Afghanistan War Powers Resolution

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Mr. FORTENBERRY. I thank the gentlewoman from Florida for her leadership on Foreign Affairs and for the time.

Madam Speaker, the situation in Afghanistan is complex, and it has been difficult. And it has serious ramifications for regional and global stability. Congress understood this in the aftermath of September 11 and authorized the use of force in Afghanistan. The situation is no less serious today.

We would all like to see our troops come home as quickly as possible, leaving Afghanistan a stronger and better place. And we all deeply care about our troops, particularly those who are now wounded, who have fought so valiantly.

But, Madam Speaker, decisions regarding the disposition of our forces in Afghanistan should be made in concert with our commanders in the field who take seriously their responsibility for our troops and the success of that mission. I have confidence that General McChrystal, after a thorough and painstaking calculus, has provided a clear plan to increase stability in Afghanistan and allow our troops to withdraw as quickly and as responsibly as possible. Moreover, now is not the time to leave fledgling civil society programs more vulnerable to intimidation and attack.

So, Madam Speaker, I respectfully submit that we cannot afford to risk compromising the future of that region at this most difficult time, and I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this resolution.

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