Congressman Poe Hails Passage Of Defense Funding Bill Including Language To Combat The Haqqani Network

Yesterday, the House passed the FY2014 national defense funding bill, which included a provision that I have advocated for to require the Administration to increase its efforts to combat the Haqqani network, a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO).

Under this Administration, the Haqqani network has been able to operate freely. After months of inaction, Congress finally forced the State Department to designate them as a foreign terrorist organization in September of 2012. Since then, the Haqqani network has been an FTO in name only. The Administration has failed to seize the network’s finances, impede the travel of its operatives, or pressure Gulf countries to crack down on fundraising and recruitment. As a result, I believe the Haqqani network is stronger and more deadly than ever. It is time to go after these killers.