More on Defense and National Security

Buerkle: “Green-On-Blue” Attacks Extremely Concerning

Earlier today, a man in an Afghan uniform shot and killed three American troops in the Sangin district of Helmand province. According to US military command, this marks the third attack on coalition forces by Afghan counterparts in a week. On Tuesday two gunman killed a US soldier in Pakita province and on Thursday two Afghan soldiers attacked NATO troops outside a military base in eastern Afghanistan.

Panetta says DoD and VA need to cut red tape

Buerkle Supports Transparency in Sequestration Process

This week, Congresswoman Buerkle voted in favor of legislation to increase transparency during the process of sequestration, which would cut almost 10% of America’s defense budget over the next ten years. Representative Buerkle released the following statement regarding passage of the Sequestration Transparency Act, which passed with overwhelming bipartisan support by a vote of 414-2.

Buerkle Statement on Afghanistan Attack

Yesterday, the Department of Defense announced Pfc. Jarrod Lallier, 20, of Spokane, Washington, was killed in action while serving in Afghanistan supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. He was killed when insurgents dressed in Afghan Police uniforms attacked his unit in the Kandahar province. Congresswoman Ann Marie Buerkle (NY-25), Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and United States Congressional Representative to the United Nations, released the following statement regarding the attack:

Rep. Buerkle Statement on NATO Service Members’ Deaths

Congresswoman Ann Marie Buerkle (NY-25), Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and United States Congressional Representative to the United Nations, released the following statement regarding today’s deadly attacks in northeast Afghanistan. “Earlier today, two American NATO service members were killed in northeast Afghanistan after rockets crashed into a U.S. base. The deaths of these service members are tragic. “As America’s role in Afghanistan continues to evolve, we must continue to ensure that we protect our troops while at the same time equip the Afghan Army with the tools and resources they need to provide security for their own country.

Buerkle: Landry Amendment Protects Americans’ Civil Liberties

Today, Representative Ann Marie Buerkle (NY-25) issued the following statement in support of the amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) offered by Representatives Jeff Landry (LA-03), Louie Gohmert (TX-01) and Scott Rigell (VA-02). “Since last year’s NDAA was passed, I have worked with my House colleagues and House leadership to address their concerns regarding the detainee language. The passage of the Landry/Gohmert/Rigell amendment guarantees civil liberties to United States citizens in the National Defense Authorization Act.

Buerkle: Amash Amendment Poses Threat to US

Representative Ann Marie Buerkle (NY-25) opposed an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act of 2013 offered by Representative Justin Amash (MI-03) to grant constitutional rights to foreign terrorists captured on U.S. soil. “The Amash amendment would have sacrificed our country’s national security in order to extend rights to foreign terrorists. Congress should be in the business of protecting the rights and security of American citizens, not foreign enemy combatants. “The Amash amendment would have sent a dangerous message to our foreign enemies that we are willing to award them the same constitutional rights that belong to American citizens.

Rep. Buerkle Statement on Recent Attacks in Afghanistan

Earlier today, an assailant wearing an Afghan Army uniform opened fire on American soldiers in eastern Afghanistan, killing one service member before escaping. According to NATO, today’s deadly shooting marked the 15th incident this year in which attackers wearing Afghan military uniforms have turned on their coalition counterparts, resulting in 20 NATO deaths. “The quickening pace of shootings on coalition soldiers by assailants wearing Afghan Army uniforms is cause for great concern. The killings are complicating NATO’s efforts to train Afghan soldiers and causing tension between Afghanistan and its Western allies.

TSA Wasting Taxpayer Dollars

The House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee (T&I) and Committee on Oversight and Government Reform (OGR), of which Representative Ann Marie Buerkle (NY-25) is a member, released a report that demonstrated the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is wasting hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars inefficiently deploying screening equipment and technology to commercial airports. “This report is evidence that TSA is a flawed agency and is wasting the taxpayers’ money. TSA has repeatedly failed to effectively procure and deploy screening equipment that actually detects threats.

Rep. Buerkle Inducted into Civil Air Patrol Congressional Squadron

U.S. Rep. Ann Marie Buerkle, (NY-25) was inducted into the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Congressional Squadron on March 16th and received a briefing on CAP's homeland security, search-and-rescue and disaster relief missions. As a Congressional member, Buerkle wears the honorary grade of lieutenant colonel and is authorized to fly in CAP aircraft and participate in CAP activities. "There is no higher priority for America than its national defense and security," said Buerkle. "Chartered by Congress, Civil Air Patrol is an essential element of that effort, providing homeland security, aerospace education and youth development programs. I'm honored to join their ranks and look forward to participating in CAP activities with my colleagues in the Congressional Squadron."