WASHINGTON (November 4, 2026) — The Alliance for Diplomacy and Justice congratulates the newly elected members of the 120th Congress and is ready to work with the Democratic majority and Republican minority to fight corruption and center human rights as a priority in U.S. foreign policy, a course that is good for America and good for the world.

Over the last two years, the Trump administration has bombed eight countries, committed egregious human rights violations at home and abroad, and dismantled the United States’ foreign assistance agencies, leading to countless, needless deaths among the world’s most vulnerable populations. Yesterday, Americans made clear that they reject the administration’s belligerent and punitive approach to foreign policy.

While polarization remains a fixture of U.S. politics, Americans share significant common ground on human rights and the United States’ role in the world. According to The Alliance’s recently released national poll, 92% of Americans want the United States to lead by example on human rights.

The incoming Congress must act on that common ground, confronting flagrant human rights abuses, restoring vital humanitarian funding, and rebuilding foreign policy institutions.

The Alliance calls on the newly elected majority to act early on five priorities:

• Reassert war powers. Defund and end the Iran war; hold hearings on the war, the Western Hemisphere boat strikes, and the kidnapping of Venezuela’s president; and review arms sales procedures.
• Restore oversight. Investigate abuses of power at the White House, the Department of Defense, the Department of State, and the Department of Homeland Security. Hold an early hearing on corruption in human rights and foreign assistance funding, including the closure of USAID, the illegal delay in releasing the annual human rights reports, the partisan promotion system, and the illegal transfer of congressionally mandated funds.
• Fund human rights. Write human rights priorities and funding back into State Department appropriations or authorizing legislation for FY28 and beyond.
• Enforce accountability. Review the use of sanctions as a partisan tool that undermines international human rights standards and mechanisms.
• Legislate from day one. Permanently end the expanded Global Gag Rule, protect human rights mechanisms, bolster humanitarian assistance, strengthen public health, and protect vulnerable populations.

Americans want their government to protect and promote human rights. The 120th Congress has the tools to make that happen, and The Alliance is ready to assist any and every Member who shares that goal.

About the Alliance for Diplomacy and Justice

The Alliance for Diplomacy and Justice is an organization of former senior diplomats, elected officials, and human rights experts striving to make human rights and global justice central to U.S. foreign policy. Founded by former U.S. envoys and ambassadors — Rina Amiri, Desirée Cormier Smith, Cindy Dyer, Kelly Fay Rodríguez, Abby Finkenauer, Dr. Geeta Rao Gupta, Dr. Beth Van Schaack, and Jessica Stern — The Alliance advances principled, values-based diplomacy that strengthens democracy, equality, and peace worldwide.