Brian Jones: “1 week ago, Barbara Lee and Tom Cole sent a letter to the Speaker of the House that was signed by 100 Members of…”

“1 week ago, Barbara Lee and Tom Cole sent a letter to the Speaker of the House that was signed by 100 Members of Congress, including myself, asking the Speaker to authorize the committees of jurisdiction to bring an AUMF--that is an Authorization for Use of Military Force--so that we can have a debate. The last time we had a policy debate on Afghanistan was 2001, 17 years ago. I have been on the floor for the last 5 years because I am frustrated that we can't get a debate. It is our constitutional duty. And our young men and women are around the world in different locations, half we don't even know about, yet we can't debate an issue of war when young men and women go and die for this country. That 5 years included calling on John Boehner to authorize an AUMF. Now we are calling on Paul Ryan. I think my name has been on 15 letters going back to the days of John Boehner. In the 17 years, we have spent over $1 trillion, over 2,300 Americans have died, and over 20,000 wounded; yet we in Congress are not meeting our constitutional responsibility. I have Camp Lejeune in my district. I have talked to many Active Duty marines who have been there five, six, seven times. It is so chaotic now, that the Russians are working with Karzai and trying to get back in with the Taliban. It is a no-win situation. It is time to have a debate and let Members vote whether they want to stay or come home. Mr.…”