Jim Kolbe: “I do rise in support of House Joint Resolution 107 to provide continuing resolutions for the operations of the United…”

“I do rise in support of House Joint Resolution 107 to provide continuing resolutions for the operations of the United States Government. A number of sections in this continuing resolution do apply to the foreign operations appropriations and many of these items have a direct bearing in our war on terrorism. Section 117 allows Pakistan, our vital ally in the war on terror, to continue to be eligible for U.S. assistance during the period of the CR. As we know, Pakistan's active participation in the war on terror is critical to U.S. efforts in Afghanistan. Section 119 allows the Millennium Challenge Corporation to offer a limited assistance to those countries that meet some of the criteria for MCC assistance but cannot yet get over the threshold of the criteria that is required for that. The administration is working more slowly than I think a lot of us would like to establish which countries would be eligible for this additional special assistance. Section 123 allows the Overseas Private Investment Corporation to follow through on transactions to promote the private sector and greater employment opportunities for Iraqis during the period of the CR.”