Issue Position: Veteran and Foreign Affairs

Issue Position

The United States should have two goals: to maintain the best equipped and best trained fighting force in the world, and to use it as sparingly as possible. As a former Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve who served in the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Southern Watch and again served overseas following the September 11th terrorist attacks, and as the son of a World War II veteran, I understand the sacrifices that military families make on behalf of our nation.

That is why I believe it is our solemn duty to make sure that when our servicemen and women go into harms way they do so with the equipment and training they need to safely return. Our commitment to these brave men and women cannot be limited to supporting them when they are overseas. The insufficient care uncovered at Walter Reed and other military hospitals is inexcusable, and I am committed to ensuring that men and women returning from combat have access to the best care and services we can provide.

Creating peace and security in the Middle East must be one of our nation's top foreign policy objectives. To accomplish this, the U.S. must be a strong ally and supporter of Israel. Our nation must be actively engaged in the region, more so than we have been in the last eight years, and I will work to ensure that happens.

-Responsibly Ending the War in Iraq
-Peace and Security for Israel and the Middle East
-Keeping Our Promise to America's Veterans

Responsibly Ending the War in Iraq

The War in Iraq has now gone on longer than any American conflict other than Vietnam, and has cost more than any conflict other than World War II. The debate over whether or not we should have gone to war in Iraq is long over, and the question is now whether vital American interests are protected by our continued presence there. The men and women who have served in Iraq have done an admirable job under less than ideal conditions, but repeated deployments are taking their toll on our readiness and ability to respond to other vital threats.

That is why I support the President's plan to responsibly withdraw our troops and turn over the task of securing Iraq to the Iraqis. After conducting a comprehensive strategy review and consulting with top military and civilian leadership in Iraq and in Washington, President Obama has announced plans to withdraw most American combat troops by September 2010, with the remaining forces removed by the end of 2011.

The best way to ensure that American troops can be brought home as quickly as possible is to make sure that Iraqi troops are properly trained and equipped. That is why I supported legislation that permits the Secretary of Defense to transfer certain equipment to the Iraqi Security Forces to ensure that those forces can address internal security challenges in Iraq on their own and permit U.S. forces to responsibly redeploy.

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Peace and Security for Israel and the Middle East

In 1948, the United States became the first nation to recognize Israel's independence, just eleven minutes after it was declared by Prime Minister David Ben Gurion. Ever since, the United States and Israel have shared a special relationship, one rooted in the common values of democracy, respect for the rule of law, and pluralism. Support for Israel has long been a bedrock principal of American foreign policy, and I will work in Congress to ensure that the US-Israel relationship continues to grow stronger and that it remains non-partisan.

Unfortunately, the United States and Israel have also shared a common struggle against terrorism over the past decade, and both nations must be vigilant to prevent nuclear proliferation by rouge states and terrorist organizations. Having twice visited Israel, I understand the precarious nature of its security and the need for peace and stability in the region. Israel's security is non-negotiable and in the vital interest of the United States. That is why I voted to support Israel's right to self-defense in response to armed threats from Hamas and why I have co-sponsored legislation that will increase sanctions on Iran.

I also believe Israel's security is enhanced by a strong U.S. engagement in the region and that a secure Israel, with recognized and defensible borders, and a peaceful resolution to the conflict is in the long-term interest of all parties.

One of the biggest threats to Israel, as well to the entire region remains Iran, whose hostile anti-democratic government continues to pursue nuclear weapons in violation of international law. That is why I am a strong supporter of sanctions against Iran, and why I have cosponsored legislation such as the Iran Refined Petroleum Sanctions Act and the Iran Sanctions Enabling Act and am happy that both bills have passed the House and hope that a final bill will soon be signed into law.

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Keeping Our Promise to America's Veterans

Serving in the Armed Forces of the United States is one of the greatest gifts one can give to our country, and in return our country's promise to our servicemen and women is one of our most sacred covenants. Whether America is at peace or at war, our service members protect our country and provide us the freedom that makes the United States a great nation. That is why I will continue to fight to ensure that our veterans and military retirees receive all of the support and care they have earned, and that they return to their families with pride and honor.

As a former Lt. Commander in the Naval Reserve, I understand that it is no longer just those who sign up for active-duty service that are deployed to combat zones. I will fight for the extension of medical and education benefits to all of our nation's service members who are deployed, regardless of whether they enlisted as active duty, reserve or National Guard. As the son of a World War II veteran, I understand how important it is that our heroes return home to an America of opportunity. That is why I have supported a tax credit for small businesses that hire returned veterans.

We must also continue to ensure the Veterans' Administration is properly funded, running efficiently and is providing quality service to those who defended us. After years of neglect, it has become clear that the Veterans' Administration is not serving our veterans as well as they have served us. I was proud to support measures to allow the Veterans' Administration to digitize records and provide for increased funding to treat Traumatic Brain Injuries and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, the signature wounds of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The problems facing the VA affect all of our veterans. For some, this has meant waiting in a claims backlog a million entries long. For others, it has meant falling through the cracks while wounds go untreated. I was proud to cosponsor advanced appropriations legislation to provide for more predictable VA funding and legislation to reduce the VA claims backlog, and am working with the Department of Defense and the Veterans' Administration to ensure that service members in need of care are properly screened to receive the treatment they need.

Important as it is to express our respect, it takes more than kind words to truly honor our veterans. I look forward to continuing to bring the Veterans' Administration into the 21st Century, and will not stop until I am satisfied that our Veterans come home to an America with access to the education, employment and health care they so fully deserve.

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