If the mission there were to leave, then those 200,000 would be very much at risk in terms of their personal security.

I know my time is up, Mr. Chairman, but can I just ask, what happens if the international community leaves entirely?

I think we also have to empower and protect the civil societies who are providing most of the humanitarian aid.

What is the policy of the United States at this time?

We have a choice to stay where we are on the path that is not seemingly effective, move toward a path that I am suggesting, or the alternative is that we pull back and we let the conflict take its course.

Georgia is a trusted friend and steadfast partner of the United States. I firmly support Georgia's sovereignty, security, and prosperity, and I wish to congratulate Georgians on the remarkable democratic and economic progress they have…

Now it is time to put politics aside and work together, to stay here and do what the American people need. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Tennessee.

It is disappointing to me that we have had a few people in the Senate and in the House who have blocked something that has been very important to our efforts on the ground in Afghanistan.

Without any action from Congress to authorize additional visas for the Afghan Special Immigrant Visa program, not only will that program expire but thousands of Afghans who have provided valuable service to our Embassy there... will be…

But we think the important thing is for them to actually come up with a reform package and agree on it.

I am joining with the others who are here on the floor today who have called on the majority leader of the Senate to stay here and to take action on matters of critical importance to the American people. On the first Monday in October, the…

There are issues that are under consideration right now, consideration of electronic I.D. cards, of the question of constituencies.