Brown: Refocus our Resources on Winning the War on Terror

Brown: Refocus Our Resources on Winning the War on Terror

The war in Iraq has drained military's resources, capacity
 
CINCINNATI, OH -- U.S. Representative Sherrod Brown today said that the terror attacks thwarted in Great Britain highlight the immediate need for the United States to refocus its efforts in fighting the war on terror.
 
"The attempted attacks on the United States remind us that we should be thankful for allies like Great Britain.  British authorities saved countless lives and they deserve our gratitude," said Brown.  "Today's failed attacks underscore the need to refocus our resources on fighting the war on terror.  Iraq has diverted billions of dollars from our defense budget and drained our military's capacity.  Our success in the war on terror depends on having the available manpower and resources to hunt down terrorist networks around the world.  As we continue to follow the Republican's stay-the-course strategy in Iraq, Al Qaeda and Osama bin Laden remain on the loose."
 
The situation on the ground in Afghanistan has deteriorated, with insurgent attacks on the rise and the Taliban regaining strength.  Iran and Syria have bolstered their role in Iraq and across the Middle East, and they continue to funnel money to terrorist groups that threaten our troops and allies in the region.
 
"Winning the war on terror will also require securing our nation," added Brown.  "We must immediately implement and fully fund the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission.  We must secure our ports, our plants, our rail, and our airports to make our homeland security fail safe."
 
Mike DeWine and the Bush administration have failed to secure America.  Less than 10% of the cargo at our nation's ports is inspected.  Transit security has been underfunded.  The airport cargo explosive screening procedures recommended by the 9/11 Commission have not been implemented.  Three Ohio cities are considered to be at high risk for terrorist attacks, but DeWine did nothing as the Bush administration cut homeland security grants to the state by $37 million.