Van Hollen Applauds Pakistan Enduring Assistance And Cooperation Enhancement Act

Press Release

Today, Congressman Chris Van Hollen issued the following statement on House passage of the Pakistan Enduring Assistance and Cooperation Enhancement Act:

"I applaud my colleagues on both sides of the aisle today for passing the Pakistan Enduring Assistance and Cooperation Enhancement Act, and I commend Congressman Berman for his tireless leadership on this important legislation. In passing this bill, we are strengthening the security, economy, and democratic institutions of Pakistan and ultimately strengthening our own national security.

"This legislation creates Reconstruction Opportunity Zones (ROZs) in Afghanistan and Pakistan, a program I have long advocated for. President Obama and the State Department have expressed strong support for this initiative. In announcing his strategy for Afghanistan, President Obama called on Congress to pass ROZ legislation and ‘develop the economy and bring hope to places plagued by violence.' In a recent letter to Speaker Pelosi, Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke called ROZs ‘a vital component of our policy towards Pakistan in a moment of great challenge, indeed crisis, for that critically important nation.'

"ROZs would allow non-trade-sensitive exports to enter the U.S. duty-free, and would improve important labor standards and extend opportunities to Afghani and Pakistani workers and businesses without taking away opportunities from American workers and businesses. By creating jobs, we counter al-Qaeda and Taliban recruitment efforts by offering alternatives to joining the insurgency. It also affirms our country's commitment to Pakistan and Afghanistan's success and stability, by creating a long-term, effective economic program that is directly aimed at improving the lives of individuals.

"With this bill, we are taking steps to forge a true strategic partnership with Pakistan and its people, strengthen its democratic government, and help Pakistan to be a force for stability in this volatile region. We are also supporting President Obama's request for $1.5 billion a year in economic, social, and democratic development assistance to Pakistan. I urge the Senate to move quickly so this important bill can be signed into law."

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