SENATE BILL: Access for Afghan Women Act of 2012 (Law'd)

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

I have some pretty firm concerns about this Bill...

I fully support the aims and the treatment of women and girls in Afghanistan is an issue of international importance.

However, we cannot dictate to them how they run their country. I think this is a strongly aspirational Bill, which does risk overreaching, and therefore undermining its intended purpose.

I think a simpler line of " we are doing x, if you don't meet standards y then you will meet with these consequences z" would do something without that risk...

We need to use leverage, but we cannot dictate, it's a balancing act for sure, but we do need to be realistic.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

Amendment has passed.


Is there anyway the bill could be amended to your satisfaction, Mr. President? Or is a unsalvageable?

I'm not sure, if the Sponsor or other Senators wanted to discuss this with me, maybe we could reach a compromise.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

Signing statement:

I consider this Bill 'aspirational' - otherwise I would consider it a practical overreach of our role.