Our fundamental goal in Afghanistan and Pakistan must be to strengthen the democratic governments of each country and assist them in their pursuit of the Taliban and other extremists. It is only by helping to strengthen and stabilize these democracies that we can effectively dissolve the ability of extremists to carry out further acts of aggression against the United States and our allies. But to do this, we need to intelligently allocate and utilize all of our "Smart Power" resources.
In 2002, while a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, I parted company with most of my colleagues and voted against giving President Bush the authority to invade Iraq. I have worked ever since to end a policy that has overstretched our military and diverted our attention and resources from the real terrorists who threaten our national security.
- I continue to actively participate in comprehensive oversight hearings that focus on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as our nation's overall efforts to combat terrorists around the world.
- I fully support funding our troops so they have the best possible training, equipment, protection and benefits available - all of the resources they need to carry out their mission securely and effectively and safely return home to their families and communities.
- I strongly support many new healthcare initiatives designed to ensure that our troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, and all of our nation's veterans, have access to the highest quality health care facilities, and mental and behavioral health professionals, to more effectively rehabilitate them from the wounds of war.
- In 2009, I travelled to Islamabad, where I met with senior Pakistani government officials. I also met with both Afghanistan President Karzai and Pakistan President Zardari later in the year, during their historic joint visit to Washington
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