Washington, DC – On June 11, 2009, Congressman Al Green voted to pass H.R. 1886, the Pakistan Enduring Assistance and Cooperation Enhancement (PEACE) Act, a significant piece of legislation that will increase American aid to Pakistan to allow Pakistan to strengthen its democratic institutions and combat the forces of violent extremism.  The bill, which passed the House of Representatives by a 234-185 vote, supports President Obama’s request for $1.5 billion per year in aid to Pakistan.

“This bill not only does right by our national security, it also does right by the people of Pakistan.  By providing aid for Pakistan’s public schools, the bill will weaken the madrassas that terrorist groups use to recruit and will also expand opportunities, especially for Pakistan’s girls,” said Congressman Green.

H.R. 1886 contains several key provisions that demonstrate the United States’ long-term commitment to the Pakistani people. It establishes a Pakistan Freedom and Prosperity Fund, a permanent fund in the U.S. Treasury that serves as a conduit for all social and economic development assistance.  It authorizes increased Foreign Military Financing (FMF), while requiring that the vast majority of such assistance be used for counterterrorism and counterinsurgency purposes.  Additionally, it authorizes increased assistance for International Military Education and Training (IMET), which will enhance cooperation between the U.S. and Pakistani militaries.

“The security of Pakistan and the United States is inextricably linked.  We cannot succeed in defeating al Qaeda by ourselves.  Therefore, it is critically important that we develop a robust, long-term relationship with our strategic partners to prevail against those who threaten our national security.  H.R. 1886 will help us establish just such a relationship with Pakistan,” said Congressman Green.

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Congressman Green's remarks on the bill on the floor of the House of Representatives follow below:

“I'm supporting this legislation because it addresses both war and peace. And if I may, I'd like to focus on the peace initiative because, truth be told, the great issue of our time is not whether a superpower can police the world. A superpower can police the world. The great issue of our time is whether a superpower can bring peace to the world.

This piece of legislation helps us not only with war but also with peace because it helps us with economic development. It helps us to give people the opportunity to take care of themselves and sustain themselves, but it also helps us with education. The wealth of a nation is the education of its people. It helps us to bring the peace and stability that will be needed when the war is over. War can help us to provide a certain degree of security, but it won't provide the salvation that we need to have the peace.
    
I support this bill because it helps us when the war is over to have the peace and stability that Pakistan will need. I thank you, Mr. Chairman. It's a great piece of legislation.”