Well over 100 million people have perished in wars during the 20th century. The end of the Cold War gave many people hope that a new era of lasting peace was at hand. However, our world remains the venue for numerous regional conflicts resulting from disputes over territory, resources, religion, culture and more. Currently, our nation is the most powerful and influential country on Earth, affecting countless people in many parts of the world. America provides food and medicine to many millions of people in nearly 100 needy countries. We help resolve conflicts between nations, and pioneer most of the world's medical and scientific advancements which benefit all of humanity.

However, some say we are not fully aware of the effects our corporate and foreign policies have on the people of other nations. They claim some of these effects are responsible for anti-American feelings in parts of the world. At times, while developing the resources of other countries, our corporations have damaged their environments and harmed their people. At times, our government has supported repressive or non-representative regimes, and has used military force without adequate justification and before exhausting diplomatic options.

Advocates say we should consider those affected by all our corporate and foreign policies if we are to bring about a new era of lasting peace. They say we need a cabinet-level voice in our executive branch who will advocate for a more peaceful approach to attaining foreign policy objectives. The purpose of this department, which would have input on foreign as well as domestic policy decisions, would be to study and promote the conditions that are conducive to building domestic and international peace.

Proposed Legislation: Reintroduction of H.R.1111 - Department of Peacebuilding Act of 2023
Prospective Sponsor: Rep. Jamie Raskin (MD)

• I oppose reforming current peacebuilding policy and wish to donate resources to the campaign committee of Speaker Mike Johnson (LA).
• I support establishing a Department of Peacebuilding in the executive branch, dedicated to peacebuilding, peacemaking, and the study and promotion of conditions conducive to both domestic and international peace and a culture of peace by:
  
  1.) Cultivating peace and peacebuilding as a strategic national policy objective and development of policies that promote national and international conflict prevention, nonviolent intervention, mediation, peaceful conflict resolution and structured conflict mediation.
  
  2.) Collaborating with others to promote personal and community security and peace by supporting policies to:
  a.) Address personal and family violence, including suicide.
  b.) Reduce drug and alcohol abuse.
  c.) Create, through local community initiatives, peace projects that facilitate conflict resolution and healing of societal wounds.
  
  3.) Establishing a Federal Interagency Committee on Peace to coordinate the actions of the department with other federal agencies.
  
  4.) Requiring the Defense and State Depts. to consult with the department concerning nonviolent means of conflict resolution when a conflict between the United States and any other government or entity is foreseeable, imminent or occurring.
  
  And wish to donate resources to the campaign committee of Rep. Jamie Raskin (MD) and/or to an advocate group currently working with this issue.