Brian Jones: “Thank you very much. Even though the chairman has a point of order, I want to explain why I think this amendment is…”

“Thank you very much. Even though the chairman has a point of order, I want to explain why I think this amendment is important. I am working with Rosa DeLauro on this amendment. This amendment simply says that any long-term security agreement with Afghanistan must be conducted as a treaty or authorized by Congress. In 2008, this Congress was outraged that a long-term security agreement would be concluded without input from Congress. I wonder where the outrage is today? We're in worse financial shape than we were in 2008, and I would hope that Congress would see that we have a need and a responsibility. This agreement, signed last month, was submitted to the Afghan Parliament, but not to the United States Congress. Where is the outrage? My colleague, Ms. DeLauro, led the effort in the House in 2008 to return Congress to its constitutional responsibility. We must decide when and where our men and women go to fight. I would like to commend Ms. DeLauro for having the courage to help lead this effort again today. No matter who is the President, it is the responsibility of Congress to commit U.S. troops and fund this agreement. Mr. Chairman, there are estimates that say we will be up to 30,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan until 2024. This will cost over $500 billion. {time} 1730 Yet, if we don't support legislation like we are talking about today, we will have no say, no say at all.…”