McCaskill to try again to limit Afghan road money

Friday, February 24, 2012

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri Sen. Claire McCaskill says she will try to amend a transportation bill to strip funding for large construction projects in Afghanistan and use that money instead for roads and bridges in the U.S.

McCaskill hopes to attach her proposal to legislation re-authorizing the federal highway funding program.

The Democratic senator’s amendment would prohibit financing of Afghanistan infrastructure projects of more than $50,000 under two initiatives — the Commanders’ Emergency Response Program and the Afghanistan Infrastructure Fund. It also would redirect the remaining money in those programs to road and bridge projects in the U.S.

McCaskill had proposed late last year to add the provision to defense legislation, but she was unsuccessful in doing so.

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muleman 1 year, 3 months ago

Can someone explain to me why in the same hill the USA would be building highways in afghanistan? Are our elected officials recieving campaign contributions from third world countries these days? Some day the politicians in this country might get around to doing whats needed here at home instead of taking care of the rest of the worlds problems at our expense

lovemykids 1 year, 3 months ago

I'm not certain about Afghanistan, but my husband did spend 15 months in Iraq as an engineer. I can tell you about the stuff he helped to build there. They were building roads, bridges, and bases for our troops to use. They installed sewer systems because they didn't want our troops to live in poo. They rebuilt one bridge in particular several times because it was part of the connection between the bases. Yes it is true that all of those improvements will help them in the future, but it was about helping our guys at the time. It is kind of sad to think that our guys can go into ANY place and make it a livable, viable, safe area and yet our border is wide open and anyone can stroll right on in. I think we should stop trying to solve the problems of the world and start fixing the problems at our own doorsteps, but that is just my opinion.

wyriontair 1 year, 3 months ago

Thank you and your husband for your service, and yes, I include family as in the service too. You're so right that we should stop the influx of people coming across our borders, yet we don't have anyone in congress or the White House that will stop them.

lovemykids 1 year, 3 months ago

No thanks necessary, but very much appreciated. :)

wyriontair 1 year, 3 months ago

Why isn't she trying to get all the millions we the taxpayers have put into "green energy" and the auto industry,fannie and freddie, and put it towards roads and bridges? I believe it was a noble thing to try to help Afghan's improve their lives, however, most of the people there don't appreciate anything that is done to help them, and prefer to live in the 4th century. She has helped with legislation that has increased our debt by nearly $5TRILLION dollars. Vote her out!!!

lovemykids 1 year, 3 months ago

I think McCaskill is trying to seem middle of the road now that elections are coming up. She can not say honestly that she has stood up to government intrusion, so instead she pulls this rabbit out of her hat. She has always been good at pulling the "rebuild infrastructure in Mo" card. She knows that speaking of money for our roads and bridges will get her some votes. The real question is, how many people will fall for it?

JCLifer 1 year, 3 months ago

They fell for it for years when ol' Ike and Kit kept the federal money flowing into Missouri...

linoge 1 year, 3 months ago

Here we have a Democrat who catches all kind of flak for being a "liberal" while trying to limit overseas spending. Meanwhile, our Republican Senator Mike Kehoe wants to turn I-70 into a toll road because we supposedly lack the money to rebuild and maintain it through conventional funding. Recent articles really highlight the difference between the two political parties.

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