BIDEN/LUGAR Legislation on Pakistan Passes SFRC

[Muttocracy]

http://biden.senate.gov/press/press_releases/release/?id=e4b56754-bf2c-484a-a2a1-8682ffe18264

July 29, 2008

Washington, DC – Landmark legislation on Pakistan, first introduced two weeks ago by Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Joseph R. Biden, Jr. (D-DE) and the Committee’s Ranking Member Richard Lugar (R-IN) passed by a unanimous voice vote out of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee today. The bill (S. 3263) authorizes tripling non-military aid to Pakistan and sustains it over at least five years. Specifically, the legislation authorizes $7.5 billion over 5 years in aid that can be used for development purposes, such as building schools, roads and clinics. The bill also imposes greater accountability on security assistance to improve Pakistani counterterrorism capabilities; ensure more effective efforts against the Taliban and Al Qaeda; and bolster the democratic process.

...

Cosponsors of the Biden/Lugar legislation include Senators Obama (D-IL), Hagel (R-NE), Kerry (D-MA), Casey (D-PA), Boxer (D-CA), Durbin (D-IL), Carper (D-DE), Dodd (D-CT) and Clinton (D-NY).

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[jillan]

1. Next stop - the Senate floor!

Hope we get a heads-up when he presents it.

[gateley]

2. He's just SO GOOD! nt