House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is playing “he said she said” playground games in her newly, self-appointed job as “Secretary of State.” Speaker Pelosi not only misrepresented her own country’s leadership, but also couldn’t keep her conversations straight as she attempted to play mediator between Israel and Syria on her recent trip to Syria.

Pelosi met with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, and conveyed a message of peace from Israeli Prime Minister Ehmud Olmert. During a press conference in Damascus, Pelosi said, “Israel was ready to engage in peace talks as well.” However, a spokesperson for Prime Minister Olmert told Reuters that “Syria would first have to abandon the path of terror and providing support for terrorist groups.” Either Ms. Pelosi can’t keep her conversations with world leaders straight, or she is attempting to unilaterally bring peace by misinforming the parties involved.

What started as an attempt by Pelosi to garner positive press by preaching peace soon turned into negative press for Ms. Pelosi and the United States. The problem is that Pelosi never should have been in Syria to begin with.

She was not on a fact-finding trip or meeting with international legislators. Instead, she was overstepping her role as Speaker and assuming duties meant to be performed by the executive branch.

In 1799, Congress passed the Logan Act, which forbids any unauthorized citizen of the United States from negotiating with foreign governments. U.S. officials never authorized Speaker Pelosi’s trip to Syria. She simply took it upon herself to visit the Middle Eastern country and engage in negotiations with leaders.

In fact, the Bush administration, whose responsibility it is to carry out international diplomacy, discouraged Pelosi from traveling to the country. Independent (would-be Democratic) Senator, Joseph Lieberman even said that Speaker Pelosi’s Syrian visit was “bad for America.”

I am not advocating convicting Pelosi of violating the Logan Act. To do so would be a slippery slope that could inhibit congresspersons’ ability to use international travel as a means of obtaining needed firsthand information prior to their writing and voting on important legislation.

However, a strong statement must be sent to all legislators that international negotiation will not be tolerated by anyone outside of the executive branch. Regardless of citizens’ or Congress’s opinion of foreign policy, only the President and authorized officials should engage in diplomacy.

If Ms. Pelosi and other members of Congress are upset with the State Department’s handling of relations in the Middle East, take it up with President Bush and Secretary Rice, not with President Assad.

Skeptics will argue that the President’s Middle Eastern Policy is flawed. Others will argue that the executive branch has too much power over international peace negotiations. However, if one legislator is allowed to engage in negotiations, all will follow.

I can see the history books now. “Speaker Nancy Pelosi helps bring peace to the Middle East while mixed signals from U.S. legislators start World War III in East Asia.”

Keeping international diplomacy in the executive branch ensures a consistent voice for America.

Executive department officials must answer to one person, the President, while congresspersons answer to constituents. Everyone will push his or her own agendas and nothing will be accomplished internationally if legislators are allowed to negotiate with world leaders.

Having spent a summer interning for former Speaker Dennis Hastert in Washington, I know the powers that Congressional leaders have in the international community. Foreign leaders and dignitaries respect the opinions of our popularly elected officials.

They listen to the messages that our legislators send from the halls of Congress and often welcome visits to their countries. Congresspersons need not assume the duty of Secretary of State.

If unauthorized agents are allowed to speak on behalf of the United States, we’ll have neo-cons and pacifists preaching polarizing policies to world leaders.

The U.S. will become nothing but a bother in international policy-making as foreign dignitaries must treat every visit from Joe Congressman as a potentially world-changing policy negotiation.

Ms. Pelosi, you have overstepped your bounds. Stick to failing the American people at home.