Committees_ForeignAffairs

**Mission Statement****:** The Foreign Affairs Committee is responsible for all foreign relations including, foreign assistance, peacekeeping, promoting democracy and war powers such as treaties, strategic planning, peace talks, also use and deployment of the U.S. Armed Forces.


 * History:** The Committee of Foreign Affairs can be traced back to 1775 when t he Continental Congress created a committee, by resolution "for the sole purposes of corresponding with our friends of Great Britain, Ireland, and other parts of the world." It was officially established in 1816 as one of the original ten committees. Since then it has been renamed several times but in 2007, it was officially changed from International Relations to Committee of Foreign Affairs. The committee is in the House of Representatives but also has a sister committee, The Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs which deals with leading foreign-policy legislation and debate in the Senate. In the past the Committee on Foreign Affairs has debated many different issues such as the purchase of Alaska in 1867 and the Establishment of the United Nations in 1945.

According to Dictionary.com the definition of foreign affairs is the affairs concerning international relations and national interest in foreign countries. The foreign affairs committee has been around for close to two centuries. The Committee is part of the Senate and House and has several members involved in it and is always dealing with other countries on issues that could relate to anything important. The Foreign Affairs Committee was established in 1779 but there was no permanent body of people who dealt with foreign affairs until 1816. During that year, Continental Congress divided this committee into two different groups; the House and the Senate. These two committees have played a crucial role in American history for several reasons. The first group was the Senate group, and evidence of this group could be traced back until 1775. When it was made part of the Senate in 1816, it has been a key factor in developing United States policy and it supported and opposed policies put forth from the President and Secretary. The Senate committee has also dealt with many important factors which actually help shape American land and start an international peace keeping program. For example, the purchasing of Alaska in 1867 and the creation of the United Nations in 1945 were two of their biggest accomplishments. Also they were a part of the rejection and acceptance of certain treaties and documents like the Marshall Plan and Treaty of Versailles. The Senate does not have a lot of notable members that most of us would know unfortunately. The only two notable names were John F. Kerry and Joseph Biden, The second group of Foreign Affair officials was the House. Like the Senate, their history can also be traced all the way back to 1775. But unlike the Senate, the House was actually the first group to represent the United States in foreign affairs. The House played a crucial part in relations between the United States and England especially during the years of quarreling between the two nations. This house actually passed the first declaration of war voting 79-49. Another key event in which they took part in was the Vietnam War. They voted down to stop funding the war in 1973. The House is involved in a lot more affairs now especially with Middle Eastern Nations because of the war. As for famous members of this committee, it had a lot more than the Senate. They had big names such as Benjamin Franklin, who was the first chairman of the committee. Also, two Presidents took chairmen at one point in this committee’s history. They were James K. Polk in 1827 and John Quincy Adams in 1842. These two committees can be very different and very similar in many aspects of dealing with foreign affairs. They have different beliefs in such things such as war and other political matters, but they have the same view in the sense that they are trying to be understanding and willing to work with other nations to make our nation what it is today.

**Past/Recent Hearings:** There are many issues that the Foreign Affairs Committee has been working on this past year. One of the issues is the **Afghan Women Empowering Act.** This act expresses the sense of congress that the protection of the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan and their full participation in the reestablishment of democracy are essential to Afghanistan’s reconstruction. To achieve such reconstruction the U.S government must commit resources to advance the rights of women throughout Afghanistan. Then there is the **Peace Corps Improvement and Expansion Act. **This requires the Director of the Peace Corps to assess, develop a strategic plan for, and report to the appropriate congressional committees how best to: (1) strengthen Peace Corps management capabilities and program effectiveness; (2) expand volunteer opportunities; and (3) increase the size of the Peace Corps. The Foreign Affairs Committee also has an upcoming agenda for this year. One of the items on their list is the **Hague Convention on the International Recovery of Child Support and other Forms of Family Maintenance Act.** The object of this convention is to ensure the effective recovery of child support and other forms of family maintenance. The convention seeks to achieve this purpose by providing rules that will for the first time on a world wide scale, create uniform, simple, and inexpensive procedures for the establishment, recognition and the enforcement of child support and family maintenance obligations in international cases. **Ugandan Anti-Gay Legislation Threatens Human Rights, Reverses Gains in HIV/AIDS Fight **, Howard L. Berman (D-CA), chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, introduced a bipartisan congressional resolution condemning anti-gay legislation now making its way through the parliament in Uganda. “The proposed Ugandan bill not only threatens human rights, it also reverses so many of the gains that Uganda has made in the fight against HIV/AIDS. This issue has united leaders of different political and religious views in Uganda and worldwide in one common belief in the rights of all human beings regardless of sexual orientation.”

[]Committees_ForeignAffairs
-Proposal for the United Sates to join NATO was APPROVED by Congress on
 * __UPDATES:__**
 * Febuary 12, 2010**

-Proposal to gradually increase the troops in Vietnam from 2,000 to 8,000, with the promise to hault operations once the situation is stabilized. Proposal was REJECTED.
 * March 3, 2010**

-The committee was unable to bring forth other legislative proposals in which we brought to light, the current situation invloving Soviet missiles on Cuban soil. Efforts will be put in place to open communication with Russia and Cuba. In return for Soviet arms to be dismantled in Cuba, deduction of arms in Turkey will follow to resolve such issues in a peaceful and economic manner. In popular interests of Americans, as well as the World's to avoid possible hostilities including WWIII or the deployment of weapons of mass destruction.

**March 24, 2010**
====-Proposal to establish a select committee of the Senate to conduct an investigation and study of the extent, if any, to which illegal, improper, or unethical activities were engaged in by any persons, acting individually or in combination with others, in the presidential election of 1972, or any campaign, canvass, or other activity related to it.==== ====-The Proposal was Approved. The Committee believed that it was necessary to investigate further into the the wrong doings of the government and bring to justice those persons related to unethical activities involving Watergate.====

I do not believe that Ford should have pardoned Nixon after his resignation from office. No one should be allowed to live above the law. Nixon had committed crimes such as fraud and bribery and then denied it publicly to the American people. When tried, others convicted of involvement in the Watergate Scandal were sentenced to serve time. Nixon needed to be set as the example that no matter where you stand in power, responsibility must be taken for your actions. -Rema Tokatli
 * Nixon's Pardon:**

I personally believe that Ford should not have pardoned Nixon after the Watergate Scandal. We live in a country where all are considered equal and no one person no matter thier title should be able to live above the law. Lying to the American people and committing other illegal acts as a President is inexcusable. By sending Nixson to be tried like a normal citizen the country would have sent a strong message that no one gets away with breaking the law. Other White House officials were charged and faced jail time Nixson shouldn't have been an exception. -Emily Bowman


 * Recent Bill Under Review**: Our committee was recently given the following bill to review and vote on, The D.C Act. This bill wanted to consider Washington D.C a state complete with representation but without actually being called a state. After reviewing this bill the committee decided to have the authors revise it to say that D.C would take the steps to becoming a state. The committee felt that it was inappropriate to give D.C the benefits of a state without actually being one.

Section 06 (10:30): Anderson, Christensen, Ngo, Salines

 * __Congress Day 1__ - February 3, 2010:**

The Committee on Foreign Relations goal is to promote democracy throughout the world and to maintain civil and peaceful relations with all countries of the world.
 * Mission Statement:**

The Committee on Foreign Affairs is charged with overseeing all foreign policy legislation, which falls under the jurisdiction of the committee. The Committee will oversee the U.S. Agency for International Development, the State Department, The Millenium Challenge Corporation, and the Peace Corps. The Committee also has the right to oversee affairs which include but are not limited to events of national security that effect foreign policy, arms control, international law, international law enforcement, matters of diplomacy, and peace keeping. The Committee's jurisdiction also includes oversight and review of foreign economic, military and humanitarian assistance; along with international treaties and peace negotiations. The Committee on Foreign Affairs reviews and considers all diplomatic nominations by the senate. The Committee can review all international treaties and declarations of war. The committee also is required to review and report on international economic policies and how they relate to the United States, along with issues of hunger and nutrition in foreign countries. A goal of the Committee on Foreign Relations is to promote democracy.
 * Charge to the Committee:**

The Committee on Foreign Affairs was previously called the Committee of Correspondence and later as the Committee on Secret Correspondence. The committee was created in November 29, 1775. The decision to create the committee was made by the Continental Congress who wanted to maintain contact with foreign countries such as Great Britain, Ireland, and many other countries of the world. The first chairman for the committee was Benjamin Franklin, and other members of the committee included Benjamin Harrison, Thomas Johnson, Jr., John Dickinson, and John Jay. The creation of this committee was significant in history because it represented the United States in the field of foreign affairs. Congress currently has two devisions of the committee: the House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
 * Committee History:**

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee was created in 1816. The committee has been held responsible for developing and influencing the United States foreign policy. Some important treaties and legislations that this committee was involved in were the purchase of Alaska in 1867 and the establishment of the United Nations in 1945. This committee has also been involved in the rejection of the Treaty of Versailles in 1919 and 1920 as well as the passage of the Marshall Plan in 1948 and the Truman Doctrine in 1947. The current chairman of this committee is Senator John F. Kerry of Massachusetts.

The House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs was created ten years after the War of 1812. One of the principle events this committee was involved in was the Vietnam War. In August 15, 1973, this committee voted to end U.S. participation in Vietnam. The committee sought to prohibit the use of funds that would support combat activities in North and South Vietnam, Laos, or Cambodia. As a result of this war, the important role of this committee have increased. The current chairman of this committee is Howard L. Berman of California.


 * Should the president be limited to two terms?** The Committee on Foreign Affairs believe that the president should be limited to two terms. Two terms equal eight years. We believe if the president cannot carry out their set and planned duties within this time frame, then the president is not fit to lead the nation. Eight years is a long time for a president to accomplish what he needs to. When the years are up, it is better to have another person come into term to create new policies and input new ideas.


 * __Congress Day 2__ - February 12, 2010**:

Should Truman be permitted to aid Greek and Turkish governments against Communist insurgents?
 * Truman should be permitted to aid Greek and Turkish governments against Communist insurgents. If Greece fell under Communists control, then the rest of the Middle East would be endangered as well. According to Dean Acheson, if one country fell under Communism, then there would be a 'domino effect' such that further neighboring countries would be vulnerable to Communist control. By aiding Greek and Turkish governments, the United States is enforcing a policy of containment and protecting the free people of Greece and Turkey.

Will Truman's "Doctrine" become American foreign policy?
 * Truman's Doctrine should not become American foreign policy. If this doctrine became American foreign policy, then the United States is expected to aid all foreign nations at the expense of the nation's welfare. We think that the doctrine is justifiable to aid Greece and Turkey from the spread of communism, but we do not believe it should be the nation's foreign policy simply because it would require the United States to protect and become involved in all world's matter. We think it's important that the U.S. provide aids when necessary, but we think it's more important that the U.S. protect its own nation from communism as well as look out for the welfare of its own citizens.

What should our policy towards the Soviet Union be?
 * The Committee on Foreign Affairs has decided that the aim of our foreign policy with regards to Communism will be containment instead of liberation. By containing the spread of Communism, the U.S. is defending and promoting democracy. Since countries that are weak and unstable are vulnerable to Communism, the policy of containment would help protect these nations from falling under the control of the Soviets. It is important, however, that the U.S. only enforced the policy of containment to defend nations that are most vital to the interests of the U.S. The U.S. should not push for this policy in every nation that is under the threat of Communism because to do so would involve the U.S. in too many world problems and would put the U.S. at risk and under threat as well. Thus, it is important that the U.S. enforce the policy of containment in nations that have centers of military-industrial power.

Shall we join NATO and what form should our support take?
 * The Committee on Foreign Affairs had decided to join **NATO** for the safety of our country and for the safety of other countries. We will show full support in NATO to help make sure we are safe from Western powers. By joining NATO, we have a system of defense from ten European nations as well as Canada. Our support should be that if one of the NATO nations are invaded, then the U.S. is expected to provide necessary aid and support to respond to the attack. The committee believed that NATO would help contain the spread of Communism.

Who lost China?
 * The Committee on Foreign Affairs believed that Truman lost China. During the time that China fell under Communist control, the Truman administration was focused on a Europe-oriented foreign policy. Under Truman and his administration, U.S. Asian policy was not at the forefront. Although Truman sent General George Marshall to China in an attempt to negotiate a compromise, Marshall returned without an agreement because he believed the U.S. was capable of winning China. The Committee on Foreign Affairs believed that China was lost to Communism because the U.S. did not provide adequate and sufficient aid and assistance t o support the Nationalists.

Was MacArthur properly removed from command?
 * The Committee on Foreign Affairs has decided that MacArthur was not properly removed from command because he was doing right by his country in that he wanted to stop communists from slaughtering American soldiers fighting for our freedom. That is why he wanted to expand the war to China. MacArthur was simply looking out for the best interest of the United States. The U.S. did not want to fight China, but since they got involved and was also a Communist nation, then the U.S. should enforce its policy of containment on China as well.


 * 1947 National Security Act:** The Committee on Foreign Affairs voted for the passage of the National Security Act. We believe this act is provide more security to our nation as well as coordinate better foreign policy toward other nations.


 * Should Congress grant Truman a declaration of war in Korea if he should seek one?** The Committee believed that Congress should grant Truman a declaration on war in Korea if he should seek one. We believe that if Korea poses a threat to our national security, then we should not hold back. We should protect our nation against all threats.


 * __Congress Day 3__ - March 3, 2010:**

What was on the Committee's agenda in the 1960s?
 * __Development of the Peace Corps__: The Peace Corps was developed in 1961 under President Kennedy. The Peace Corps operates under three main goals although it is always adapting to the times and ever-changing world. The three originals goals were: to help the people of interested countries and areas in meeting their needs for trained workers; to help promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served; and to promote a better understanding of other peoples (nations).


 * __Foreign Assistance Act__ (1961): This act was passed by Congress on September 4, 1961. The act basically reorganized U.S. foreign assistance programs, which included separating military and non-military aid. The act also created an agency. Under President JFK, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) was developed on November 3, 1961. USAID was a U.S. foreign assistance organization that offer direct support to developing nations. Its goal was to provide long-range economic and social development assistance to nations around the world.


 * __Vietnam War__: Under President Kennedy, the U.S. involvement in Indochina escalated. Kennedy continued to enforced the policy of containment in Vietnam. In the 1960s, Kennedy has increased the number of military advisers in Vietnam with the effort to contain Communism and the invasion of North Vietnam troops into South Vietnam. Following Kennedy's death, President Johnson took over and under his command, there was an increase in the number of military advisers sent to South Vietnam. In addition, Johnson provided more economic aid to South Vietnam. It was under Johnson that the U.S. involvement in Vietnam escalated to a level that was not reversible.

The main proposals of the legislation were:
 * 1965 Voting Rights Act:**
 * Striking down voting restrictions in federal, state, and local elections
 * Establishing a simple uniform standards for voting
 * Citizens may be registered to vote by the U.S. government if state officials refused
 * Eliminating unnecessary lawsuits that delay a citizen the right to vote
 * Ensuring that properly registered voters are not prohibited from voting
 * Allowing both men and women to right to vote despite skin color
 * Extending the right to citizenship to every man and woman of the land

=

 * How would we vote on the articles to impeach President Nixon? ** As a group, we would pretty much agree on Articles 1, 2, and 3. We agree to vote on Article 1 because we felt that what Nixon and his administration did was an obstruction of justice. We believed that he lied to the American public and failed to remain loyal to the citizens of the United States. He denied his involvement in the Watergate scandal in an attempt to protect his position as President. He erased part of the tapes to try to cover up his involvement, but another person has spoken out to say that more was erased than she remembered editing. We believed that Article 1 fully describe the wrongdoings committed by Nixon during his presidency. We also voted on Article 2 because we believed that Nixon abused his executive powers as president. The fact that he refused to comply with the subpoenas issued showed that he was guilty of involvement with the scandal. In addition, he misused his powers to protect his reputation. He interfered with the Watergate investigations by refusing to give up the tapes. We believed this article was necessary for impeachment because it includes details of how Nixon abused his executive powers. We further voted for Article 3 because it related to part of Article 2 about Nixon refusing to hand over the tapes and information requested in order for the Watergate investigation to progress. By refusing the request, Nixon demonstrate that he was not able to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States because he interfered with the investigations and failed to comply and work with the investigations. ======

=
We as a group did not believe Article 4 was sufficient to impeach President Nixon from office. We also felt that Article 5 was insufficient except for the ‘conspiracy’ aspects of it. Thus, if another article was written, we believed and agreed with the Judiciary Committee that this article shall entail incidents of conspiracy committed by Nixon and his administrations. ======

I think that Nixon should not have been pardoned, what he did was deceiving, and wrong. Everybody should be held responsible for their actions, and that includes the President, especially because he is the one person you are supposed to trust. There was ample evidence that Nixon had everything to do with the Watergate scandal, and he shouldn't get to walk away with notion that he was "doing best for his country", because obviously he wasn't. --Erik Christensen
 * Nixon Pardon:

I think that Nixon should not have been pardoned for his part in the Watergate Scandal. There was plenty of evidence to convict him for his part in this cover up scandal. I believe that everybody involved should have actually been convicted for their parts in Watergate, but Nixon is the one person involved who should have actually been convicted because he was suppose to be the leader of the country and blew this countries trust by lying to them for his involvement. So I do believe that Nixon should have been prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. --Kevin Salines **

Nixon should not be pardoned for his role in the Watergate Scandal. Although he agreed to resign from the presidency, I do not believe it was a mutual agreement in that he willingly wanted to resign. I believed Nixon was guilty from the beginning. The fact that he denied his involvement, although there was sufficient evidence to prove that he was involved, showed that Nixon was not as loyal to the Constitution as he previously stated. Nixon continued to lead the nation on while simultaneously defending his innocence. I think Nixon should be indicted similar to how citizens of the United States would have if they broke the law. Just because he was president does not mean he has more privileges. His resignation was the only way to save himself from humiliation as well as being recorded in history as the one of the few presidents who got impeached. I think since Nixon failed to uphold his role as president, failed to defend the nation as he promised, failed to tell the truth and comply with the investigations, and failed to admit to his involvement, there are no strong reasons to pardon him. He was guilty from the beginning, but he lied to the American public. He defended himself as not being a 'crook,' yet he resigned before his term ended. I believed Nixon should be fully held responsible and accounted for his actions. --Thao Ngo


 * __Congress Day 5__** - **March 31, 2010:**

During the 1980s, the Committee on Foreign Affairs were concerned with for following issues:
 * __The Iraqi-Iranian War__: The United States was involved in this war because they feared that victory by either the Iraqi or Iranian would make them become the dominant power in the Persian Gulf. If either nations won the war, then the US was afraid that the flow of oil to the nation would be disrupted. So to prevent either side from winning, the US secretly aided the nation that was losing the war.


 * __Iran-Contra Scandal__: In this scandal, the US was selling the Iranians arms in exchange for the release of the American hostages that were captured in Lebanon mu Muslim terrorists. In addition, profits made from the Iranian arms sales were sent to Contra rebels that were fighting in Nicaragua, although the US government forbade military aid to rebel fighters. President Reagan denied that such scandal was going on.

Thao Ngo:
 * __Congress Day 6__** - **April 14, 2010:**
 * Bill 113.28: I voted against this bill because I don't see a logical reason to decriminalize cannabis. I think decriminalizing cannabis would result in more abuse by the younger population. Using cannabis for medicinal purposes has been proven effective. Cannabis in this case has a purpose. I don't see the other 'purposes' for decriminalizing cannabis overall. If cannabis use is beneficial, then perhaps research results should be made public. Otherwise, I think decriminalizing it would only result in abuse and people would only have another excuse to have possession of it.


 * Bill 113.04: I voted for this bill because I don't think it's possible for a person to multi-task as once, if there is such as a thing as multi-tasking. I feel that when a person is behind the wheel, it is there responsibility to put their full attention to the roads and the surrounding for their own safety as well as for others. When texting, the person would have to shift their attention between the phone and the wheel, and at times, this person may overlook something on the road. I do not think it's possible for a person to drive and text because both tasks requires attention.


 * Bill 113.02: I voted for this bill because I think there should be an alternative to elderly drivers. As people age, their ability to shift attention and focus decreases. In addition, their reaction to things may decrease as well. I think it's important for elderly drivers over the age of 65 to re-rest for their license. I also think any elderly drivers who have a disability that may interfere with their driving should let the RMV know so they can document it. This will help ensure that the elderly are capable of driving as they said. However, I think if the drivers fail their tests, then there should be programs to get them around if they have doctor appointments or need to shop for necessities.

Thao Ngo:
 * __Congress Day 7__** - **April 23, 2010:**
 * Bill 113.13: I voted against this bill because I think placing taxes on imported electronics would only bring more controversies to our nations. The reason people purchase from foreign countries is because it is cheaper. Despite the quality of the items, people should have the freedom to purchase form wherever they want. I don't think placing taxes on foreign purchases would benefit anyone in this country.


 * Bill 113.23: I abstain from this bill because I wasn't sure whether sharing music would benefit our citizens. I can see where the author of this bill is coming from, but I'm not sure if sharing music should be considered legal. Music artists make a lot of money just selling their CDs, but I don't think just because they make a lot already mean we should pass a bill to make sharing music legal. I also abstained from voting for this bill because I don't think it's practical to catch people making copies of artists' CDs. How would one know whether someone is profiting from someone else's work?


 * Bill 113.11: I voted against this bill because I think the biggest problem with it is the invasion of privacy. Everyone would like to travel in a much safer environment, but I don't think it's practical for people to go through whole body scans just to ensure that they're free of weapons. In addition, it appears to be too time-consuming and tedious to get people to go through all the securities mentioned in the bill. Likewise, there may be difficulties getting children and elderly to go through the procedure.


 * Bill 113.12: I voted against this bill because I think all proper measures have been taken to ensure railroad security. I am pretty sure that there are sufficient lighting next to railroad tracks. I believe that there is sufficient railroad security built in already and it is up to the citizens to maintain that security by taking safety precautions.


 * Bill 113.5: I voted against this bill because I think there is an existing state/federal law mandating highway safety. I am pretty confident that states have policies regarding snow and the safety precautions that drivers have to take. I do not think it's necessary to shut down the highway due to heavy snow. Some people have obligations to get to places so closing down the highway would only bring more problems and frustrations to people. Another thing I was against with this bill was the speed limit. People shouldn't be fine because they were over the limit by one mile. I think going over ten or more is sufficient to get a ticket, but one mile is too extreme.

Thao Ngo:
 * __Congress Day 8__** - **May 05, 2010:**
 * Bill 113.27: I abstain from this bill because as much as I would like to have more financial aid, I believe there should be a cut off. I don't think basing financial aid on how much a student contributes to the community is sufficient. Some students have to work to get through college so expecting them to contribute to their community seems a bit too much. Also, some students may not be book smart so their GPA is not that high. I don't think this should be a foundation to base the amount of aid a student can receive. I think keeping the decision of household income is better.


 * Bill 113.20: I voted for this bill because I think conservation is an important concept in our society. Most people are unaware of the threats they contribute to our society. I think by passing this bill, it will being more awareness to the people, allowing them to change the way they make decisions in order to protect our environment. To ensure global conservation, everyone has to play a role, and this would only be the case if a bill for it gets passed.


 * Bill 113.21: I voted against this bill. Although the concept of the bill is good, I don't think this bill takes into consideration that obesity has a genetic factor tied into it. I also think using the body mass index chart could make student feel dissatisfied with their body, which in the end, would only bring more problems. I also think it's difficult to incorporate physical activity and/or exercise into a student's schedule. Enough has been planned to get students to learn the curriculum so extending the time to include physical activity seems a bit too much.


 * Bill 113.15: I wrote this bill so I was obviously for it. Although after the debate, it made sense that this bill mirrored an existing bill. The reason why I wrote this bill was because I was a victim of past disasters, and I don't think sufficient assistance has been provided to assist those in needs. Being a victim, it gets very frustrating to see how slow the federal government is taking to ensure that adequate supplies and aid are provided to the people.


 * Bill 113.8: I abstained from this bill because although veterans have done a lot for our country, I don't think it's sufficient to offer assistance to veterans alone. The contents of the bill is good, but I think in this nation, we should focus on the majority and the nation as a whole rather than dividing up into veterans vs. non-veterans. I have a friend who is a veteran of the current war, and he gets health care from the VA hospital. Although there is no mental health facility alone, I think it's enough to have a facility alone for veterans. Within these facilities are various health departments so people can specialize in certain areas and still provide the veterans with the appropriate needs.


 * Bill 113.6: I voted against this bill. The Committee on Foreign Affairs had requested the author to revise the bill, but the author has not revised it. What the committee found inadequate about this bill was that the bill made it seem as if it was 'easy' to withdraw the troops within the requested time frame. In addition, the author does not appear to provide sufficient explanations as to why troops should be withdrawn other than comparing it to the Vietnam War. Also, the committee requested that the author include information as to how the chaos in Iraq would be handled in terms of freedom and government, yet nothing has been provided.


 * Bill 113.17: I abstained from this bill. Although it would be a good idea to implement the standards of the bill, I just think it takes a lot of money and time to switch the current conditions over to the proposed one. It doesn't seem like a logical decision to get NASA to fund this bill since NASA has its own operations and stuff to deal with. I think taking time and money away from NASA would take away their goals and missions.