Tom Lantos: “I fully support the conference report and urge all my colleagues to support this critical legislation. Mr. Speaker, I…”

“I fully support the conference report and urge all my colleagues to support this critical legislation. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address a very important provision that is contained in this legislation, section 603 of the Supplemental Appropriations Act, relating to the dangerous security situation on Afghanistan, which is jeopardizing U.S. efforts to stabilize and democratize that war-torn nation. On May 21, 2002, I offered an amendment to H.R. 3969, the Afghanistan Freedom Support Act of 2002, which is substantially similar to section 603 and was adopted by vote of 407-4. My amendment and section 603 require the Administration to submit a strategy for addressing this critical problem. Under section 603, the Administration is required to submit a report on the strategy for meeting the immediate security needs, and a further report within 90 days on the long term strategy for meeting long term security needs in Afghanistan.”