Political Quotes

On the recordJanuary 24, 2011
Thank you. Reclaiming my time, I appreciate the gentleman for reaffirming that position. Now let's take a look at what that means. That means not exempt from these drastic cuts are: weapons in training to build the capacity of key partners in the fight against terror in Yemen, in Pakistan, in the Philippines. That's all part of our security assistance package, part of our international affairs budget; financing for the purchase of U.S. military equipment to ensure Israel's qualitative military edge; defense items and services that enable other countries to cooperate with us on counterterrorism. In Afghanistan, they're cuts that would mean an end to the civilian surge. It would force the military to perform civilian jobs. The reductions would harm four Provincial Reconstruction Teams and forward operating bases, security forces and police training, explosive ordnance disposal, counternarcotics and poppy eradication programs. In Iraq, the state programs that would be harmed by virtue of the gentleman's definition of 'non-security funds' that have to be dramatically cut back are: training for Iraqi police and security forces to take over when the U.S. troops depart; funding for our Special Inspectors General in Iraq and Afghanistan to ensure that programs are designed to achieve maximum impact and are properly managed and implemented.
Said by
Howard Berman
California

Editor's note · Context

The speaker addresses the impact of budget cuts on U.S. security assistance and international operations.

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