Jeanne Shaheen

We have a choice to stay where we are on the path that is not seemingly effective, move toward a path that I am suggesting, or the alternative is that we pull back and we let the conflict take its course.

If the mission there were to leave, then those 200,000 would be very much at risk in terms of their personal security.

I know my time is up, Mr. Chairman, but can I just ask, what happens if the international community leaves entirely?

But there's disagreement among your panel members as to whether that is in fact what might happen.

What is the policy of the United States at this time?

Under the current agreement, yes.

I have lost confidence in the peace process.

But we think the important thing is for them to actually come up with a reform package and agree on it.

There are issues that are under consideration right now, consideration of electronic I.D. cards, of the question of constituencies.

We think what is really important in the near term is that the Government of Afghanistan agree on what electoral reforms are absolutely necessary to conduct elections as soon as possible.

It is disappointing to me that we have had a few people in the Senate and in the House who have blocked something that has been very important to our efforts on the ground in Afghanistan.

Without any action from Congress to authorize additional visas for the Afghan Special Immigrant Visa program, not only will that program expire but thousands of Afghans who have provided valuable service to our Embassy there... will be…

I think you point out that what we have done is we have let the American people think that we can do these kinds of interventions without any cost to America, and that is a dangerous precedent to set.

I share the issues that you raised in your testimony with respect to the importance of nuclear power as we're addressing our need to reduce carbon emissions.

I'm disappointed... that we have not been responsive in the way that we should in order to address the future challenges.

I want to thank both of you for your testimony today and hopefully we can move this forward as expeditiously as possible in the Senate.

I think it is an important message not just to our allies but also to Russia as we look at the future of NATO.

I wonder if you could talk about what kind of a signal we would send by expeditiously approving Montenegro's accession to NATO.

Thank you, Senator Murphy.

I would ask unanimous consent to submit for the record testimony from Senator Cardin, who was not able to be here.

The door is open if they are willing to make the sacrifices necessary.

I am a big believer that stability in the Balkans is very important to the security of Europe.

My understanding is the Russians have a significant amount of investment in Montenegro.

The first line of defense is NATO solidarity with its members.

If there are attempts by Russia to punish Montenegro for its joining NATO, are there ways in which NATO can help Montenegro respond to Russian action?