Afghanistan: The Pace of Withdrawals Accelerates; House Letter Supporting That Action
Feb 16, 2012
On February 1, Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta announced that the United States will end its combat missions in Afghanistan by “mid- to the latter part of 2013.”
This announcement – whether intended by the Obama Administration at this time is not clear – marks a welcome and accelerated withdrawal timetable. Previously, combat operations were supposed to end in 2014.
The New York Times called the pronouncement “a major milestone toward ending a decade of war in Afghanistan.”
The sooner American military forces exit from Afghanistan – after spending so many lives and treasure – the better.
This step was pressed for in amendments offered last year in the Senate by Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and in the House by Jim McGovern (D-MA) and Walter Jones (R-NC).
Lee-Jones letter on troops in Iraq
Jul 25, 2011
Reps. Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Walter Jones (R-NC) are asking their colleagues to sign a letter to the President urging all troops to leave by the end of the year.
They write, “Leaving troops and military contractors in Iraq beyond the deadline is not in our nation’s security interests, it is not in our nation’s strategic interests, and it is not in our nation’s economic interests.”
The full letter follows:
KEEP TO THE CURRENT DEADLINE
Bring all U.S. Troops and Military Contractors in Iraq Home by Dec. 31, 2011!
Final vote on McGovern (D-MA)-Jones (R-NC) amendment on Afghanistan
May 30, 2011
Vote on McGovern (MA), Jones (NC), Loretta Sanchez (CA), Amash (MI), Lewis (GA), Paul (TX), Cicilline (RI), Welch VT) amendment requiring a plan and a timeframe for an accelerated transition of military operations from U.S. to Afghan authorities, and other provisions. Defeated 204-215 (26 Republicans voting aye, 8 Democrats voting no)
Democrats: 178 aye, 8 no
Republicans: 26 aye, 207 no
12 not voting
http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2011/roll373.xml
---- YES 204 ---
Ackerman
Amash
Andrews
Baca
Baldwin
Bartlett
Bass (CA)
Bass (NH)
Becerra
Berkley
Berman
Bishop (GA)
Bishop (NY)
Blumenauer
Boswell
Brady (PA)
Braley (IA)
Brown (FL)
Butterfield
Campbell
Capps
Capuano