Washington, D.C. – The Congressional Progressive Caucus Co-Chairs, Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) and Congressman Mark Pocan (WI-02), released the following statement on the announced withdrawal of 2,500 troops from Afghanistan by January 2020:
“It’s long past time for the United States to end the war in Afghanistan and bring our troops home. This is the longest war in American history – and despite the enormous loss of life and rising costs to taxpayers, it’s clear that there is no military solution to this conflict.
“We think the decision to withdraw 2500 troops from Afghanistan is an important step to drawing down our military presence in the region. But President Trump has repeatedly failed to prioritize or invest in the diplomatic efforts necessary to build a sustainable peace. Worse, the Trump Administration has doubled-down on our forever wars, including providing U.S. military equipment for the Saudi-led war in Yemen. Rather than untangling us from military quagmires, President Trump has deepened U.S. involvement in conflicts around the globe.
“The war in Afghanistan must end – and a piecemeal approach is insufficient. Democrats in Congress must work with the Biden Administration to build a comprehensive plan to end our war in Afghanistan and our other forever wars around the world, reinvest in diplomacy and human-centered development, and facilitate lasting peace in the region. And Congress too must act by ending the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force, which has served as a blank check for war for far too long.”
This past July, 126 Democrats, one Independent and two Republicans voted to support CPC Whip Ilhan Omar’s amendment to begin the responsible withdrawal of American service members deployed in Afghanistan.
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