Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet released the following statement on Senate passage of an amendment he cosponsored with Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) that would discourage the United States from sending security assistance to Pakistan until U.S. officials certify that the Pakistani government is making significant efforts toward regulating and reducing the flow of materials used in roadside bombs, the biggest killer of troops in Afghanistan. The amendment passed the Senate as part of the FY2012 National Defense Authorization Act.
“Coloradans serving in our armed forces put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe, and we need to provide our troops and military personnel with the means and protection they need to complete their missions and keep us safe,” said Bennet. “This amendment is just one important tool we should use to ensure Pakistani officials are working to stop the flow of these harmful materials and protect our troops from the greatest threat against them.”
The House has already passed its version of the National Defense Authorization Act. Next, a House and Senate conference committee will meet to work out the differences in the bill before it is sent to the President to be signed into law.
For more information on the Bennet-backed amendment, click here.