We need leaders that, like Rick, refuse to back down from those who wish to destroy America and everything we represent. We need leaders that, like Rick, unconditionally support our sons and daughters in uniform -- from Pennsylvania and across the United States -- who risk their lives in defense of our great nation.

Rick Santorum understands that protecting Americans is among the most important responsibilities of any elected official. He is committed to strengthening our borders and keeping America's enemies from operating within our nation. He has fought to save Pennsylvania military bases that play a vital role in securing our homeland, and worked to strengthen and reform our intelligence community.

Rick Santorum has proven that he will confront the challenges of our generation head-on and do everything in his power to ensure the protection of our citizens.

Protecting Pennsylvania's Defense Assets
Pennsylvania's military base communities play a critical role in ensuring our national security, and Rick Santorum worked to present a strong case to the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) commission regarding the military value of each of our state's bases.

Rick Santorum fought to save Pennsylvania's military bases in the 2005 BRAC process, including the 911th Airlift Wing in Pittsburgh and the Army War College at Carlisle Barracks. He also played an instrumental role in bringing nearly 300 jobs to the Naval Defense Supply Depot on Robbins Avenue in Philadelphia, nearly 200 new jobs to the Letterkenny Army Deport and more than 150 jobs to Tobyhanna Army Depot.

Rick continues to work closely with Governor Ed Rendell and Senator Arlen Specter to protect Willow Grove Naval Air Station from losing its strategic mission. Together, they are filing suit against the Department of Defense for its decision to deactivate the base.

Supporting the Troops
Rick Santorum is an advocate for our Armed Forces and National Guard, believing it is vital that Congress provide our nation's military with the most up-to-date equipment and resources necessary, including higher pay and better benefits, to support the ongoing transformation of America's Armed Forces and our fight in the War on Islamic Fascism. Rick has consistently supported providing additional funding for our troops and has voted in favor of emergency supplemental funding for our military.

At a time when many of the men and women in our armed forces are deployed overseas, Rick is a cosponsor of the Supporting Our Patriotic Businesses Act of 2005, which would provide additional relief for small business owners ordered to active duty as members of reserve components of the Armed Forces.

Intelligence Reform
The September 11, 2001 attacks served as a stark wake-up call to our nation that our intelligence-gathering and intelligence-sharing capabilities needed reform. Following the attacks, Rick Santorum advocated for the creation of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The establishment of this new agency combined 22 different departments into one, increasing communication and coordination among the many parts of the federal government that function to protect our homeland.

In late 2004, Congress passed and the President signed into law, with Rick Santorum's strong support, the National Intelligence Reform Act of 2004. This comprehensive legislation contains many of the recommendations outlined by the 9/11 Commission, including the establishment of a National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) and creation of a Director of National Intelligence (DNI). The NCTC plays a critical role in our country's ability to effectively collect and analyze intelligence. This capability is allowing our intelligence community develop joint counterterrorism plans and work together effectively and efficiently to fight terrorism.

Former Ambassador to Iraq John Negreponte was nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate to serve as the DNI. The DNI manages the entire intelligence community and serves as the President's principal intelligence advisor. Rick Santorum believes this position is crucial to break down the barriers between the many entities within our nation's intelligence community.

Homeland Security
Rick Santorum understands that homeland security begins with our first responders. He supported over $600 million in the 2005 federal appropriations process for local fire departments across the country. Millions of those dollars have gone directly back to Pennsylvania fire departments in both urban and rural areas. These grants have allowed fire departments to purchase new firefighting vehicles, participate in training exercises and upgrade their facilities. These grants are making a difference in communities across Pennsylvania.

Port Security
When Senator Santorum learned of the acquisition of port services at six major eastern ports, including Philadelphia, by Dubai Ports (DP) World, he sent a letter to President Bush expressing his concerns regarding the transfer of the port management to Dubai. In his letter Senator Santorum requested that the Administration prevent the sale to DP World and the outsourcing of port functions and security.

As a result of pressure from members of Congress and other officials, DP World announced their decision to transfer the U.S. port terminals to a separate U.S. buyer. The Senator believes however, that we cannot neglect the vulnerability and security of our ports. Rick Santorum supports a thorough review of the activities and processes of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States to prevent similar situations from occurring in the future.

Iraq
Rick Santorum has long been skeptical of Saddam Hussein's Iraq and challenged this tyrannical government since his first term in the United States Senate. Senator Santorum, just like millions of Americans, recognized that Saddam Hussein's brutal regime posed a grave and gathering danger to the Middle East and the world.

In October 2002, Senator Santorum voted in favor of giving President Bush the authority to take military action against Iraq following years of Saddam Hussein's failure to comply with United Nations resolutions. At the time, Senator Santorum stated that, "It is important for the security of the United States to provide the President with the strongest position possible prior to U.N. Security Council debate on a new resolution. I believe that the President is acting in a way that promotes the best interest of the U.S. and democracy. The status quo with regard to Iraq is not acceptable. It is time that the world holds Saddam Hussein accountable for his intransigence." Democrats and Republicans alike shared these concerns based on the intelligence available at the time.

Following President Bush's announcement in March 2003 that military operations were underway, Senator Santorum expressed his support for the effort. Upon Saddam Hussein's capture in December 2003, Senator Santorum recognized the significance of that day. Iraqis would never have to live in fear again of Saddam Hussein's brutal regime.

Rick Santorum has been an outspoken advocate in the months after the fall of Baghdad voicing his support for the Iraqi people as they begin to rebuild their lives in a nation formerly filled with fear. In June of 2004, Senator Santorum met with several Iraqi businessmen who had their hands cut off during Saddam Hussein's brutal regime. Santorum stated, "These men are [here] today to share their personal experiences as a testament to the merciless and cruel treatment by the Hussein regime." This meeting strengthened Rick's commitment to bringing stability to this nation.

A Fresh Look
On January 5, 2006 Senator Santorum wrote to President Bush calling for a fresh look at the future of Iraq. The Senator supports a panel to objectively and critically analyze past and current U.S. activities in Iraq and make recommendations on how best to proceed in the future. Senator Santorum believes that the American people deserve to know through an unbiased source how to achieve success in Iraq and ensure the new Iraqi government is self-sustaining.

On March 15, 2006 Senator Santorum expressed support for President Bush’s announcement that he would cooperate with the United States Institute of Peace (USIP), an independent group, to conduct an independent and objective assessment of Iraq, and the impact it has on the United States. The Iraq Study Group is organized by the USIP, with support from the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), the Center for the Study of the Presidency (CSP), and the James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy at Rice University.

Certainly, Rick Santorum recognizes that there is still much to be done to stabilize Iraq following the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime. However, he strongly believes that the Bush Administration's decision to topple this brutal dictator was and continues to be the right plan for our nation's security.

Pre-War Iraqi Documents (Project HARMONY)
In an effort to continue to assess and learn about events leading up to Operation Iraqi Freedom, Senator Santorum introduced Project HARMONY (S.2408) a bill to require the Director of National Intelligence to release documents captured in Afghanistan or Iraq during Operation Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom, or Operation Iraqi Freedom. The legislation calls for these documents to be made available to the public via the Internet. Senator Santorum believes that by making these documents available to the public, Americans can gain a better understanding of the relationship between Saddam Hussein’s regime and Islamic terrorists.

Iran
Since being elected to the United States Senate, Rick Santorum has taken the issue of national security seriously. Various events leading up to and following September 11, 2001 have led the Senator to examine terrorist networks that exist in the Middle East and the countries that sponsor them. One country that has grown of particular interest and concern is Iran; recent actions by Iran’s government have shown that the country is becoming an increasing threat to the United States and our interests. Senator Santorum introduced legislation to advocate democracy in Iran. The Iran Freedom and Support Act (S.333) has earned bipartisan support in the Senate and seeks to restrict funding to a government that has provided a safe haven for groups like Lebanese Hizballah, HAMAS, and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad.

Rick Santorum supports controls and regulations against Iran that make it more difficult for the Iranian government to use foreign investments to support Islamic terrorism. Instead, Senator Santorum advocates funding for pro-democracy groups who oppose a totalitarian regime and support the advancement of democratic ideals and principles in Iran.