[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 72 (Friday, May 18, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E877]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          PERSONAL EXPLANATION

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ROBERT T. SCHILLING

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 18, 2012

  Mr. SCHILLING. Mr. Speaker, on Thursday, May 17, 2012, during a rapid 
succession of two-minute votes, I was unable to cast my vote for Roll 
Number 265.
  Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on the Connolly 
Amendment No. 6 to H.R. 4310, which passed, by an overwhelming 
bipartisan vote of 412 1. I believe that our allies should keep their 
commitments, and Pakistan is no different.
  Pakistan has been allowing terrorists to hide out within their 
borders and has not been meeting the certifications put in place by 
U.S. aid agreements to receive funds through the Department of Defense. 
In fact, Pakistan has not received Department of Defense funding since 
June 2010. This continued disregard for our mutual agreements is 
disconcerting and the U.S. needs to show Pakistan that we do not take 
our commitments lightly.
  The Connolly Amendment ensures that Pakistan will follow through with 
its commitments and will force them to reconsider closing their 
borders. We must encourage them to maintain open Ground Lines of 
Communication and allow the transportation of NATO supplies.
  Again, had I not been delayed, I would have voted in support of 
Connolly Amendment No. 6 to H.R. 4310.