The United States' relationship with India and Pakistan is of paramount importance to our nation's political and economic future. With the receding of the Cold War's global divisions and the new realities of globalization and trans-national terrorism, we have embarked on a new era of promise, possibility and uncertainty. This means the United States, the world's only superpower, bears an especially heavy responsibility to remain engaged in all regions of the world, with all nation-states. It is in the national interest for the United States to continue our policy of engagement, collaboration, and exchange which has served the nation well in the past, particularly in the South Asia region.

The President today signed the US-India Nuclear Pact. My bipartisan amendment accepted to this legislation simply stated that the 'South Asia region is so important that the United States should continue its policy of engagement, collaboration, and exchanges with and between India and Pakistan.'

Peaceful nuclear cooperation with India can serve multiple U.S. foreign policy objectives so long as it is undertaken in a manner that minimizes potential risks to the nonproliferation regime. This will be best achieved by sustained and active engagement and cooperation between the India and the United States. Read more...

I congratulate Secretary Gates on his official assumption of office. I look forward to working with him to meet the needs of our military today and preparing for the challenges that lie ahead. One of those challenges will be Iraq. What we do to solve that situation is one of the most pressing questions facing the new Secretary.

The recent speculation in the press regarding an increase of 20,000 to 30,000 or even 50,000 troops in Iraq has left me with many concerns. Everything I've heard and everything I know to be true lead me to believe that this increase at best won't change a thing, and at worst could exacerbate the situation even further. I am also extremely concerned about the additional burden that would be placed on the Army and Marine Corps.

The Iraqis need to understand that responsibility for the future of that country is theirs. Beginning the redeployment of some number of American forces would send that message. I urge the President to carefully consider this option to help move the political situation in Iraq forward.

However, I will withhold judgment until Secretary Gates and General Pace come over and fully explain the rationale behind any decision that is ultimately made. I expect to be shown that any decision on future troop levels is based on a realistic assessment of the situation on the ground and sound strategy, not political assumptions and wishful thinking. Whether they come to make the case for an increase, or to maintain the current troop level, or even some other option, they must be able to demonstrate a compelling need for each and every person deployed to Iraq.

I'm happy to report that we at the House Committee on Government Reform have made some progress on efforts to recover royalty revenue from flawed federal leases for deepwater drilling in the Gulf of Mexico in the late-1990s.

As you may know, back then, in an effort to get oil companies to explore in deepwater portions of the Gulf - which is more expensive than other offshore operations - the Interior Department established royalty relief for deepwater leases. It waived royalties for a certain volume of oil and natural gas that was produced unless the price of oil or natural gas climbed above “price thresholds. Read more...

With the baby boomers’ retirement fast approaching, these past several years would have been a good time for federal policymakers to put the government’s fiscal house in order by reducing the national debt.  Instead, they expanded it.
At the end of fiscal year 2006, the national debt stood at roughly $4.8 trillion.  The Congressional Budget Office estimates that $2.3 trillion, or nearly half of the debt, was the result of tax cuts and spending increases approved by Congress and the Administration since January 2001.

Sad to say, but the nation would be in much better shape today if Congress had left the budget on automatic pilot for the past six years.

Where did that $2.3 trillion go?  A bit over half of it went to tax cuts, and another third went to increased spending for defense, homeland security, and international affairs (primarily the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan), according to CBO data.  Only 6 percent of the $2.3 trillion represents increases in domestic discretionary programs, the part of the budget some have mistakenly claimed is “exploding.

Today, I attended the official bill signing of the U.S./India nuclear deal.  This is truly an historic day for U.S./India relations, and I congratulate the Indian-American community for its dedication to building support for this landmark law.

The most significant comments at today's bill signing came from President Bush when he stated that India is a friend.  I believe this deal best demonstrates this strong bond of friendship that exists between our two nations, one that will only grow stronger in the years to come.

The United States has an important strategic partnership with India, and this civilian nuclear cooperation deal is a critical component to a continued, successful partnership.  The agreement strengthens energy security for the US and India and promotes the development of stable and efficient energy markets in India to ensure adequate and affordable supplies.

This deal is also the foundation of a promising US-India alliance that will serve as a defense against terrorism and nuclear proliferation.  The US has an important stake in ensuring regional stability in South Asia, even as Pakistan continues to produce and test nuclear weapons without proper safeguards.  With the rising power of Communist China in the region and Osama bin Laden continuing to hide in Afghanistan or Pakistan, we need India as our strategic ally, and this deal today furthers that goal.

I wholeheartedly welcome the recent news that the Department of Homeland Security will begin requiring freight railroads and chemical makers to cooperate with the government in formulating rail security strategies.  Time and again terrorists have attacked rail lines around the world and it is up to the federal government to take the lead in making certain that hazardous rail cargo is secure.  It is also critical that in the 110th Congress, we act immediately to pass my comprehensive rail security legislation, which includes increased funding for security technology and police officers on both freight and passenger rail lines.

All Americans are united in our admiration and concern for the soldiers, sailors, and Marines serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. During the holidays, as we cherish time spent with family and friends, we are also aware that many of the brave men and women who are fighting for us will be spending this time of year far from home. There are some practical, personal, and meaningful ways, however, in which you can reach out and say thank you to our soldiers this holiday season.

Not surprisingly, the USO is leading the way in allowing Americans back home to send personal letters, e-mails, and "care packages" to soldiers who used to be strangers by organizing Operation USO Care Package.  This program has delivered a "touch of home" to more than one million service members since 2001. Citizens can sponsor a care package for $25 with a personal message of support and thanks to a service member. For more information, go to www.operationusocarepackage.org. The Department of Defense offers a similar service through an official group called America Supports You (http://www.americasupportsyou.mil).  Care packages can include practical things like microwave popcorn, books, or phone cards. But, in the end, it is the thought that counts most.

By all accounts, the troops appreciate knowing how thankful individuals are for their service abroad. And they are also grateful for the personal touch. As one soldier wrote, "Thank you for the many wonderful things you have sent me. Please let the person responsible for crocheting the hat know that it is a big hit with all the guys. I hope you don't mind but I shared the package with all the guys in my unit. It really helps us over here knowing there is someone back home thinking and worrying about all of us over here."

This year, I urge you to contact the USO or any of the other grassroots organizations dedicated to matching up people with troops in the field. I can't imagine a gift that would be more appreciated this holiday season. Each of us can make a difference in the lives of America's soldiers.

Hypocrisy reigns in the legislative process. The 110th Congress has yet to begin, but Democrats are putting in place plans to deny Republicans the opportunity to fully participate in the legislative process. Their claims of having the “most open and honest government in history

Congresswoman Pelosi and the vast majority of Democrats voted against nearly every piece of critical anti-terrorism legislation that Republicans brought before Congress in the last four years. They voted against border security, tracking terrorist finances, listening to terrorist communications, and against effectively and aggressively interrogating terrorists in custody.

Terrorists are significantly emboldened now that Democrats have a majority in Congress. Unless Democrats reverse their policies 180 degrees, this country is in grave danger of again falling prey to violent attacks of terrorists in the near future. Ultimately, if Congresswoman Pelosi's and many of her Democrat colleagues' present policies remain unchanged, I sincerely believe that America could face nuclear jihad in this generation. It is that serious. The stunning reality is that they either do not understand the nature and gravity of this threat or they lack the will to face and defeat it.