“Roskam is an original co-sponsor of House Resolution 1062, the Security and Victory of Iraq Act of 2007, which …calls for the president to report to Congress every 30 days.” – Pioneer Press, 8/2/07
Roskam visited Iraq during the summer of 2007 as part of a bipartisan fact-finding mission. During Peter’s time in Iraq, he had the opportunity to be debriefed by General David Petraeus on the impact of the surge.
In Congress, Roskam cosponsored H.R. 1062, the Security and Victory in Iraq Act of 2007. This bill requires the President to report to Congress on the extent to which the Government of Iraq is fully cooperating with U.S. efforts in Iraq and is making demonstrable progress toward achieving stability and security for the people of Iraq and denying terrorists a sanctuary in Iraq.
Afghanistan
“Roskam visited Afghanistan Jan. 18 to 22 as part of a bipartisan delegation along with representatives of the U.S. House Armed Services Committee. ‘I asked to go to Afghanistan,’ he said in a phone interview. ‘I wanted to see firsthand what was happening there…The Taliban has been aggressive recently. It's like a virus that has been dormant.”’- The Sun Newspaper, 2/1/08
Congressman Roskam traveled Afghanistan in January of this year where he visited with military commanders to discuss a plan to deploy an additional 3,200 Marines to the region. Roskam believes Afghanistan is the front line of the War on Terror.
Accountability
Throughout his service in Congress, Congressman Roskam has worked to ensure an appropriate balance has been put in place in addressing the needs of our troops abroad fighting in the War on Terror, while including accountability standards for those nations we are supporting.
Most recently, in May 2008, Roskam voted in favor of the FY08 Defense Authorization bill which requires the Administration to submit separate budget requests to clearly lay out requirements for the war in Afghanistan and Iraq, and calls on the Iraqis to step up their investments in reconstruction and security efforts, which are currently being shouldered by the U.S. military.
Emerging Threats
We must also not forget that there are other threats emerging which Congress needs to keep in focus. From the need to contain Iran and North Korea’s nuclear ambitions, the instability in Pakistan, to the expansionist movement of Russia, the United States must be vigilant - working with our allies and ensuring our Armed Services remains strong.
But the United States need not bear the burden or expense of “go it alone.” We have valuable allies and strong alliances to aid in combating threats to global peace and prosperity.
Next: Keeping our Families Safe, Securing our Homeland