16 Jan 2014

Branstad, Reynolds applaud Legislature for passing resolutions supporting RFS

By Office of the Governor of the State of Iowa

Resolutions pass following Gov. Branstad's call for swift, bipartisan action in support of renewable fuels

(DES MOINES) -  Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds today released statements applauding the Iowa Legislature for passing resolutions in support of a strong Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).  The Legislature's action comes two days after Gov. Branstad called for swift, bipartisan action in support of the RFS in his Condition of the State Address.

"I am pleased the Iowa Legislature has joined Lieutenant Governor Reynolds and me, and the entire Iowa Congressional Delegation, in support of a robust Renewable Fuels Standard," said Branstad. "I'm encouraged that the Legislature agrees that  this rule proposed by the EPA would be devastating to the agriculture and renewable fuel sector of the economy. Together, we'll keep fighting to protect the RFS."

Gov. Branstad, Lt. Gov. Reynolds, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey and the entire Iowa Congressional Delegation are hosting a hearing, "Hearing in the Heartland: Supporting the Renewable Fuels Standard," on the proposed EPA rule Thursday, January 23, 2014. More information on the hearing can be found on by visiting the governor's website.

"Iowans understand how important a strong Renewable Fuels Standard is to our state's economy," said Reynolds. "I applaud the Iowa Legislature for moving quickly and decisively in support of the RFS. It's clear Iowans are in favor of lower-cost choices at the pump, diversifying our nation's energy portfolio, reducing harmful transportation emissions, supporting the growth of the economy, and reducing our dependence on overseas oil."

Gov. Branstad called on the Legislature to act during his Condition of the State Address Tuesday, January 14, 2014:

My friends, Iowa faces another challenge where we can come together again and rally around what is best for our state.  The EPA has proposed reducing the level of biofuels outlined in the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS).

If this rule is adopted, it would be a devastating setback to the agriculture sector of the Iowa economy.

The proposed rule comes at a time when our state continues to implement new pioneering policies encouraging growth and innovation in the renewable energy sector.

In a partnership with Iowa State University, we launched the "Fueling Our Future" program last October, which will bring Iowa to the forefront in the use of E30 fuel.

This new program is a reflection of the importance of further advancing the renewable fuels industry, and how the RFS is helping to create important Iowa jobs.

The RFS has led to a cleaner environment, opened the markets for Iowa corn and soybeans and reduced our nation's dependence on foreign oil.  Thousands of Americans are coming together to support the RFS.

We will be holding a public hearing later this month to give Iowans the opportunity to voice their concerns with the EPA's proposal. Lt. Governor Reynolds and I are pleased the entire Iowa Congressional Delegation and Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey have agreed to co-host this important forum.

Today, I call on the General Assembly, as its first order of business, in bipartisan fashion, to pass a resolution in support of maintaining a robust Renewable Fuels Standard.

Read the full speech

The resolutions from the Iowa House and Iowa Senate can be found here:

Iowa House Resolution 101

Iowa Senate Resolution 101

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16 Jan 2014

3 Things Every Patient Should Know When Dealing with the Health-Care System

By Ginny Grimsley
Patient Advocate Warns Those New to Insurance Coverage:
Speak Up for Yourself

With millions of people newly covered by health insurance, and 11,000 more becoming eligible for Medicare every day, more people will be visiting doctors and hospitals.

And while that's a positive, patient advocate Ruth Fenner Barash warns that the U.S. health care system is not always the benevolent safety net many people believe it to be. It can be abusive, incompetent, callous toward patients - and worse.

"Patients and their loved ones cannot blindly turn themselves over to this massive, technology-based system and trust that it will care - or take care of them," says Barash, who shares lessons learned from extensive health-care experiences in a new book, "For Better or Worse: Lurching from Crisis to Crisis in America's Medical Morass," (http://forbetterorworsebook.com/).

Her cautionary tale traces the long medical journey her husband, Philip, endured with her as his advocate. She discovered mismanagement and excess, useless interventions and a sometimes complete disregard for pain - even when there was no hope of healing.

"I learned a great deal from our experience, and with so many people now gaining access to health care, I want others to benefit from what I've learned," she says. "You can navigate the system; you just have to know how."

Barash offers these suggestions for patients and their loved ones, whether it's a trip to the doctor for a checkup or a diagnosis of a catastrophic illness.

• Avoid the emergency room - for your own sake. Emergency rooms were developed with the idea that few people would use them - most people would see their physician. But as health care costs rose, they became a primary care facility for those without insurance or the money to pay for services out of pocket. "Patients and their families were not expected to spend a long time in the E.R. - presumably, they would be seen quickly and either admitted to the hospital or treated and released - so they're not designed for comfort," Barash says. "They've become very crowded, especially in cities, and patients might wait for hours sitting in hard plastic chairs in the waiting room. For someone who's sick or injured, this can be torture."
Sick people usually are not isolated, so waiting rooms also teem with germs, she notes.

• Be skeptical - question everything. Too often, we take the first thing we're told as gospel, Barash says. "If you have the luxury of time, take some of that time to think things through, to research and get second opinions," she says. Research your physician's connections. When you're referred to a specialist, ask why that particular person. If you live in an area with a large academic community, ask around about the physicians and health-care providers with the best reputations. Who has the most experience in a particular niche? Who's doing the most promising research? How many times have you performed this procedure and what is your success rate?

• Ask what it costs - no matter who's paying. Our health-care system is absurd in the number of useless consultations, diagnostic procedures and interventions it foists on patients, Barash says. Whether our hospital bills are fully covered by Medicare, Medicaid or private insurance, or we're paying a portion ourselves, we must all include cost in our discussions with health-care providers. "Part of the blame for having the most expensive health-care system in the world goes to us, the individuals, who don't question purchases or shop for prices as we would for groceries, clothing, or furniture," Barash says.  "If a test or consultation is ordered, understand why. Is it really necessary? You can say no!"

Finally, Barash says, we all must come to terms with the fact that death is a given.

"My husband's problem, and the problem many of us may be doomed to face, is the seemingly endless getting there - a dying we don't want."

About Ruth Fenner Barash

Ruth Fenner Barash studied philosophy at City College of New York and did graduate work at the University of Chicago. In 1958, she met and married Philip Barash, a private practice attorney. She went on to work in public relations and real estate, served education and civic organizations at the executive level, and taught art in various media. Her long marriage was a "harmonious adventure" despite the couple's treacherous journey through the health-care system. Her husband died in 2012.

16 Jan 2014

CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION

By Jackie E. Holecek

City of Davenport, Iowa

Saturday, January 18, 2014, 8:30 a.m.

City Council Chambers, City Hall, 226 West 4th Street

I. Goal Setting and General Fund Operating Budget Introduction

16 Jan 2014

DRURY UNIV. FALL DEAN'S LIST

By Mike Brothers
Drury Announces Fall 2013 Dean's List

SPRINGFIELD, Mo., January 15, 2014 - Earning a spot on Drury University's Dean's List is a significant accomplishment; it means a student earned a grade point average of 3.6 or greater (on a 4-point scale) while carrying a full-time course load of 12 or more semester hours at Drury. Drury University is ranked 8th among Midwest Regional Universities in the United States in the publication U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges 2014.

In the fall 2013 semester, Olivia Thompson of Moline made the Dean's list:

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16 Jan 2014

Lt. Gov. Simon leads discussion of key issues facing rural communities

By Ted Nelson

SPRINGFIELD - Lieutenant Governor Sheila Simon will discuss pending state and federal legislation that could improve education equity and local food access in rural Illinois Thursday at a meeting of the Governor's Rural Affairs Council (GRAC).

State Sen. Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill) will also discuss progress of the Education Funding Advisory Committee, which is examining the state's current education funding system and propose a system that provides adequate, equitable, transparent, and accountable distribution of funds to school districts that will prepare students for achievement and success after high school. Simon, who serves as the state's point person on education reform, testified before the committee this week regarding inequities that often hamper rural school districts in Illinois.

A representative of Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Ill.), a member of the 2013 Farm Bill Conference Committee, will provide a status report regarding negotiations of the federal farm bill, which includes funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Simon has signed on to two letters to Congress in recent months asking that SNAP and farmers market incentives be protected from devastating cuts.

DATE: Thursday, Jan. 16

TIME: 10 a.m.

LOCATION: Stratton Office Building, Room 413, Springfield

NOTE: Media availability following meeting.

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16 Jan 2014

Upper Iowa University Announces Fall 2013 Dean's List

By Monica Bayer Heaton

FAYETTE, IA (01/15/2014)(readMedia)-- Upper Iowa University names its 2013 Fall Dean's List. To be honored, the undergraduate must have earned a minimum 3.50 GPA for the semester and be enrolled as a full-time student.

Peter Mullarkey of Bettendorf, IA

Adam Chitwood of Davenport, IA

David Green of Bettendorf, IA

Elizabeth Guy of Le Claire, IA

Anna Kuhl of Andover, IA

William Stellmach of Davenport, IA

Gina Fox of Davenport, IA

Jessica Buntemeyer of Davenport, IA

Jillian Dossett of Eldridge, IA

Kiri Hamilton of Davenport, IA

Amandeep Kaur of Davenport, IA

Rocio Lopez of Bettendorf, IA

Ram Marme of DeWitt, IA

Allison O'Hara of Davenport, IA

Marissa Reese of Bettendorf, IA

Annulka Shipp of Bettendorf, IA

Amanda Shreve of Davenport, IA

Evan Trenkamp of Delmar, IA

Jeffrey Williams of De Witt, IA

Travis Zurcher of Moline, IL

Cheyenne Burnett of Rock Falls, IL

Paige Davis of Rock Falls, IL

Haylie Franklin of Muscatine, IA

Abbie Moellenbeck of Calamus, IA

Travis Willows of Davenport, IA

About Upper Iowa University Founded in 1857, Upper Iowa University is a private, not-for-profit university providing undergraduate and graduate degree programs and leadership development opportunities to more than 6,200 students-nationally and internationally-at its Fayette campus and learning centers worldwide. Upper Iowa University is a recognized innovator in offering accredited, quality programs through flexible, multiple delivery systems, including online and self-paced degree program. For more information, visit www.uiu.edu.

16 Jan 2014

CHAMPIONSHIP STAFF RETURNING TO RIVER BANDITS

By Marco LaNave
Omar Lopez set for second year as manager; Borkowski, Chimelis and Coleman return from 2013 field staff

DAVENPORT, Iowa (JAN. 15, 2014) - Manager Omar Lopez and three coaches from the Quad Cities River Bandits' run to the 2013 Midwest League Championship are returning to the team for the 2014 season. The River Bandits and Houston Astros, entering their second season of a new affiliation, announced the Class-A club's field staff on Monday.

Lopez will begin his second season with Quad Cities and seventh as a manager in the Astros organization when the River Bandits host Kane County on Opening Day at Modern Woodmen Park April 3. In 2013, the River Bandits won 81 regular season games - the third-most in franchise history - and Lopez, 37, reached his first playoffs as a minor league manager. Quad Cities went 7-1 in three postseason rounds to claim its second Midwest League Championship in three seasons and sixth title since the franchise joined the league in 1960. Lopez is the 34th manager for the Quad Cities Midwest League franchise and fifth to manage an Astros affiliate in the Quad Cities. He is the third Quad Cities manager to win a championship in his first season, joining Jim Napier of the 1979 Quad City Cubs and Don Long of the 1990 Quad City Angels. Prior to Lopez, only Fred Koenig, with the 1969 Quad City Angels, and Napier, with the 1980 Quad City Cubs, returned to the Midwest League club the season after leading the team to a championship.

Lopez has a career regular season record of 217-237 (.478) in his first six managerial seasons in the Astros organization. He managed the rookie-level Greeneville Astros in the Appalachian League in 2011 and 2012, the Gulf Coast League Astros in 2009 and 2010, and the Venezuelan Summer League Astros in 2008. Prior to managing, Lopez served as a hitting and infield instructor in the Astros Venezuelan program and as a scout for the organization from 1999 to 2007. He was the Astros International Man of the Year in 2005 and Player Development Man of the Year in 2010. A native of Valencia, Venezuela, Lopez was an infielder for three seasons in the minor league systems of the Chicago White Sox (1996-97) and Arizona Diamondbacks (1998). He played two seasons for the rookie-level Bristol White Sox and his final season with the South Bend Silver Hawks of the Midwest League.

Former major league pitcher Dave Borkowski returns for his second season as the River Bandits pitching coach and fifth as a coach in the Astros organization following 15 seasons (1995-2009) as a professional pitcher. Borkowski's first Quad Cities staff issued the fewest walks (394) in the league and posted a 3.62 team ERA that was fourth-best among 16 teams. Borkowski, 36, appeared in 181 Major League games (21 starts) and was 13-20 with one save and a 5.87 ERA in seven combined seasons with Detroit (1999-2001), Baltimore (2004), and Houston (2006-08). His first professional season was in 1995 after being selected in the 11th round of the June 1995 draft by Detroit, and he pitched in the Midwest League for the 1997 West Michigan Whitecaps. Borkowski coached the pitching staff of Class-A Lexington in the South Atlantic League in 2011 and 2012, and he was the pitching coach of rookie-level Greeneville in 2010.

Joel Chimelis returns for his second season as the Quad Cities hitting coach and ninth consecutive season as a hitting coach in the Astros organization. In 2013, Quad Cities was fourth in the league with 636 runs and third with a .338 team on-base percentage. The 2014 season will be the 11th overall as a minor league coach for Chimelis, 46, following a 14-season professional career. He has also coached in the Astros organization with short-season Class-A Tri-City (2006-10), Class-A Lexington (2011) and Double-A Corpus Christi (2012). Chimelis was on a championship-winning staff with Tri-City in 2010. He spent 2004 and 2005 with the Savannah Sand Gnats of the Washington Nationals (Montreal Expos in 2004) organization. As a player, Chimelis was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the 11th round of the 1988 Major League draft. He was a minor league infielder in the Athletics (1988-1991), San Francisco Giants (1991-1995) and New York Mets (1996) organizations. He was called up to the Giants major league roster in 1995 but did not appear in a game. Chimelis also played in Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Taiwan and Korea.

Former major league All-Star Vince Coleman is entering his second season with the River Bandits and Astros organization as a development specialist focused on outfield and baserunning. He will again be with the club for homestands and also be a scout and roving instructor within the Astros organization. Quad Cities led all Midwest League Western Division teams with 151 stolen bases as a team in 2013. Coleman, 52, played 13 seasons for the St. Louis Cardinals (1985-90), New York Mets (1991-93), Kansas City Royals (1994-95), Seattle Mariners (1995), Cincinnati Reds (1996) and Detroit Tigers (1997). He was the National League Rookie of the Year when he set a major league rookie record with 110 stolen bases in 1985 - the first of a major league-record three straight 100-steal seasons to start a career. In his first six seasons, he was a two-time All-Star, and led the National League in stolen bases every year from 1985 to 1990. In 1989, Coleman set the major league record when he stole 50 consecutive bases without being caught. His 752 career stolen bases rank sixth in Major League history.

Michael Rendon enters his first season as the River Bandits athletic trainer and fourth season overall with the Astros organization. Rendon worked with rookie-level Greeneville in 2011, and he was with short-season Class-A Tri-City in 2012 and 2013, when the ValleyCats won the New York-Penn League Championship. A 2010 graduate of Southern Illinois University, Rendon completed two internships with the athletic training staff for the Double-A Springfield Cardinals in the St. Louis organization and worked for the Southern Illinois University Clinical Experiences, assisting with the rehabilitation and treatment of injured student athletes.

James McNichol enters his first season as the River Bandits strength coach and second with the Astros organization. McNichol was with the Gulf Coast League affiliate in 2013. Prior to joining the Astros, McNichol worked at the National Basketball Academy in Orlando, Fla. He received his bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Central Florida, where he majored in applied exercise physiology.

In 2013, the Houston Astros had a franchise-record six minor league playoff clubs, becoming the first organization to have six domestic affiliates qualify for the playoffs in the same season since Pittsburgh in 2003. Each of the highest six affiliates - Triple-A Oklahoma City (Pacific Coast League), Double-A Corpus Christi (Texas League), Class-A Advanced Lancaster (California League), Quad Cities, short-season Class-A Tri-City (New York-Penn League), and rookie-level Greeneville (Appalachian League) - made the postseason. Quad Cities and Tri-City each won their respective league championships. The combined regular season winning percentage of all affiliates (.569, 476-360) ranked second out of 30 MLB organizations.

UP NEXT: Season-ticket holders can still guarantee their same seats for the upcoming season, but time is running short! Ticket-plan holders must renew their plans with a $50 deposit per seat by Jan. 31, in order to keep the same seats as last season. Contact your account representative or call 563-324-3000 today to renew your ticket plan. To order ticket plans - with new lower prices - for next season, call the River Bandits box office at 563-324-3000 or visit www.riverbandits.com to download the season ticket order form. Season ticket and mini-plan packages start at just seven games and begin at less than $40. Call a River Bandits account representative today to choose your seats and get the details of our various mini-plan packages.

ABOUT THE BANDITS: Having just been named Ballpark Digest's winner of Best Ballpark Improvement in America under $1 million, the River Bandits ownership is making one of the biggest improvements to Modern Woodmen Park since the ballpark was first built back in 1931! A new Ferris wheel, standing 112 feet over the playing field, is opening this spring, along with a carousel, a new ride called a "Drop and Twist," an expanded zip line, and many other new games and attractions. In 2013, the team unveiled a new 220-foot long dual zip line, a rock climbing wall, and a number of new bounce houses. The team's major league affiliate, the Houston Astros, just saw all six of its affiliates reach the playoffs - the first time in a decade any MLB team can claim such success. The River Bandits were one of three affiliates to reach the championship round and one of two to win their league championship.

*****

16 Jan 2014

Grassley: U.S. Military Academy Selects Four Iowa Students

By Grassley Press

WASHINGTON - Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa said today that Connor Gillette, Neil Harte, Seth Horsley and Peter Meyers have received appointments to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point for the 2014-2015 school year.

"Admission to the service academies is highly competitive and a great honor," Grassley said.  "Students work very hard to earn this kind of opportunity.  I wish Connor, Neil, Seth and Peter well and thank them for their commitment to serve our nation."

Gillette is the son of Katie and Graham Gillette of Des Moines.  He will graduate in May from Theodore Roosevelt High School.  Gillette participated in swimming, rugby, water polo, National Honor Society and Best Buddies.

Harte is the son of Lyudmila and Willis Harte of Iowa City.  He will graduate from City High School in Iowa City in May.  Harte participated in cross country, track and field, Model United Nations and National Honor Society.  He served as president of the Chinese Club, as well as staff writer and opinion editor for the student newspaper, Little Hawk. Harte also serves in the Iowa National Guard.

Horsley, of Carroll, is the son of Kristina and Duane Horsley.  He is a graduate of Carroll High School.  Horsley participated in football; swim team; chorus; show choir; the fall musical; Big Brothers and Big Sisters; student senate; National Honor Society; North Highland Weightlifting Club; and Family, Career and Community Leaders of America.

Meyers is the son of Laura and Joel Meyers of Reinbeck.  He will graduate from Gladbrook Reinbeck High School in May.  Meyers participated in football, weight training, basketball, track, soccer, student council, National Honor Society and church youth group.

Gillette, Harte, Horsley and Meyers were among the 55 Iowans Grassley nominated this year for appointments to the U.S. service academies.  Information about seeking nominations can be found on Grassley's website.

For more than 200 years, these academies have educated and trained individuals to lead and command the U.S. armed forces.

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16 Jan 2014

Loebsack Statement on House Passage of the Comprehensive Budget Package

By Joe Hand

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack released the following statement today after the House passed a comprehensive budget package for Fiscal Year 2014. The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2014 (HR 3547) will now head to the Senate for consideration.

"I am pleased that Congress has finally come to a bipartisan budget agreement. While I don't support every provision included in the bill, it marks a step back from the manufactured budget crises that have hurt our economy and a step toward both sides coming together and working towards compromise. This is something that is sorely needed in Washington.

"I am also encouraged that this legislation makes direct investments that are important for Iowa's economy. Moving forward, I hope Congress can come together to boost our economy, create good jobs for Iowa families, address the long-term fiscal problems facing our nation, and complete the critical work that has been kicked down the road for too long. We must now work to complete a long-term farm bill and extend unemployment insurance for Iowans seeking a job."

Key provisions included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2014, include :

·         Rock Island Arsenal: $150 million for Industrial Mobilization Capacity to be used by the three Army arsenals. These funds are meant to help arsenals keep their work rates competitive by reducing overhead costs for facility maintenance and upgrades.  Also directs the Army to provide enough work for the arsenals to keep them at efficient workload levels. These levels were determined by the Critical Manufacturing Capabilities and Capacity Study which was required by the FY13 NDAA.  These provisions build on the NDAA provisions that Loebsack authored to strengthen the Arsenal.

·         Wage Grade Employees: Provides wage grade employees with the same pay increase as the General Schedule workforce. Loebsack pushed for inclusion of this provision.

·         Meals on Wheels: $815 million, the same as FY13 enacted.  This allows for full restoration of Senior Nutrition Programs including Meals on Wheels.

·         Military Retirees COLA Change: A full repeal needs to take place but this is an important first step that repeals the reduction to COLAs for medically retired  military retirees and survivors.

·         Thomson Prison: Fully funds the account that provides for prison activations and construction. While it doesn't break out the funding to specifically allocate it for Thomson, the Administration's budget request included funding to begin activation of Thomson.  The full activation is expected to take two years and cost $25 million for upgrades and renovations as well as $170 million for equipment and staffing.  The President's budget request included $166 million to begin activation of Thomson plus two other prisons, acquire private contract beds, and expand a program to reduce recidivism rates.

·         Infrastructure: Takes important steps to invest in rebuilding our road and river infrastructure to create jobs and boost economic development for our local communities, state, and region.

15 Jan 2014

U.S. counternarcotics efforts in Afghanistan

By Grassley Press

Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control Hearing

"Future U.S. Counternarcotics Efforts in Afghanistan"

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Prepared Statement of Co-Chairman Chuck Grassley of Iowa

Madam Chairman, thank you for holding this hearing to follow-up on our two previous hearings about counter-narcotics programs in Afghanistan.  This discussion is especially timely because the drawdown of our troops this year will significantly impact these programs.  Today's hearing gives us the opportunity to hear from the Obama Administration about the future of these programs going forward.

 

Our efforts in this area are highly dependent on the security that our military provides.  Therefore, I've long been concerned that if our troops were withdrawn from Afghanistan too abruptly or without the proper planning, the United States could forfeit the progress it has made against the drug trade there.

 

Indeed, in July of 2010, Chairman Feinstein and I released a bipartisan Caucus report regarding the U.S. counter-narcotics strategy in Afghanistan.  In the report, we recommended that the key agencies involved in counter-narcotics "devise a comprehensive strategy for continued operational effectiveness after the departure of U.S. troops."

 

At the time of our hearing in 2011, the Obama Administration was already beginning to reduce the number of troops in Afghanistan.  I raised concerns then that we could lose our counter-narcotics successes in the rush to reduce our presence.

 

Indeed, we are already seeing some of our progress begin to erode.  For example, the United Nations recently reported that in 2013, poppy cultivation skyrocketed to 209,000 hectares, a 36 percent increase from 2012.  And the number of provinces considered poppy-free declined in both 2012 and 2013 after rising steadily for years.

 

Additionally, the Obama Administration's failure to finalize a Bilateral Security Agreement with the Afghan government is undoubtedly damaging our ability to plan future counter-narcotics efforts.  As we're seeing in Iraq, without such an agreement in place, the country may well descend into chaos.

 

We shouldn't forget why our troops are in Afghanistan in the first place.  Narcotics trafficking in Afghanistan helped fuel a mix of corruption, organized crime, and instability that helped lead to the rise of the Taliban.  And the Taliban then provided a safe haven from which al-Qaeda launched the September 11th attacks.  Counter-narcotics efforts in Afghanistan play a role in ensuring that terrorist organizations cannot use the country as a base from which to threaten the United States in the future.

 

As we reduce the number of troops in Afghanistan, we need to focus our efforts on continuing to build the capabilities of the Afghan military, police, and courts.  We also need to ensure that our law enforcement agencies, such as the DEA, will still be allowed to work alongside Afghan personnel to conduct operations and investigations.

 

We should also prioritize our efforts to combat the money laundering and terrorist financing associated with the proceeds of narcotics exported from Afghanistan.  In 2012, the estimated value of Afghan opiates before export was almost $2 billion.  These funds support both the insurgency against the Afghan government as well as criminal and terrorist activities directed at the United States.

 

It is critical that plans are in place to deal with how counter-narcotics efforts will continue absent the security provided by the U.S. military.   As the Drug Caucus recommended in our July 2010 report, I strongly encourage the Administration to provide Congress with a comprehensive, multi-agency, workable strategy to do so.

 

I look forward to hearing from the witnesses today regarding the status of the counter-narcotics plans of their individual agencies, as well as their concerns as we reduce our military footprint in Afghanistan.  I'm also interested in being updated about what's working and what's not working in our current efforts to combat drug trafficking in Afghanistan.

 

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