On the recordJuly 6, 2011
The gentlewoman has an amendment to reduce the overseas contingency operation--aka the war on terror--by $33 billion. She intends for this amendment to support, as she says, an orderly withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan. However, such a reduction would, in fact, severely disrupt and suspend a redeployment from Afghanistan. The magnitude of her funding reduction would also threaten the ability to support troop pay and safety. The committee has provided funds to begin the redeployment of troops in Afghanistan. If the redeployment from Afghanistan were to be accelerated, there would be significant increases in personnel, equipment, and transportation costs in fiscal year 2012. Mr. Chairman, I oppose the amendment and urge others to do likewise. I yield back the balance of my time.
