Issue Position: War on Terror

Issue Position

Issue Position: War on Terror

On September 11th, the lives of over three thousand innocent people were taken in senseless acts of terror. Since then, thousands of brave men and women of our military have gone to the far corners of the world to defend the very freedoms that were attacked that day. The troops stationed abroad as part of the Global War on Terror include many brave soldiers from the Third District. These troops, along with the other units that have been activated in Arkansas, are making our state proud as they defend the ideals that make our nation great.

Operation Enduring Freedom has driven the Taliban from power, eliminating a safe haven for al-Qaeda and leading to the capture of thousands of suspected terrorists. al-Qaeda's leadership is now on the run and they no longer have a home base to plan and coordinate terrorist attacks.

Operation Iraqi Freedom has led to overthrow of a notorious regime that massacred its own people, refused to comply with United Nations demands for weapons inspections and to stop providing safe haven to terrorists. Iraq has become a focal point for the War on Terror as Osama bin Laden has sought to defeat the efforts of the people of Iraq to transform their nation into a peace-loving democracy so he can turn it into a radical Islamic state where al-Qaeda calls the shots. The U.S. air strike that killed called the man he called "the prince of al-Qaeda," Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, has dealt his organization a crucial blow by eliminating the man he trusted to wage his jihad in Iraq. It is a major victory in the War on Terror.

Both these missions are far from over, and the War on Terror is sure to continue until terrorists are no longer a threat to our security. I stand with my colleagues in Congress, who are united in this cause and supportive of President Bush's efforts to ensure the horrors of September 11th never happen again. I am committed to providing the president with all the resources he needs to win the War on Terror and to protect our homeland. I am extremely proud or our military and I will continue to support the brave men and women who are valiantly fighting to defend our way of life.

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