Legislative Update...

Lugar Urges Quick Passage of Reconstruction Reserve Corps Legislation

In February, Senator Lugar urged passage of post-conflict reconstruction and stabilization legislation, which he has been developing and promoting since 2003.  A legislative initiative introduced by Senators Lugar and Biden to improve U.S. capacity to undertake stabilization and reconstruction missions in war-torn countries is part of President Bush’s FY 2009 State Department budget request.

“In recent years, our government has cobbled together plans, people and projects to respond to post-conflict development in Somalia, Haiti, Bosnia, Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq.  The efforts of those engaged have been valiant, but these emergencies have been complex and time sensitive. Our ad hoc approach has been inadequate, slow and inefficient. Our lack of preparation for immediate stabilization contingencies has made our subsequent reconstruction efforts more difficult and expensive,” said Senator Lugar.

“We can and must do better engaging our civilian expertise in the world, to more quickly move to the next phase beyond the outstanding work of our military. If we move quickly on this legislation, we can still deploy more capable reconstruction corps in Iraq and Afghanistan in a meaningful and timely way.

“We must also prepare for unknown future conflicts. If we are to win the war on terrorism, we cannot allow states to crumble or remain incapable of governing. A delay in our response can mean the difference between crisis and stabilized success.”

In his FY 2009 State Department budget request, President Bush requested $248 million and 250 new civilian positions to create a Civilian Stabilization Program to assist in stabilizing post-conflict countries. The Lugar-Biden initiative, which passed during the last session of Congress, seeks to establish a corps of active duty and reserve civilian personnel capable of deploying rapidly to address post-conflict needs and humanitarian crises. The President’s FY 2009 budget request still requires Congressional approval.

For more information, read the press release.

U.S. Senate Endorses NATO Membership Action Plans for Georgia and Ukraine

On February 13, the U.S. Senate unanimously approved a resolution in favor of extending a NATO Membership Action Plan (MAP) to Georgia and Ukraine.  The resolution was introduced by Senators Lugar and Biden.

“NATO has a long track record of support for continued enlargement of NATO to democracies that are able and willing to meet the responsibilities of membership.  The leaders of Georgia and Ukraine have clearly stated their desire to join NATO and both have made remarkable progress towards meeting NATO standards,” said Senator Lugar. 

For more information, read the press release.

Lugar Addresses Global Environmental Concerns with Optimism

On February 27, Senator Lugar addressed the Garden Club of America about environmental issues facing the nation and the world. The Garden Club has been a consistent advocate for the Law of the Sea Treaty, and Senator Lugar stressed the importance of ratification. In general, Senator Lugar expressed his hopeful vision for a future of positive change in the environment.

“Although making environmental progress through public policy is often a frustrating enterprise, I believe the overall sweep of environmental history is not destined to move in negative directions.  Environmental setbacks can and do happen, but they are not inevitable.  The human spirit possesses remarkable abilities and energies that can be brought to bear on our conditions.  Sometimes we achieve technological breakthroughs only to be frustrated for years by political or social arguments over their application.  But rarely are environmental solutions and advancements out of reach if visionary people commit themselves to a determined effort to succeed,” said Senator Lugar.

“With this sense of optimism, I report to you today that we have opportunities to build bipartisan coalitions behind more robust environmental stewardship and innovation.  This is particularly true in debate on climate change, where individuals and groups representing increasingly divergent outlooks are becoming engaged in the campaign for an effective response.  Our scientific understanding of climate change has advanced significantly.  We have better computer models, more measurements and more evidence -- from the shrinking polar caps to expanding tropical disease zones for plants and humans -- that the problem is real and is exacerbated by man-made emissions of greenhouse gases.  An increasing number of major corporations are joining climate change coalitions out of concern for long-term economic stability, and a growing number of religious organizations are embracing anti-climate change activities as an element of moral stewardship of the earth for future generations.”

Read the full speech