For years, the mission in Afghanistan was poorly defined and managed by the Bush Administration-- despite the 9/11 attacks having been perpetrated by those trained and based in Afghanistan. Still, President Bush diverted attention and resources to Iraq, misleading the American people and Congress as to the true source of the threat to our nation and the world.
I cosponsored H.R. 2404 legislation that requires the Secretary of Defense to submit a report to Congress outlining a U.S. exit strategy. In September 2009, I joined a bipartisan group of my House colleagues in a letter calling for President Obama to reject any recommendation for an increase in combat troops, particularly in the absence of a well-defined military strategy.
After considerable and careful review of military options in Afghanistan, the President has submitted to the American people a sober assessment of the realities on the ground and a detailed plan to disrupt and defeat al-Qaeda. I believe the President is committed to ending the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
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