Paul Ryan promotes House GOP foreign policy agenda

(Image credit: Getty Images)

published 9 June 2016

House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) responded to both President Obama's and Donald Trump's respective foreign policy agendas Thursday by unveiling House Republicans' national security plan. During a speech at the Council on Foreign Relations, Ryan outlined the plan, which covers the Iran deal, U.S.-Cuba relations, and Russia — all issues Ryan said the Obama administration has inadequately addressed. The new agenda also offers an indirect rebuke of some of Trump's proposals, noting that the U.S. needs "more than just fencing" to secure the Mexico border and that the country ought to "maintain a strong NATO presence."

Aside from these counterpositions, the 23-page plan also outlines proposals for a modernized military and reforming the State Department. However, Politico reports that "in several cases, the document is short on specifics." Ryan was joined by House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) and six GOP committee chairmen to present the agenda.