On the recordJune 19, 2014
I strongly oppose this amendment. This amendment is very vaguely crafted. It could have undue consequences. This very short amendment would make no funds available for ``the purpose of conducting combat operations in Afghanistan after December 31, 2014.'' Our bill contains funding for combat operations, not only for United States troops, but provides funding, equipment, lift, and sustainment of allies in the fight. Further, within the overseas contingency operations funding account-- when the OCO budget finally arrives, and we have been asking for it for months--there will be funding for combat operations for Afghanistan troops, and I suspect other troops, American troops, or international troops, through what we call the Afghan Security Forces Fund. I think there is a degree of inevitability that that will happen. Certainly we are going to have troops there I think for some time. This amendment, in my judgment, goes too far, as it attempts to tie the U.S. Government's hands in navigating the complicated situation we face related to threats emanating from Iraq. Let's be realistic. What this amendment would do is it would remove the possibility of the U.S. engaging under any circumstances, even if such engagement would be in the best interest of our country or allies. I strongly oppose the amendment. It doesn't make sense. I reserve the balance of my time.
