National Security

“This bill reflects the immutable and enduring bond between our two nations,” Whip Hoyer said.  “It is a bond that reflects the shared values of our people and our shared interests in preserving stability in the Middle East.  The threat from Iran’s nuclear ambitions is real and demands serious, cooperative effort by both the United States and Israel.  I am proud to put forward this legislation along with Majority Leader Cantor, and I am hopeful it will pass with strong support from across party lines.  It is a reminder that support for Israel is not and should never be a partisan issue.” 

Israel is truly the product of a dream fulfilled.  I have been personally enriched each of the twelve times I have visited Israel.  The most recent was last summer, when I brought twenty-six Members of Congress with me.  Now that I’ve been there twelve times, I guess you could say the next visit will be my ‘bar mitzvah’ trip.

I am always excited to be back at Pax River with some of the finest men and women in the Department of Defense.  Today I am especially glad to be here with you to introduce a man I have known for over thirty years.    We’re proud to have him at Pax River today to demonstrate all of the great work being done here and the critical importance of this installation to our military readiness and operations.

This Administration has pursued a strong national security policy that has achieved significant victories in eliminating Al-Qaeda leaders and decimating the group’s operational capabilities. It [has] engaged in successful cooperation and coordination with our NATO allies in Libya without losing a single American life and brought our troops back from Iraq with dignity. Today’s announcement follows a strategic review of defense policy and aims to strengthen our Armed Forces’ ability to address the challenges of a changing global security environment. In line with this new strategy, the defense budget will adapt to ensure that our military has all the resources it needs to support the changing mission, while at the same time contributing to comprehensive deficit reduction. Our deficits themselves represent a national security threat that must be addressed, further reason why it is important to achieve a big and balanced solution this year. This new strategy recognizes that our military continues to be the greatest in the world and a source of pride for all Americans.

One year ago tomorrow, we reached a milestone that marked a new era of opportunity for gay and lesbian Americans wishing to serve our country openly in uniform.  When President Obama signed the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Repeal Act of 2010” into law, providing for its repeal, our country declared an end to the discriminatory policy that told Americans they could not serve their country simply because of who they are and who they love. 

Last month, the IAEA released a report on Iran’s covert nuclear program that was greatly troubling. Not only is Iran continuing to enrich uranium, but they are also believed to be pursuing the development of delivery technologies to create a warhead that could threaten Israel and our allies in Europe and the Persian Gulf – and of course the many Americans serving and living in the region.

Seventy years ago this morning, our nation awoke to news that stirred hearts and steeled nerves to face the challenge of a generation. For the millions of Americans from every walk of life who answered the call to serve, the attack on our fleet at Pearl Harbor marked the beginning of a great struggle. On this anniversary we recall their heroism, their resolve, their perseverance toward achieving what President Roosevelt foretold would be their ‘inevitable triumph.’ We remember those who lie at final rest near the beaches they stormed and beneath the oceans they traversed in the service of our freedom. We honor the veterans in our communities who still bear the scars of that war and its stories of courage. Let us draw strength from their sacrifices that we may live up to their example in our generation by confronting America’s challenges through unity, determination, and an abiding faith that our greatest triumphs still lie ahead.

For more than two centuries, Americans from every background and every community have donned our nation’s uniform and marched off to defend the freedoms enshrined in our Constitution and our way of life. Too many never returned. Today, on Veterans Day, we honor those who did and recommit ourselves to standing up for them and the benefits they have earned through their service. We must never forget our duty to our veterans, especially to those now returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. They deserve quality, affordable health care to help heal their wounds – both physical and psychological – as well as opportunities for higher education and assistance transitioning to civilian jobs. Congress coming together to act in meeting our responsibility to them has never been more important than it is today, with a disturbingly high level of unemployment among young veterans. In this spirit, the 110th Congress passed the 21st Century G.I. Bill and worked to improve the VA health system, and it is this same spirit that I hope will lead the current Congress to put veterans’ needs ahead of politics once again and take action to help them find work.