Rep. Brad Finstad (R)

A. Resolve international and civil conflicts through diplomacy:

Engage diplomatically with other nations to resolve conflicts.

Rep. Finstad voted in favor of H.R.533: Promoting a Resolution to the Tibet-China Dispute Act. This bill establishes a statutory definition of Tibet that includes not only the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR), but also areas outside of the TAR that have been designated by China's government as Tibetan Autonomous in Qinghai, Sichuan, Gansu, and Yunnan provinces. Furthermore, the Office of the U.S. Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues shall work to ensure that U.S. government statements and documents counter disinformation about Tibet by China's government and the Chinese Communist Party. This bill also states that it is U.S. policy that the dispute between Tibet and China must be resolved in accordance with international law by peaceful means through dialogue without preconditions. The bill passed the House 392-28, with 11 members not voting, and has been referred to the Senate for consideration. – Feb. 15, 2024 https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/533/

Rep. Finstad voted in favor of H.R.3202, the Assad Regime Anti-Normalization Act of 2023. This bill prohibits federal officials or employees from taking any action to recognize a Syrian government led by Bashar al-Assad. The bill also expands existing sanctions related to the Syrian conflict to cover additional activities and persons or entities. This bill passed the House 389-32 and has been referred to the Senate. - February 14, 2024 https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/3202/

Rep. Finstad cosponsored H.Res.955: Commending Taiwan for its history of democratic elections, and expressing support of Taiwan in the preservation of its democratic institutions. This resolution has been referred to House Foreign Affairs. - Jan. 17, 2024 https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-resolution/955/

Rep. Finstad voted in favor of H.R.5961, the No Funds for Iranian Terrorism Act. This bill requires the President to impose property-blocking sanctions on foreign financial institutions and international financial institutions that process, participate in, or facilitate a transaction involving certain Iranian funds (namely, the approximately $6 billion of Iranian funds that the Biden administration permitted to be transferred from restricted accounts in South Korea to restricted accounts in Qatar to facilitate the release of five U.S. citizens detained in Iran). It passed the House 307-119, with 1 present and 8 not voting and has been referred to the Senate. - November 30, 2023 https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/5961

Rep. Finstad voted in favor of H.R.3774, the SHIP Act, a bill that requires the President to impose visa- and property-blocking sanctions against foreign persons that knowingly transport, process, refine, or otherwise deal in petroleum and petroleum products originating in Iran. The bill passed the House 342-69 and has moved on to the Senate for consideration. - November 3, 2023 https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/3774

After cosponsoring the bill on 4/20/2023, Rep. Finstad voted in favor of H.R.589, the Mahsa Amini Human Rights and Accountability Act. The MAHSA legislation requires the President to impose property- and visa-blocking sanctions on certain foreign persons (individuals and entities) affiliated with Iran. This bill passed the House 410-3. - September 12, 2023 https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/589

Rep. Finstad cosponsored H.Res.627: Condemning the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran for the massacre of political prisoners in 1988 and the uprisings of recent years, including the 2018, 2019, and 2022 uprisings, and calling for justice for its victims. This resolution has been referred to House Foreign Affairs. - August 18, 2023 https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-resolution/627/

Rep. Finstad cosponsored H.R.3774: To impose additional sanctions with respect to the importation or facilitation of the importation of petroleum products from Iran. This bill has been referred to several committees. - July 11, 2023 https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/3774/

Rep. Finstad cosponsored H.Res.352: Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives on the importance of a unified transatlantic role in deterring the Chinese Communist Party from disrupting the peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. This bill has been referred to House Foreign Affairs. - May 25, 2023 https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-resolution/352

Rep. Finstad voted in favor of H.Res.132. This resolution, which passed the House 414-2, mourns the loss of life in Turkey (Turkiye) and Syria caused by the earthquakes in Turkey on February 6, 2023. The resolution also (1) applauds the work of humanitarian aid and rescue workers on the ground; and (2) condemns the efforts by the Assad regime of Syria to exploit the disaster to evade international pressure and accountability, including by preventing the United Nations from providing assistance through border crossings between Turkey and Syria. - Feb. 27, 2023 https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-resolution/132/

Rep. Finstad voted yes to H.Res.104: Condemning the Chinese Communist Party's use of a high-altitude surveillance balloon over United States territory as a brazen violation of United States sovereignty. This resolution passed the House 419-0. – Feb. 9, 2023 https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-resolution/104/

Rep. Finstad became an original cosponsor of H.Res.100: Expressing support for the Iranian people's desire for a democratic, secular, and nonnuclear Republic of Iran, and condemning violations of human rights and state-sponsored terrorism by the Iranian Government. This resolution has been referred to House Foreign Affairs. - Feb. 7, 2023 https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-resolution/100/

Rep. Finstad cosponsored (as of 1/30/2023), and then voted in favor of, H.Con.Res.9, which passed the House 328-86 and has moved on to the Senate. This concurrent resolution denounces socialism, cites historical and current examples of harm caused by socialism, and opposes the implementation of socialist policies in the United States. – Feb. 2, 2023 https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-concurrent-resolution/9

Rep. Finstad voted in favor of H.Amdt.34, an amendment to H.R.21, the Strategic Production Response Act. This amendment required that the plan contained in the bill will not result in the sale of petroleum products drawn from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to Iran, China, North Korea, or Russia. The amendment passed 418-12 and later H.R.21 passed the House 221 - 205. - Jan. 26, 2023 https://www.congress.gov/amendment/118th-congress/house-amendment/34

Rep. Finstad voted in favor of H.Con.Res.7, which passed the House 420-1. This concurrent resolution, which has been referred to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, expresses support for the women and men of Iran who are (1) participating in the current protests to defend their fundamental human rights, and (2) risking their safety to speak out against the human rights abuses committed by the Iranian regime. The resolution condemns (1) the brutal beating and death of Mahsa Amini; and (2) the violent suppression by the Iranian regime of women and men participating in the current demonstrations, including children, and calls for transparent accountability for all killings of protesters by Iranian security forces. Finally, the resolution encourages continued efforts by the Biden Administration to respond to the protests, including the recent sanctioning of the Iranian morality police. - January 25, 2023 https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-concurrent-resolution/7

Rep. Finstad voted in favor of H.R.22, Protecting America’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve from China Act. This bill prohibits the sale and export of crude oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) to China. It passed the House 331-97 and has moved on to the Senate. - Jan. 12, 2023 https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/22/

Rep. Finstad voted in favor of H.Res.11 - Establishing the Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party. This resolution authorizes the select committee to investigate and submit policy recommendations concerning the status of the economic, technological, and security progress of the Chinese Communist Party and its competition with the United States. The resolution passed the House 365-65. - Jan. 10, 2023 https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-resolution/11/

Rep. Finstad voted in favor of S.3895, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom Reauthorization Act. The purpose of the commission is to investigate and evaluate threats to, and violations of, religious freedom around the world; its activities include putting certain countries on a “Special Watch List” or designating them as “countries of particular concern” with respect to religious freedom. This bill, which had previously passed the Senate, passed the House 402-4 and was subsequently signed into law by the President. – Sept. 19, 2022 https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/3895

Promote stability by replacing US military aid with development aid.

Support resolution of the Israeli Palestinian conflict through determined, balanced and multilateral diplomacy.

Rep. Finstad cosponsored (on Jan. 16, 2024), and then voted in favor of, H.Res.966: Condemning rape and sexual violence committed by Hamas in its war against Israel. More broadly, this resolution condemns acts of rape and sexual violence as weapons of war, including those acts committed by Hamas on and since October 7, 2023. The resolution also calls on all nations to criminalize rape and sexual assault and hold accountable all perpetrators of sexual violence, including state and non-state armed groups. The resolution passed the House by a vote of 418-0, with 1 vote of “present”. - February 14, 2024 https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-resolution/966

Rep. Finstad voted in favor of H.R.7217, the Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024. This bill provides FY2024 supplemental appropriations to the Department of Defense (DOD) and the Department of State for activities to respond to the attacks in Israel. The bill failed in the House even though the vote was 250 Yes to 180 No, because a 2/3 majority was required.- Feb. 6, 2024 https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/7217

Rep. Finstad voted yes to H.R.6679: No Immigration Benefits for Hamas Terrorists Act. This bill imposes immigration-related penalties on certain non-U.S. nationals (aliens under federal law) who are involved with terrorism or attacks against Israel. Under this bill, members of Palestinian Islamic Jihad or Hamas or who participated in or otherwise facilitated the October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel may not be admitted into the United States. This bill passed the House 422-2, with 1 present and 6 not voting and has now been referred to the Senate. - January 31, 2024 https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/6679/

Rep. Finstad signed a letter to SoS Blinken calling the ICJ case against Israel “grossly unfounded” and saying that “South Africa’s accusation of genocide against Israel exposes how far Israel’s enemies will go in their attempts to demonize the Jewish state.” The letter was signed by 210 US lawmakers and backed by AIPAC. - January 23, 2024 https://chrissmith.house.gov/uploadedfiles/smith_manning_letter_to_sec._blinken_re._south_africa_claims_against_israel_at_ijc_1.23.24.pdf & https://www.commondreams.org/news/aipac-south-africa-israel

Rep. Finstad voted in favor of H.Res.894: Strongly condemning and denouncing the drastic rise of antisemitism in the United States and around the world. One of the points of the resolution is that “anti-Zionism is antisemitism”. The resolution passed the House 311-14, with 92 members voting “present” and 17 “not voting”. - December 5, 2023 https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-resolution/894/text

Rep. Finstad voted in favor of H.Res.793, which passed the House 414 - 0. This resolution calls on Hamas to immediately release hostages taken during its October 2023 attack on Israel. The resolution (1) condemns Hamas for attacking Israel, taking hostages, and for threats made against hostages; (2) demands that Hamas immediately release hostages; (3) recognizes that hostage-taking is a violation of international humanitarian law; and (4) expresses sympathy to the hostages, wounded, deceased, and their families. - November 28, 2023 https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-resolution/793

Rep. Finstad voted in favor of H.Res.888 - Reaffirming the State of Israel's right to exist. This resolution also (1) recognizes that denying Israel's right to exist is a form of antisemitism; (2) rejects calls for Israel's destruction; and (3) condemns the Hamas-led attack on Israel. The resolution passed the House 412-1 where one MOC voted “present” and 21 others “not voting”. – Nov. 28, 2023 https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-resolution/888/

Rep. Finstad voted in favor of H.Res.845: Censuring Representative Rashida Tlaib for promoting false narratives regarding the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel and for (alledgedly) calling for the destruction of the state of Israel. The resolution passed the House 234-188. - November 7, 2023 https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-resolution/845/

Rep. Finstad voted in favor of H.R.6126, the Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024, which would provide $14.3B in FY2024 supplemental appropriations to the Department of Defense (DOD) and the Department of State for activities to respond to the attacks in Israel. The bill passed the House 226-196 and has moved on to the Senate. - November 2, 2023 https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/6126

After having cosponsored it on 10/11/2023, Rep. Finstad voted in favor of H.Res.771: Standing with Israel as it defends itself against the barbaric war launched by Hamas and other terrorists. The resolution passed 412 - 10. - October 25, 2023 https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-resolution/771/

Rep. Finstad cosponsored H.Res.768: Standing with Israel as it defends itself against the barbaric war launched by Hamas and other terrorists. This resolution has been referred to House Foreign Affairs. – October 10, 2023 https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-resolution/768/

Following Israeli President Herzog’s address to a joint session of Congress, Rep. Finstad and the other Republican members of the House delegation from Minnesota issued the following statement: “We strongly condemn anti-Semitism in all its forms, which is why we proudly voted to affirm our relationship with Israel and reject the absurd notion that Israel is a racist state. Despite recent comments made by some in our delegation, we Minnesota Republicans are united in standing with Israel and committed to doing everything possible to strengthen the U.S.-Israel relationship.” - July 20, 2023 https://finstad.house.gov/2023/7/minnesota-republican-delegation-issues-statement-supporting-israel-and-condemning-anti-semitism

Rep. Finstad voted yes to H.Con.Res.57 – Expressing the sense of Congress that (1) Israel is not a racist or apartheid state, that (2) Congress rejects all forms of antisemitism and xenophobia, and (3) the US will always be a staunch partner and supporter of Israel. The resolution passed the House 412-9, and on 7/25, it was agreed to in the Senate by unanimous consent. - July 18, 2023 https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-concurrent-resolution/57/

Rep. Finstad cosponsored H.R.3792, the U.S.-Israel Partnership and Abraham Accords Enhancement Act of 2023. The bill, which has been referred to committee, has as its purpose: To modify and extend certain authorities relating to cooperation between the United States and Israel and expand and strengthen the Abraham Accords. - July 11, 2023 https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/3792/

Rep. Finstad cosponsored H.R.1218, the Expediting Israeli Aerial Refueling Act of 2023. This bill, which has been referred to the House Armed Services Committee, requires the U.S. Air Force to train members of the air force of Israel on (1) the operation of the KC-46 aircraft, and (2) maintenance and sustainment requirements of the KC-46 aircraft. - May 10, 2023 https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/1218/

Rep. Finstad cosponsored H.R.1777, the United States-Israel Future of Warfare Act of 2023. This bill, which has been referred to the House Armed Services Committee, requires the Department of Defense to establish the United States-Israel Future of Warfare Research and Development Fund to conduct collaborative defense projects between the United States and Israel in areas of emerging technologies (e.g., artificial intelligence). The purpose of the fund is to enable the Armed Forces of the United States and Israel to meet emerging defense challenges. - May 9, 2023 https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/1777

B. Build an infrastructure for peace and prosperity:

Develop and strengthen alternatives to military force such as civilian peacekeeping forces, diplomacy, mediation and conflict resolution, and significantly grow the US diplomatic corps.

Rep. Finstad voted in favor of H.R.2766, the Uyghur Policy Act of 2023. The bill authorizes the establishment of a Special Coordinator for Uyghur Issues position within the Department of State. The State Department's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs may make certain funds available to human rights advocates working on behalf of Uyghurs and members of other persecuted minority groups from the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. Any such funds shall be used to facilitate the presence of human rights advocates at public diplomacy forums to speak on issues related to the human rights and religious freedoms of persecuted minority groups in China. The State Department must ensure that Uyghur language training is available to Foreign Service officers, and that a Uyghur-speaking member of the Foreign Service is assigned to U.S. diplomatic and consular posts in China. This bill passed the House on 2/15/2024 by a vote of 414-6, and it has been referred to the Senate. - Feb. 15, 2024 https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/2766

Rep. Finstad voted against H.Res.1519, which passed the House 217-201. This bill sets forth the rule for consideration of the bill (H.R. 8393) to enable the people of Puerto Rico to choose a permanent, nonterritorial, fully self-governing political status for Puerto Rico and to provide for a transition to, and the implementation of, that permanent, nonterritorial, fully self-governing political status. Rep. Finstad also voted against H.R.8393, the Puerto Rico Status Act, which passed the House 233-191 and moved on to the Senate. This bill provides for a vote to be held on November 5, 2023, to resolve Puerto Rico's political status. Eligible voters would be given a choice of independence, sovereignty in free association with the United States, or statehood. - - Dec. 15, 2022 https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-resolution/1519/ & https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/8393

Rep. Finstad voted in favor of H.R.4785: To support the human rights of Uyghurs and members of other minority groups residing primarily in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region and safeguard their distinct identity. Among other things, the bill authorizes the establishment of a Special Coordinator for Uyghur Issues position within the Department of State and also requires the State Department to ensure that a Uyghur-speaking member of the Foreign Service is assigned to U.S. diplomatic and consular missions in China. The bill passed the House 407-17 and moved on to the Senate. - December 1, 2022 https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/4785/

Commit the US to strengthening the United Nations and approving agreements and treaties such as the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty that reduce the risk of war.