Vern Buchanan: Freeze Aid to Pakistan Unless They Show They Didn't Know bin Laden's Location

Florida Republican U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan came out swinging at Pakistan on Wednesday, calling for putting a hold on American taxpayer dollars going to aid that country until its government can prove they had no idea that Osama bin Laden was hiding in a compound in that nation.

While the death of bin Laden represents a historic victory in our fight against terrorism, it also raises serious concerns about Pakistans commitment and reliability as an ally in our fight against terrorism, said Buchanan, who has left the door open to running for the U.S. Senate in 2012. We should freeze all aid to Pakistan until we have assurances that the Pakistani government is not in the business of harboring terrorists.

Buchanan added that in the past 10 years Americans have forwarded $13 billion to Pakistan, and President Barack Obama wanted to send $3 billion more in the proposed FY 2012 budget.

Now, more than ever, we need to know where Pakistan stands in the fight against terrorism across the globe, said Buchanan.