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| November 26, 2004 |
| Frist Foreign Affairs Update |
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| This email is a bit longer than my usual. It focuses entirely on a foreign and security affairs update as we close out the session. |
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| The Senate has wrapped up most of its business for the year. It has been a busy and demanding Congress, but a very productive one capped off by our huge victories in the elections. |
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| Last week the Senate focused on passing an omnibus appropriations bill that included funding for several US international programs. |
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| The bill also funds important programs for our Nation’s veterans, maintaining a solemn bond that must never be broken -- especially when we are asking our Armed Forces to sacrifice so much for our freedom and safety. |
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| The Congress has not yet passed the Intelligence Reform Act despite working non-stop over the last few months. Most of this bill has been agreed to. It addresses the 9/11 Commission’s recommendations, including the establishment of a strong National Intelligence Director, the creation of a National Counter Terrorism Center, and initiatives that promote information sharing and cooperation in the executive branch. The bill also includes a measure I introduced: the establishment of a National Counter Proliferation Center to halt the spread of weapons of mass destruction. |
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| I hope we can pass this soon. |
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| Last Saturday we also passed a Senate Resolution that called for renewed efforts to bring peace to the Middle East. This measure endorsed the plan put forward by President Bush earlier this month, reaffirmed the importance of the Road Map, and called on the Palestinian people to elect leaders committed to freedom, peace, and democracy. |
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| I continue to urge the State Department to push for Sudan’s suspension from the U.N. Human Rights Commission given its ongoing genocide in Darfur. It makes no sense for a state that sponsors terrorism and is responsible for genocide to sit on this oversight body. The resolution I drafted to this effect passed two months ago by the Congress. |
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| Finally, I met with Prime Minister Tony Blair two weeks ago. We discussed how to advance peace in the Middle East, how to improve relations between the US and Europe, and how to bring hope and opportunity to the peoples of Africa. I look forward to working with him in the coming months on these issues. He will be running the G-8. |
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| The Senate will be back in session in mid January to begin the 109th Congress. Our agenda will begin with the State of the Union speech by the President, and Senate confirmation of the new cabinet. Our plans beyond that will be to help the President implement his agenda and to move forward on our own initiatives. |
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| I’m proud of the Senate’s accomplishments over the past couple years, and over the last several months in particular. We have accomplished a great deal that will have a profound effect on our Nation for years to come. I am particularly proud to have had the opportunity to serve as Majority Leader, and to be re-elected to the same position for the next Congress. It’s an honor and privilege to lead this remarkable body in these challenging and interesting times. I’m thankful to my colleagues and each of you for your continued support. |
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| Bill Frist |
| Reprinted from Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist's Email Update |
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