Kerry: U.S. Foreign Policy Depends On Fiscal Health At Home

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At his confirmation hearing for secretary of state, Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) said that for U.S. foreign policy to be credible and effective, America’s fiscal house must be in order.

“I’m particularly aware that, in many ways, the greatest challenge to America’s foreign policy will be in your hands, not mine,” Kerry told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Thursday. “Because while it’s often said that we can’t be strong at home if we’re not strong in the world, in these days of fiscal crisis, and as a recovering member of the Supercommittee, I am especially cognizant of the fact we can’t be strong in the world unless we’re strong at home.”

Kerry added: “And the first priority of business which will affect my credibility as a diplomat, and our credibility as a nation, as we work to help other countries create order, the first priority will be that America at last puts its own fiscal house in order.”

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