Titus: Supplemental Provides for Our Troops and Refocuses Efforts in Afghanistan

Press Release

Congresswoman Dina Titus of Nevada's Third District voted today in support of H.R. 2346, the War Supplemental Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2009, which provides funding for our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, pandemic flu response, and aid to the Afghanistan and Pakistan governments to promote stability and security in the region.

The Supplemental Appropriations bill also includes $743 million to retroactively provide servicemembers and veterans $500 for every month they served under stop-loss orders, forcing them to remain on active duty longer than planned, since 2001.

"This legislation provides our troops in harm's way with the resources and equipment they need to achieve success in Iraq and Afghanistan," Congresswoman Titus said. "And by giving our veterans and servicemembers pay for their stop-loss service, we are recognizing the hardship placed on them and their families and rewarding their brave service to our country."

The legislation also provides $5.1 billion for Afghanistan, including $3.6 billion for training Afghan security forces and police and $980 million for economic development and expanding the rule of law. Pakistan will receive $2.3 billion under this bill, including $400 million to help train and equip security forces for counterinsurgency. The President will be required to report to Congress by February 2010 on the performance of the Afghan and Pakistani government in key areas.

"Our current mission in Afghanistan is critical to our efforts to defeat al Qaeda and root out terrorism in order to make our nation safer. These funds will help move toward the goal of a strong and stable Afghanistan that can meet its own security needs. The men and women in our Armed Services face serious challenges each and every day overseas, and it is my duty as a Member of Congress to ensure they have the support they need to complete their mission," Titus added.

The Supplemental provides $2 billion for pandemic flu response that will be used to expand the federal stockpiles of anti-viral drugs, develop and purchase vaccines, assist state and local responses, and support global efforts to track and contain the spread of a pandemic.

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