solve alone.  Our members across the nation are excited that their representatives will now have an opportunity to build bipartisan consensus on how the United States can best address these issues in a cooperative fashion.”

Don also hinted to hill staff that membership in the American Engagement Caucus will be rewarded with extra credit on the upcoming Congressional report card.  Along with CGS, other organizations are excited about the possibilities that this new Caucus provides. 

Peter Yeo, Executive Director of the Better World Campaign, said:

“At such a critical time in U.S. foreign policy, the American Engagement Caucus is a great way for Congress to work on issues where cooperation is better than going it alone.  As we see the world working together in the relief efforts in Haiti, it is apparent how important U.S. collaboration can be in strengthening American national security and foreign policy interests. We look forward to working with Congressman Carnahan, Congressman Cao, and all of the other members of the Caucus in the future.”

Through the continued efforts of organizations like these and the new American Engagement Caucus, the United States can further work on behalf of all humanity to advance the issues that affect the world.  Representatives Carnahan and Cao explained through an Op-ed piece in the The Hill that

“Historically, America has been the most respected nation in the world because of our commitment to working with all countries on behalf of freedom, peace, and other common objectives.” 

Now, with this Caucus there is greater hope that the United States can further its historic efforts for the betterment of mankind.