Rep. Miller Renews Call to Bring U.S. Troops Home after Release of Deadly Taliban Detainees

Press Release

Today, U.S. Representative Candice Miller (MI-10), Vice Chair of the House Homeland Security Committee and Chairman of the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security, issued the following statement renewing her call to immediately withdraw U.S. troops from Afghanistan after the Administration negotiated the release of five Taliban detainees from Guantanamo:

"Over a decade ago, al-Qaeda in Afghanistan plotted and planned the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks that killed nearly 3,000 Americans. These terrorists were provided safe haven in Afghanistan by the Taliban, and President Obama just released five top-level members of the Taliban government captured on the battlefield, including two wanted by the United Nations for war crimes, to secure the release of one American soldier. These terrorists were also given a hero's welcome in Qatar, which gives little comfort they will truly be kept from returning to the battlefield. This release was also concluded outside the parameters passed by Congress, and signed into law by the President, that requires consultation with appropriate leaders in Congress before such releases are made. It is indeed very troubling that the President seems to have decided that he can negotiate with terrorist elements of the Taliban, but he refuses to consult with Congress.

"U.S. troops have been fighting in Afghanistan to protect the U.S. from our terrorist enemies for nearly 13 years. We have lost over 2,000 soldiers in theater, nearly 20,000 have been wounded, and many while helping to capture the very terrorist leaders that President Obama released last week. The brave men and women of our armed forces deserve better. Last week, just before he released the five Taliban terrorist leaders from Guantanamo, the President announced his intention to keep nearly 10,000 troops in Afghanistan until 2016 -- increasing the threat to our soldiers stationed overseas. I believe this plan should be approved through a vote of the people's representatives in Congress. There is no question that our troops have courageously executed and accomplished their mission. Now it is time to bring them home and end America's longest war. If the President believes he can negotiate with the Taliban, then he should have the same consideration for the elected representatives of the American people."

On May 19, 2008, then-Senator Barack Obama made the following statement at Billings West High School in Billings, MT:

"I taught the Constitution for ten years, I believe in the Constitution, and I will obey the Constitution of the United States. We're not going to use signing statements as a way of doing an end run around Congress."

Despite this previous commitment to adhere to the limits of the U.S. Constitution, President Obama has, for the second time this year, used a signing statement to justify circumventing the law and Congress.

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