Keeping America Safe and Free

Providing for the common defense is one of the federal government’s primary constitutional obligations.  Both the President and Congress have significant responsibilities in this area to set the policies that keep our country safe.

Broadly, we must evaluate our most pressing national security goals and put forth the appropriate resources necessary to achieve those objectives.   And where we commit resources, especially with regard to putting our men and women in harm’s way, we must have a clear national security interest, a well-articulated purpose, an understanding of the potential costs involved, and a responsible plan for success.  

The United States maintains strong economic and national security partnerships with its allies around the world.  From free trade pacts, to defense agreements, to our membership in organizations like NATO, the United States is the key actor on the world’s stage.  As such, we have a responsibility to promote the democratic values of individual liberty, popular sovereignty, the peaceful transfer of power, and the rule of law.

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America owes its veterans and their families an enormous debt of gratitude for putting themselves at risk to protect our rights and freedoms.  Some have made the ultimate sacrifice to safeguard our lives, and for that, Americans will be forever grateful. 

It is one of the highest priorities of the federal government to provide for the common defense of our country, which includes providing robust care for our veterans and their families.  This starts with ensuring that preparations for any military action, regardless of size, includes consideration for the current and future needs of the service-members who will participate in those missions.

In recent years, the Department of Veterans Affairs has been rightfully criticized for failing to meet the most basic standards that Americans expect for veterans.  Senator Lee has worked to ensure that the VA is made accountable and able to exceed expectations in providing the benefits and care promised to veterans and their families. He has also sought to encourage the use of technological advances and new ideas to better provide services and resolve long-standing problems in the bureaucracy.   This will ultimately give veterans more options for service and more control over their choices, while continuing to provide the military branches with the recruitment and retention tools they need to keep our forces in a high state of readiness. 

Senator Lee has supported:

The Increasing Accountability for Veterans Act

The Department of Veterans Affairs Management Accountability Act 

Ensuring Veteran Safety Through Accountability Act of 2015 

Veterans’ Access to Care through Choice, Accountability, and Transparency Act of 2014

After rightfully and successfully intervening in Afghanistan to remove the Taliban government and destroy al-Quaeda, our original goals have largely been achieved.  The men and women who have served during the conflict have done a fantastic job and served honorably.  They should be commended for their achievements. 

Given this progress, it is the right time to initiate a sizeable and sustained reduction in forces.  Afghanistan remains a priority for our national security as we transition from a counterinsurgency strategy to a counterterrorism strategy.  Responsibility over local and regional conflicts should be transferred over to the Afghan government while we concentrate our efforts on ensuring Afghanistan does not again become a haven for terrorist organizations.