Afghanistan and Pakistan
Afghanistan-based al-Qaida terrorists attacked the United States on September 11, 2001, and Afghanistan and Pakistan remain a central front in our fight against Islamic extremists. The previous administration took its eye off the ball in Afghanistan by invading Iraq, stretching our resources too thin and distracting us from the war against al-Qaida. But in recent years, the United States and our allies have committed enough personnel and resources to realistically address the threats we face in Afghanistan, and our men and women in uniform continue to courageously meet these challenges.
Afghanistan is where al-Qaida plotted its 9/11 attacks against us, and our forces achieved a major objective by killing Osama bin Laden. International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) troops and Afghan security forces continue to take the fight to al-Qaida and the Taliban, but Islamic extremists in the region still present a threat. As the United States draws down its forces, it’s time for the Afghan government to start taking the lead in securing its country. The importance of the overall mission to achieve stability hasn’t changed, and the United States must continue to support the Afghans in this effort. It is in our national interest to continue to support that mission, because we can't afford for the region to become a haven for terrorists to attack Americans again - and we can't afford for nuclear weapons in neighboring Pakistan to fall into the wrong hands.
As a member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee and the Senate's Select Committee on Intelligence, it is my duty to oversee our country's military commitments, ensure that our troops have the resources they need to achieve their mission and ensure that our military and civilian efforts in the region are supported by the best intelligence possible. I receive regular briefings while in Washington, D.C., but visiting Afghanistan and Pakistan in person enables me to have an understanding of the realities on the ground in a way that no briefing - no matter how thorough - can fully capture.
In October 2011, I conducted my fourth congressional delegation trip to Afghanistan, and my third to the region as a Senator. Although many things have changed over the years, one thing that remains constant is the dedication and professionalism of our troops. Soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines from Colorado continue to do heroic and essential work in Afghanistan, and I am always mindful of their hard work and sacrifice in defense of our security and our freedom.
While the road to stability in Afghanistan is still fraught with challenges, the most viable way to sustain security gains is to build the capabilities of the Afghans themselves. Although our mission to train and mentor Afghan National Security Forces has been a top priority for some time, we are beginning to hand off security responsibilities to Afghan forces, who will have the lead security role throughout the country by late 2014. Pakistan is also a significant part of the challenge we face, and we must continue to hold it accountable - a message I have delivered to the highest levels of the Pakistani government.
I am deeply disturbed by the trend of so-called “insider attacks” by Afghan security forces against our troops, and by the increasing number of Taliban attacks against civilian targets. I continue to monitor the situation closely and receive frequent updates from our senior military leaders and diplomatic personnel in the region, and I will continue to support the brave Coloradans - and all American service members - who are serving with great courage and honor.
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 also on diplomacy and civilian expertise.
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Investing in Americans' health
Read the op-ed I authored in the Denver Post addressing the growing problem of obesity and its impacts on our health, health care spending and quality of military recruits.
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Military shouldn’t be over a barrel on fuel
Read the op-ed I wrote in Stars and Stripes on the importance of securing our energy future and improving our national security by investing in the military's use and development of alternative-fuel technology.
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Supporting Veterans Exposed to Hazardous Chemicals
On Nov. 3, 2011, I co-sponsored Senator Tom Udall's bipartisan Open Burn Pit Registry Act (S.1798) because our service members overseas are too frequently exposed to toxic fumes and chemicals from burn pits used to incinerate trash including human waste, plastic, batteries, scrap metals, solvents, and other potentially hazardous materials. We must do more to track and identify those exposed to hazardous chemicals from burn pits, to allow the Department of Veterans Affairs to better understand and treat the threat posed by exposure to these fumes. Our servicemen and women put their lives on the line for our safety, and in return we have promised to provide them with the best possible care. I will always fight to protect and promote the health of our men and women in uniform.
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Visiting the Front Lines
In October 2011, I made my fourth trip as a Senator to Afghanistan and Pakistan to gain firsthand knowledge of front-line military operations, diplomatic efforts and operations against insurgent groups. When I returned, I authored an op-ed for the Steamboat Pilot about the future of the region.
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Fighting for the Best Health Care for our Troops
Our service members and their families sacrifice everything for our security, and they deserve the best care we can provide for them. With post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI) affecting so many of our returning service members, it is especially important that we address these hidden wounds of war. That is why I recently introduced two amendments to the Fiscal Year 2011 National Defense Authorization Act to improve the quality and accessibility of behavioral health care available to these heroes. One amendment would extend suicide-prevention services to active-duty troops and veterans in Colorado and across the country. The second would expand a behavioral health pilot program, which has been successful at Fort Carson, making it available to at least three other Army installations. When it comes to behavioral health care, the military has made significant progress. But the fact remains that too many of our troops return from service suffering from PTSD or TBI and struggle to get access to the care they need. I will always fight to ensure service members and veterans get the care they were promised and that they have earned.
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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 are eligible to remain on their parents' health insurance policies up to age 26. In April 2010, I introduced the TRICARE Dependent Coverage Extension Act, to make certain that families of our armed service members are not left behind when it comes to this important benefit. Extending insurance to cover young Americans until age 26 is critical, especially as they make the transition into the tough job market. Signed into law in December 2010, my bill now provides families who get their coverage through TRICARE - the military's insurance program - with the same benefit.
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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.