On the recordMay 26, 2011
By including this language in this bill, we are absolutely being clear that the policy of the United States in Afghanistan and Iraq has never included permanent bases and will never include permanent bases. However, I'm disappointed that we didn't go one step further today by considering my amendment to begin a sizeable and significant reduction of our Armed Forces beginning this July so that we can begin to end the longest war in American history. But I am urging our colleagues to support the amendment prohibiting permanent military bases in Iraq and Afghanistan. It's critical in fighting the perception held by many in Iraq and Afghanistan that we are an occupying army or that we intend to remain as an occupying force. That perception fuels the insurgency and the Taliban and makes our troops more vulnerable and further threatens our national security. So I want to thank the chairman again and our ranking member for the time and for including this amendment in the en bloc package of amendments. Mr. McKEON. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to my friend and colleague, the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Kingston).
