The Hill: What we want to hear in the State of the Union Address: Restoring America’s global human rights leadership
Rori Kramer, director of government affairs at the American Jewish World Service

“…For decades, presidents from both parties have promoted universal human dignity and civil rights. But since Donald Trump took office, we’ve watched America stand by — or even send signals of support — as dictators stomp on these rights. … These days, many Americans have a more expansive view of global human rights, including protections for women and girls, and LGBTI people, and persecuted ethnic minorities and indigenous people. Now members of Congress are showing signs of pushing the administration to right the wrongs of these last two years. We can begin by making a commitment to make three broad changes: Policy changes: The U.S. administration must call out all dictators, not just those it disagrees with politically. … Legislative changes: If the administration refuses to take on this urgent global work, Congress must pick up the slack and restore our place as one [of] the world’s standard bearers in human rights. … Restoring foreign policy building blocks: At home, we need to secure our international and human rights institutions … Only then will the state of our union be strong” (2/4).