(AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, Pool). Secretary of State John Kerry applauds as President Barack Obama gives his State of the Union address during a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday Feb. 12, 2013.WASHINGTON (AP) - Secretary of State John Kerry says the greatest
challenge to U.S. foreign policy is not emerging China or Middle East
instability. It's Congress.
In a speech Wednesday at the University of Virginia
in Charlottesville, Kerry cited the adage that "we can't be strong in
the world unless we are strong at home." He called the budget impasse a
threat.
The State Department has said automatic spending
cuts would jeopardize $2.6 billion in aid, security assistance and other
international programs.
Kerry said legislators need to avoid "senseless cuts."
Otherwise, he said his credibility as a diplomat might be damaged.
Kerry said, "Think about it: It's hard to tell the
leadership of any number of countries that they must resolve their
economic issues if we don't resolve our own."
Copyright 2013 The
Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be
published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
WWBT-TV NBC 12
