On the recordMay 26, 2011
I cannot imagine anything more shortsighted than cutting off funding for the U.S. Institute of Peace. Since 2001, we've taken the militaristic approach to protecting America. And guess what? It has not worked. It's killed thousands of our people. It's cost us hundreds of billions of dollars. And it has not made us any safer. For pennies on the dollar, we can have what I call ``smart security,'' investing in programs like USIP that use time-tested conflict prevention and resolution techniques. From Kosovo to Sudan to Iraq and Afghanistan, USIP personnel have been laying the building blocks of peace and stability. Created by Ronald Reagan's presidential signature, it has been called ``a striking success story'' by General Petraeus. It does extraordinary work that has earned praise from leaders across the ideological spectrum. USIP saves lives. It's up to us to save USIP. Vote ``no'' on this misguided amendment.
