Afghanistan War Powers Resolution: House of Representatives

Floor Speech

Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 28, which would require the removal of all U.S. forces from Afghanistan by December 31, 2011.

Last Congress, I voted to give the President a year to plan for an orderly withdrawal from Afghanistan. I also voted to defund military operations except for the minimum needed to safely withdraw. I am disappointed that those measures failed, but I am even more disappointed that the administration has not yet acted decisively to chart a clear course to bring our troops home.

We are spending billions of dollars a month to prop up a corrupt Afghan government that has not proven capable to the challenges of governance. Flawed elections, rampant bribery, blatant nepotism, banking abuses, and a lack of accountability have crippled the best efforts of the international community to establish rule of law. After nearly a decade of conflict, it is time to step back, reevaluate, and correct our course.

Thanks to the efforts and sacrifices made by our troops and coalition partners, we have seen successes in the fight against terrorism in Afghanistan. CIA Director Leon Panetta has estimated that the number of al Qaeda operatives remaining in Afghanistan has substantially diminished. We should not minimize the gains our troops have made. But we must recognize that when open-ended nation building eclipses our original military objectives, we commit our blood and treasure to an uncertain, costly, and unconstrained course.

Mr. Speaker, this is not a perfect bill. But I believe it is the best way to send a clear message. I applaud President Obama for disengaging us from Iraq. Now it is time to do the same from Afghanistan. Let's do what it takes to bring our troops home.

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