‘Unlike some of our previous recent debates, broad bipartisan agreement now exists in support of the proposition that the efforts of our servicemen and women should be funded and supported’

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell made the following statement Thursday regarding the emergency funding for combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Supplemental Appropriations Act passed in the Senate with a vote of 91-5: “As the Senate takes up legislation today on emergency funding for combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, U.S. forces overseas can be reassured by this: unlike some of our previous recent debates, broad bipartisan agreement now exists in support of the proposition that the efforts of our servicemen and women should be funded and supported.

“The supplemental agreement we’re considering today includes nearly $80 billion for the Defense Department. This funding will allow General Odierno and our uniformed men and women in Iraq to preserve the security gains they achieved during the surge, continue the transition to greater Iraqi control and capability, and deny refuge to Al Qaeda in Iraq.

“These funds will also be used to support a surge of forces in Afghanistan. And to those of us who ignored previous calls for arbitrary withdrawal dates in Iraq, it’s particularly encouraging to see that President Obama has accepted the recommendations of General Petraeus for sending additional forces into Afghanistan. Success there isn’t assured. Looking ahead, we can expect continued challenges associated with the upcoming Afghan national elections, the need to continue the expansion of the Afghan National Army and Police, and the need to combat corruption within the Afghan ministries. But the President was right to direct a surge of forces, appoint a new commander, and refocus our efforts on a broad counterinsurgency strategy to combat the Taliban.

“Republicans support this surge and understand that broad security gains in Afghanistan cannot be achieved without the sustained improvement of the Afghanistan National Army and police forces. But this strategy will also require a sustained effort on the part of the government, the people, and the military forces of Pakistan to deny the Taliban, Al Qaeda, and associated groups sanctuary in the Tribal Areas of Pakistan.

“Just two months ago, the situation in Pakistan appeared to be so dire that the Secretary of State openly voiced concern that ‘the Pakistani government is basically abdicating to the Taliban and to extremists.’ Since that time, the Pakistani military has moved in force into the Swat Valley to combat this threat. Our commitment to helping Pakistan prevail in this fight, which must be conducted as a counterinsurgency if it is to succeed, must be sustained. Fortunately, the Supplemental contains funds to allow it.

“Another important issue that must be addressed is the effort by some to force the release of photos depicting the alleged mistreatment or mistreatment of detainees in Iraq and Afghanistan. I’m afraid that those encouraging the release of these photos fail to appreciate the potential consequences of such a release. The United States has painfully come to learn that Al Qaeda and the Taliban are sophisticated communicators who exploit the airwaves and the internet. That’s why the concerns expressed by our military commanders over the release of additional photos depicting the alleged mistreatment of detainees were of equal concern to our allies and friends. Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and other countries deal each day with the threat of militant radicals. They know how these images can be exploited by terrorist groups, and the bitter consequences that could follow. Senators Lieberman, Graham, and McCain should be commended for making these concerns their own — and carrying them to the American people.

“Senator Graham noted on the floor yesterday that he believes the President shares the Senate’s concerns about the potential dangers of releasing these photos. Last evening we passed legislation that would prevent any additional strategic harm from the release of photographs like these. Now the House must act.

“Although Republicans support the President’s Supplemental for our operations and overall objectives in Iraq and Afghanistan, a bipartisan majority disagree with the President in one important respect — and that’s the administration’s request for $80 million from Congress for the purpose of closing the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay before the administration even has a place to put the detainees who are housed there, any plan for military commissions, or any articulated plan for indefinite detention or for transferring detainees in a manner that ensures the safety of the American people.

“During January of this year, by executive order, the President established an arbitrary date for closing the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay. In April, the administration submitted its funding request to close Guantanamo as part of this supplemental bill, and the Senate voted 90-6 against including that funding. But it is worth reminding the Senate that the defense budget request for fiscal year 2010 includes a similar funding request, so the Senate will consider this matter again in the near future.

“Bipartisan majorities of both houses and the American people oppose closing Guantanamo without a plan, and several important questions remain unanswered: why was it necessary to bring detainees to the United States for prosecution, rather than using the courtroom at Guantanamo? If these terrorists are found to be not guilty by a civilian court, will they be returned to detention or released? What threat assessments were conducted prior to the recent transfers of detainees to Iraq, Chad, and Saudi Arabia?

“The task force established by the President to review the closure of Guantanamo is scheduled to conclude its work in July, so Congress may learn of the administration’s plans later this year. But this conference report requires the President to report to the Congress concerning the threat any further detainees who are released or transferred pose to the American people and our service members overseas. This will be of increasing importance as the Task Force decides the fate of detainees from Yemen.

“As I said, Republicans supported the President when he reconsidered his plan to withdraw forces from Iraq. It’s our hope that he will show similar openness when it comes to his arbitrary deadline for closing Guantanamo. The Senate has spoken clearly on this issue repeatedly. It’s our hope that the administration heeds the wishes of the American people as expressed through their elected representatives when it comes to releasing and transferring dangerous terrorists.

“As the arbitrary closure date approaches, we will continue to press this issue forward.

“The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have placed a great strain on our combat forces, the weapons and equipment that they need to succeed and on the training base that helps to keep the force ready. This bill continues the Senate’s support for this force, and for the dangerous missions that they undertake on our behalf, and therefore it deserves our support. It is not perfect, but it meets the needs of our commanders in the field. America remains a nation at war. Our forces fighting these wars deserve our support, and the funding in this bill.”

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