Kirk Questions Gates, Clinton, and Mullen on Afghanistan Policy

Press Release

Senator Paul G. Kirk, Jr. questioned witnesses at today's Senate Armed Services Committee Hearing on President Obama's Afghanistan policy. The witnesses from the Obama Administration were Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Michael G. Mullen. Senator Kirk's opening statement is below.

As prepared for delivery

Chairman Levin, I commend you for holding this timely and important hearing and for inviting our distinguished witnesses. The task at hand is a grave one, and I thank Secretary Gates, Secretary Clinton, and Chairman Mullen for being here today.

We have been at war in Afghanistan for eight years. 849 men and women in our Armed Forces have paid the ultimate price and over 4,500 more have been wounded. October was the deadliest month yet, with 59 troops killed, including 4 from Massachusetts. Today, 68,000 brave U.S. men and women are fighting there, the highest number so far in the eight-year conflict, and as of last night, we will be sending 30,000 more in the coming months.

All of us listened carefully to the President last evening, but I'm eager to hear more from each of you on what precisely the mission of these troops will be, how you see our path to success, the obstacles we will face along the way, and when and how that path will lead our troops home.

As one general said, we have been fighting the war there "for one year, eight times in a row" and some have said the war is a "quagmire."

I'm interested to hear how 30,000 more troops in Afghanistan will accomplish our goal.

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