Statement

In the aftermath of September 11th, I voted to go into Afghanistan because that is where we believed Osama bin Laden was hiding. The Taliban were protecting and supporting the terrorists who murdered so many of our citizens on that terrible day. They made it very clear that they would continue to do so. President Bush rightfully authorized military action in Afghanistan to go after the terrorists. That goal has been largely achieved -- the terrorists have been driven from Afghanistan, and that is why our military engagement there should come to an end. That doesn't mean we should declare victory in the war on terror and turn our backs. We should seek out the terrorists where we think they are currently hiding, not where they once were.

As you know, I have been advocating for withdrawal from Afghanistan for more than a year, and I hope the death of bin Laden in Pakistan will result in advancing this goal. Yesterday I signed on as a co-sponsor of H.R. 1735, the Afghanistan Exit and Accountability Act. This legislation requires the President to detail the Administration's exit strategy for Afghanistan, provide a firm date for withdrawal and report to Congress every 90 days on the progress of this withdrawal. It is long past time to bring our men and women home.