Political Quotes

“I withdraw the offer of calling up that amendment and my request to set aside the pending amendment, but I would share some thoughts about it. The amendment deals with the ability of the Congress of the United States to review any bilateral security agreement with Afghanistan. Congress was not consulted regarding the framework or the substance of the Enduring Strategic Partnership Agreement between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan that was signed on May 1, 2012. This agreement commits the United States to establishing a long-term bilateral security agreement with Afghanistan. In the past, Congress has been consulted and has sometimes provided its advice and consent to the ratification of these type agreements. The strategic partnership agreement, already signed by President Obama, is a legally binding agreement that committed the United States to various policies including those related to the drawdown of U.S. forces in Afghanistan. It is broad and vague, and any further agreements entered into by the President that are based upon it should be reviewed by the appropriate congressional committees. The President and the Secretary of Defense have stated that the United States continues to fight in Afghanistan to defeat al-Qaida.…”