Senate bill requires State Dept. ruling on whether Haqqani network is terrorist organization

The Senate ended a productive week by passing several unanimous-consent agreements on resolutions and bills, one of which asks the secretary of State to determine if the Haqqani network is a terrorist organization.

The House passed a similar measure last week, so the request goes straight to Hillary Rodham Clinton. The Haqqani Network Terrorist Designation Act requires her to report to Congress on whether the Haqqani network — an Afghan insurgent group based in the tribal areas of northwest Pakistan — meets the criteria for designation as a foreign terrorist organization.

Introduced by Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.), S. 1959 made a point not to further harm relations with Pakistan, stating that “nothing in this Act may be construed to infringe upon the sovereignty of Pakistan to combat militant or terrorist groups operating inside its boundaries.”

U.S.-Pakistani relations have been sensitive since U.S. Special Forces killed Osama bin Laden in Pakistan without that country's aid.

Another measure agreed to Thursday evening was H.Con.Res. 134, which condemned the movie theater shootings in Aurora, Colo., last Friday. The House passed the resolution earlier Thursday. It was introduced by the entire Colorado delegation. Twelve people were killed last Friday, and 58 more were wounded, when a gunman targeted a movie theater premiering the latest Batman installment.

The Senate adopted resolution 532, which expresses the Senate’s support for the International AIDS Conference. Introduced by Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), the resolution said the Senate is committed to HIV/AIDS research, prevention and treatment programs.

On a lighter note, S. Res. 531 commemorated the success of past U.S. Olympic Teams and wished Team USA good luck in the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The opening ceremony is Friday.

Several Air Force, Army and Navy nominations were also passed.

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