National Security
A STRONG NATIONAL DEFENSE He’s also helped to introduce the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program Act of 2007. Based on the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon program created by the Minnesota National Guard, this critical legislation will establish resources for soldiers and military family members to draw on throughout every phase of their deployment. It would make available counseling services, financial advising, educational opportunities, improved healthcare, and serve as an important support structure for our brave servicemen and women and their families. Senator Coleman also supports a strong defense budget that funds the training and technological advancement that gives the American military an important advantage over America’s enemies. To address the contemporary military challenges that America faces it is vital that our military continue to evolve into a mobile and adaptive fighting force. capable of responding to new and emerging threats.
Senator Coleman is committed to guarding America’s security through a strong defense. That means giving our servicemen and women the funding, equipment, and tools necessary for them to succeed. There is no business more important in the Senate than making sure that the members of our military have the support they need and deserve.
Our military, including the National Guard and Reserve are being called on to serve in record numbers, and Senator Coleman recognizes how crucial every advantage can be to their future success. That’s why he’s fought to give serving reservists healthcare and other benefits, and worked on initiatives to give advance notice of deployments, and make up for lost income.
Senator Coleman firmly believes that American servicemen and women are doing everything their country has asked of them to defend America’s security and the ideals our nation was founded upon. They’ve done great things in Iraq, but it is increasingly evident that the Iraqis must assume responsibility for military security, and make progress towards political and diplomatic unification.
In April the Senator returned from his third trip to Iraq. While he was there he talked with Minnesota soldiers, and met with U.S. military commanders and Iraqi leaders. From those meetings, it became clear that the Iraqis are aware that U.S. support depends on their ability to assume responsibility for security throughout their country, and on moving towards a political reconciliation and the end of sectarian violence.