Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Heath Shuler released the following statement today after voting for a resolution, H. Con. Res. 28, calling for the removal of all U.S. Armed Forces personnel from Afghanistan by the end of 2011.
“More than nine years ago the brave men and women of Americass Armed Forces went to Afghanistan to defeat the Taliban and Al-Queda forces that had attacked our nation on September 11th. It is now the longest war in which America has ever been engaged. Our troops have fought bravely, honorably, and well. They have done all we have asked of them. They have also worked tirelessly to develop a stable and responsive democratic government there. That task, however, cannot be completed by American military action. It can only be accomplished by the Afghan people. Our nation is mired in debt and programs vital to the health and safety of American communities are on the budget chopping block. With more than $454 billion already spent on operations in Afghanistan and another $113 billion requested for the next fiscal year, the time has come for our troops to come home and for the Afghan people to stand up for their nation. I am proud to continue to stand firmly with our Armed Forces and will support every effort to defeat those who threaten our nation's security, but we cannot and should not continue to endlessly commit American lives and treasure in Afghanistan.”
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