U.S. REP. GABRIELLE GIFFORDS VOTES TO FIGHT ILLEGAL DRUG TRAFFICKING

Legislation funds operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, and strengthens border security

WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords today was part of a bipartisan majority voting to fight drug trafficking along Arizona’s border with Mexico.

Giffords was among 368 members of the House – including six from Arizona – who voted for legislation that provides $350 million for National Guard counter narcotics on the border.

The funds are part of a $96.7 billion national security spending plan that includes funding for the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and healthcare for servicemembers and their families.

“Democrats and Republicans stood together today for stronger border security,” said Giffords, whose 8th Congressional District in Southeastern Arizona includes 114 miles of international border. “These funds are critical to helping us combat the drug and human smuggling cartels that have transformed so much of the U.S.-Mexico border into a war zone.”

The legislation passed by the House this afternoon also supports the Mexican government’s “aggressive action” against organized crime on the border. It provides Mexico with $470 million in foreign aid to address border violence.

Approximately $73 billion will pay for ongoing operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, including sending an additional 21,000 troops to Afghanistan. It also includes $400 million for counterinsurgency training in Pakistan and $2 billion to respond to the H1N1 flu outbreak.

To improve military healthcare, the bill provides:

• $100 million for research into Traumatic Brain Injury and psychological health issues including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
• $68 million for orthopedic and other trauma research, treatment and rehabilitation.
• $20 million to purchase equipment for rehabilitation facilities that will enable continued state-of-the-art care for soldiers with various types of injuries to recover to their full potential.
• $1.1 billion for hospital construction to replace hospitals that are decades old and do not meet current standards for medical care.
• $488 million to help soldiers wounded in combat recover and remain on active duty or transition to civilian life and support families through this process.
• $263 million to accelerate and enhance the construction of new hospitals at Bethesda and Ft. Belvoir to replace Walter Reed.
• Over $739 million for family advocacy programs, which provide families with access to child psychologists, child care, financial counseling and other support.
• $276 million for the construction of twenty-five new child development centers, which will provide care for an additional 5,000 kids. 
• $238 million for the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program, which will provide information, services, referral, and proactive outreach programs to members of the reserve and their families for the challenges of mobilization and their return to civilian life.