Mack Statement On President Obama's Address To The Nation On Afghanistan

Statement

Congressman Connie Mack (FL-14), the Ranking Republican of the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, issued the following statement this evening on President Obama's primetime address to the nation about U.S. policy in Afghanistan.

Mack said:

"Tonight, after several months of delay, President Obama presented his plan for the war in Afghanistan. While I am disappointed that President Obama is not committing the full number of troops that General McChrystal had requested, I'm encouraged by the President's announcement today that he is committing approximately 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan. While we all want the President's strategy to succeed, the American people need to know that he has the resolve to see our mission through to the end.

"We must not forget why we are in Afghanistan: to eliminate a safe haven for terrorists and protect our national security. Leaving Afghanistan before our mission is completed would destabilize its neighbors, including a nuclear-armed Pakistan, and would undermine our fight in the global war on terror. That's why we must listen to our commanders in the field and commit the resources our troops need to defeat al-Qaeda terrorists and Taliban extremists.

"I look forward to hearing more details about our strategy in Afghanistan from Secretary Clinton, Secretary Gates, and Admiral Mullen at tomorrow's House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing.

"Failure in Afghanistan is not an option. Congress and President Obama must work together to provide our troops with the resources they need to fight and win. The United States must continue to be the beacon of hope and opportunity across the globe, and we must continue to stand united and strong against enemies of freedom."

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