Afghanistan and Pakistan
Eight years after Afghanistan-based Al Qaeda terrorists plotted against the United States and attacked us on September 11th, Afghanistan and Pakistan remain the central front in the global fight against Islamic extremism. While our men and women in uniform have courageously met the challenges they have faced, the fact is that the previous Administration took its eye off the ball in Afghanistan.
In December 2009, with security deteriorating in the region, President Obama announced a new way forward - one that signals to the Afghan and Pakistani governments that they must step up to meet their commitments and that our own military commitment to Afghanistan is not open-ended. Although there are no easy or risk-free choices, the President has made a reasoned case for a strategy to refocus our attention on rooting out Al Qaeda, stabilizing the region, and beginning to transition our forces out of Afghanistan.
We all recognize that there is no purely military solution to this conflict. I have long called for increasing troops in Afghanistan, boosting the number of military trainers to build the Afghan Security Forces, and for a civilian surge.
President Obama's new strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan embraces these goals. It also recognizes that achieving the "core objective" - disrupting, dismantling, and defeating Al Qaeda and its safe havens in Pakistan, and preventing their return to Pakistan or Afghanistan - means an international commitment to building security, improving governance, and fostering development.
Afghanistan is where Al Qaeda plotted its 9/11 attacks against us. We can't afford for it to become a haven for terrorists to attack Americans again - and we can't afford for nuclear weapons in Pakistan to fall into the wrong hands.
As we move forward, I intend to keep our mission in Afghanistan focused on achievable and specific goals that rely not only on our military power but on diplomacy and civilian expertise. As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I am working across the aisle to do what Coloradans elected me to do - support responsible strategies that will ensure our nation is safe.
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Tricare 26
Expanding Health Coverage for Our Military Families: As part of health insurance reform, which was signed into law March 2010, young adults will soon be eligible to remain on their parents' health insurance policies up to age 26. Recently, I introduced the TRICARE Dependent Coverage Extension Act (S. 3201), to make certain that families of our armed service members are not left behind when this provision is implemented. Extending insurance to cover young Americans until age 26 is critical, especially as they make the transition into the tough job market. This important bill would ensure that this same benefit is available to young adults in families who get their coverage through the TRICARE program - the Department of Defense health insurance program for military service members, retirees, and their families.
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Visiting the Front Lines
In May 2009, I traveled to Afghanistan and Pakistan to gain firsthand knowledge of front-line military operations. When I returned, I authored an op-ed for The Denver Post about the future of the region.
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Security Strategy
In Senate Armed Services Committee hearings and meetings, I have questioned Defense and State Department leaders - including Secretaries Gates and Clinton, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Admiral Mullen, General McChrystal, Ambassador Eikenberry, and Special Representative Richard Holbrooke - on how we can implement a tough, smart security strategy in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
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Achieving our Goals for the Region
Through future Senate Armed Services Committee hearings, scrutiny of budget requests and policy proposals, and visits to the region, I will continue to focus on ensuring we are taking the necessary steps to achieve our goals in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
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Military Advisory Committee
In 2009, I formed a Military Advisory Committee in Colorado to provide greater insight into the issues facing our Armed Forces. The members of my Military Advisory Committee have a wide range of professional backgrounds in varied defense fields and represent different political views. The expertise, advice, and ideas this committee provides will be instrumental in helping me shape smart policies that keep us safe and that keep Colorado's interests in mind.
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National Homeland Defense Foundation Symposium
On Veterans Day in 2009, I was honored to speak at the National Homeland Defense Foundation Symposium in Colorado Springs. In my speech to the group, I highlighted the need for a tough but smart national security policy. As I told this group, we must have a broad approach to our security, whether it is supporting the important roles NORTHCOM and NORAD play in keeping the homeland safe or increasing our focus on the threats presented by cyberterrorism.
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Senate Armed Services Committee
From my position on the Senate Armed Services Committee, I have helped secure authorization and robust funding for Colorado's military installations and kept funding on track to accelerate destruction of chemical weapons at the Pueblo Chemical Depot. In 2009, I led the fight for funding to help with the problem of encroachment at military installations, which can jeopardize an installation's mission and the economic well-being of surrounding communities. And I successfully pushed for increased oversight and coordination of efforts across the military services to improve our energy security.
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Halifax International Security Forum
In November 2009, Senator John McCain and I led a Congressional delegation to the Halifax International Security Forum. The focus of this inaugural forum was to increase global discussion and cooperation on such issues as Afghanistan, nuclear proliferation, international law, and emerging terrorism threats. I look forward to continuing to work to increase cooperation and bipartisanship on difficult issues through events like the Halifax Forum.
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Mental Health Care
Making sure that our veterans and soldiers get access to quality medical care, including behavioral health services, is critical. In October 2009, I pressed Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki to allow greater veterans' access to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) treatment programs by broadening the standards of what constitutes legitimate PTSD claims. PTSD is an increasingly common ailment on today's battlefields, and we must do all we can to ensure America's veterans get the care they have earned.