Brian Jones: “I have been on the floor so many times over the last year or so talking about the 16 years of war in Afghanistan and the…”

“I have been on the floor so many times over the last year or so talking about the 16 years of war in Afghanistan and the waste of money, but, more importantly, the waste of life. The titles that I am going to share with the House today have appeared in October and November in articles, national articles, about the failed policy in Afghanistan. I would like to share those very quickly. ``U.S. Pledges Another $800 Million to Afghanistan Despite Rampant Corruption.'' ``Four Americans Die in Suicide Blast At U.S. Base in Afghanistan; 17 Others Wounded.'' These are headlines, Mr. Speaker. ``Latest Afghan Attack Raises Perplexing Questions on Security.'' Another title: ``The U.S. Spent Billions Building Roads in Afghanistan. Now Many of Them Are Beyond Repair.'' Another title: ``Inspector General: Pentagon Must Explain Afghan `Ghost Soldier' Problems. Funding for Afghan Military Wasted on Non- Existent Soldiers.'' Mr. Speaker, 200,000 Afghanistan ghosts that the taxpayers of America have been paying for their services, and they don't even exist. When I read that, I wrote a letter to the Defense Secretary, Ash Carter, and I said to Secretary Carter: Please explain how much money did we pay to the ghosts that don't even exist? How long have we been paying the ghosts that don't exist? We are talking about 200,000 Afghan soldiers that don't even exist. Mr.…”