Gallego Wraps-up Visit to U.S. Troops in Afghanistan

Statement

U.S. Representative Pete P. Gallego (D-Alpine) today finished a Memorial Day weekend trip to Afghanistan where he visited with troops and met with senior U.S. military and diplomatic officials to discuss the way forward in Afghanistan. His three-day trip overlapped with the President's brief visit on Sunday.

Below is a statement from U.S. Rep. Gallego:

"This is my second trip to Afghanistan in as many years. Visiting our troops over Memorial Day allows me to reinforce that the American people -- and Texans in particular -- have their back.

"As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I know what a special responsibility it is to ensure that our nation's sons and daughters have the support, training, and equipment they need. I've spent a lot of time with our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines, and I know that members of Congress must show the same commitment to public service that they demonstrate every day.

"The way we reduce our force levels in Afghanistan over the coming year will determine whether our hard-fought efforts are successful in the long-term. Afghanistan must never again become a terrorist safehaven -- and how we draw down will have a big impact on Afghanistan's future and America's national security.

"Most importantly, I want our troops to know that our sacred obligation to support them at war does not end when they come home. I will continue the fight to fix problems at the Department of Veterans Affairs and ensure that we keep our promise."

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