Washington - As part of the Department of Defense funding authorization bill that gained final passage in Congress today, U.S. Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Bob Corker (R-TN) established new requirements related to military assistance to Pakistan. The Menendez-Corker legislative language would mandate a determination by the U.S. Secretary of Defense, along with the Secretary of State, before Pakistan is reimbursed with Coalition Support Funds, that the payment is both in the national security interests of the U.S., and will not affect the balance of power in the region.

"We can't lose sight of the very reason Pakistan receives these funds: they are a reimbursement for expenses incurred fighting terrorists and supporting U.S.-led efforts to do the same," said Menendez. "That fight is important to our own national security, and we have to ensure that our support for it is not being squandered or diverted. It is not only right for us to ensure that American taxpayer money does what it is intended to do, it is our duty as stewards of the national security and of taxpayer money."

"The Pakistanis should be commended for working to eliminate the terrorist safe havens within their own borders and for their role in the broader war on violent extremism," said Corker. "This provision simply ensures that the American peoples' tax dollars are being used for their intended purpose."

To this point, the U.S. has sent approximately $7.6 Billion in Coalition Support Funds to Pakistan since 2001.

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