MOUNT VERNON — In town Tuesday primarily to discuss health care, Congressman Zack Space touched briefly on a couple of other topics as well.

Space, who will soon be traveling to Afghanistan and Pakistan to meet with military officials, said he appreciated the renewed focus President Obama has brought on Afghanistan. He added that legislators need to put pressure on Pakistani officials to discourage them from allowing al-Qaida terrorists to operate in their country.

Space also said he supported the extension of the “Cash for Clunkers” program as a short-term stimulus, and was pleased with the recently passed House Energy Bill. He described the energy bill as the first modern effort to make progress on energy issues, including a plan for weaning America off foreign oil. He said much of what was identified last year by his Renew Ohio 18 task force as ideal focal points for the future of the district are the same things being targeted by the energy bill for the whole nation.

He added that since telecommunications was the basis of all economic development, he has been working with President Obama, 34 southeastern Ohio counties, and area colleges and hospitals on applying for a significant National Telecommunications and Information Administration grant to expand broadband capabilities throughout southeast Ohio.