EVERY congressional decision related to the military and foreign policy goes through the House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC). As an organization that works to advance progressive foreign policy, it’s where SO much of our work begins — from war powers to sanctions, arms sales to international human rights. And unfortunately, it’s all too often also where it ends.

And the Chair is the ONE who sets the legislative stage: determining what to investigate, who testifies, and which bills go to a vote, and whether they should be prioritized. With current Chair Eliot Engel having lost reelection, this crucial seat will be open next Congress, and we’ve got a HUGE opportunity to reset HFAC’s politics AND directly influence the future of U.S. foreign policy.

Your questions will be used not only to help us inform our priorities as we work to influence this race in the coming months, and they might even be featured in upcoming forums or candidate questionnaires we put together. Need some tips on where to start? Here are a few examples of questions on our minds:

• What can this committee do to better address climate change as part of U.S. foreign policy and national security strategy?
• Are you opposed to illegal U.S. efforts to forcibly overthrow foreign governments?
• Do you think sanctions are a tool of warfare?
• Can you support, not just a re-entry into the Iran deal, but other efforts to engage in diplomacy with Iran?
• Will you use your power as Chair to repeal the 2001 and 2002 Authorizations for Use of Military Force?