The government is shut down this week, but the rest of the world doesn’t pause or de-escalate for the sake of Capitol Hill. Last month, Russia fired more than 1,500 strike drones, 1,280 glide bombs, and 50 missiles at Ukraine, and NATO-member warplanes shot down several Russian drones over Poland — the first time the alliance has engaged Russian drones over NATO territory. This isn’t even to mention Beijing’s increased aggression against our friends and allies in the South China Sea.
So, how can Congress play a meaningful role in strengthening America, supporting our allies, and deterring our enemies? Right now, our former colleagues in Congress face two urgent, often overlooked decisions: passing a bipartisan State Department authorization bill and reauthorizing the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation. Both are essential if America is to maintain global leadership in an era of intense geopolitical competition.
