On the recordApril 26, 2012
Last weekend, the United States Government and Afghanistan reached a strategic agreement to define the terms of the relationship between our two countries in the near-term future. First of all, this agreement affirms that our combat troops will not leave Afghanistan until 2014, which is far too slow a timetable. Don't we have enough evidence right here after 10-plus years that we're not making America safer with this war, we're not minimizing the terrorist threat, and we're not bringing stability and security to Afghanistan? How much more will Americans be asked to sacrifice? How many more tens of billions in taxpayer dollars will be wasted when we have so many needs right here at home? How many more Americans have to come home in a casket? How many more will take their own lives because the mental health distress of serving in a combat zone becomes too much? How many more have to spend the rest of their lives in a wheelchair, or without a limb or limbs, because of injuries suffered in an immoral and unnecessary war? {time} 1030 Believe me, Mr. Speaker, there is not a minute to waste. Now is the moment to end this war and bring our troops home. The meeting this weekend does, however, show the importance of a plan going forward, a plan that will define the terms of our engagement with Afghanistan after the war is over. I've always said that ending the military occupation does not mean abandoning Afghanistan. The question is, what form will our partnership take?…
