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"A clearly defined strategy and a way to measure our progress in achieving the strategy in Afghanistan and Pakistan will be crucial to our efforts."
˜ Ben Nelson
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Thursday, May 21, 2009
“I am pleased the supplemental bill includes provisions I worked on to set up benchmarks, or measures of progress, and regular reporting to Congress as the Administration moves forward with its new strategy to try to stabilize Afghanistan and Pakistan. As we continue to ask Americans to sacrifice, and as we continue sending our men and women in uniform into harm’s way, we must ensure they have all the tools and policies worthy of their commitment to freedom.
“A clearly defined strategy and a way to measure our progress in achieving the strategy in Afghanistan and Pakistan will be crucial to our efforts. Make no mistake: the challenges in Afghanistan and Pakistan are vast and complicated. Violence, corruption, refugee problems, poppy production, extremists, nuclear concerns and terrorist elements could make the road ahead a rough one. But these and other obstacles ahead are not insurmountable.
“In addition to those involved in the critical military mission, Nebraskans are playing important roles in Afghanistan assisting, teaching, training and educating farmers on better farming methods and introducing the farmers to better and more sustainable crops to promote the eradication of poppies. We must provide all the support they, and all Americans working in that region, deserve to succeed as they strive to help bring a better future to these troubled lands.
“It also is promising that President Obama has said that this will be the last Emergency War Supplemental. For too many years, we have been spending off-budget, adding heavily to our deficit.”
NELSON VOTES FOR WAR SUPPLEMENTAL PROVIDING PROGRESS MEASURES AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
Nebraska’s Senator Ben Nelson issued this statement today after voting for the 2009 Supplemental Appropriations bill that includes funding for the U.S. efforts in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan and pandemics. In 2007, Nelson co-authored legislation signed into law setting 18 benchmarks to measure military and diplomatic efforts in Iraq. “I am pleased the supplemental bill includes provisions I worked on to set up benchmarks, or measures of progress, and regular reporting to Congress as the Administration moves forward with its new strategy to try to stabilize Afghanistan and Pakistan. As we continue to ask Americans to sacrifice, and as we continue sending our men and women in uniform into harm’s way, we must ensure they have all the tools and policies worthy of their commitment to freedom.
“A clearly defined strategy and a way to measure our progress in achieving the strategy in Afghanistan and Pakistan will be crucial to our efforts. Make no mistake: the challenges in Afghanistan and Pakistan are vast and complicated. Violence, corruption, refugee problems, poppy production, extremists, nuclear concerns and terrorist elements could make the road ahead a rough one. But these and other obstacles ahead are not insurmountable.
“In addition to those involved in the critical military mission, Nebraskans are playing important roles in Afghanistan assisting, teaching, training and educating farmers on better farming methods and introducing the farmers to better and more sustainable crops to promote the eradication of poppies. We must provide all the support they, and all Americans working in that region, deserve to succeed as they strive to help bring a better future to these troubled lands.
“It also is promising that President Obama has said that this will be the last Emergency War Supplemental. For too many years, we have been spending off-budget, adding heavily to our deficit.”
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