Leading the charge to end war in Afghanistan
Yesterday, Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) held a press conference with a bipartisan group of representatives to call on President Obama to accelerate the end to the war in Afghanistan.
“I believe that it is time for Members of Congress to stand with seven out of ten Americans who oppose the war in Afghanistan,” said Congresswoman Lee. “There is no military solution in Afghanistan, which is why I am pushing Republican leadership to allow me to offer an amendment to the NDAA that would bring about a responsible and immediate end to the war in Afghanistan. The amendment would end combat operations while protecting our troops by ensuring that any dollar directed to Afghanistan can only be spent for the safe and orderly withdrawal of U.S. troops and military contractors.”
Congresswoman Lee was joined by Representatives Walter Jones (R-NC), Ron Paul (R-TX), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Laura Richardson (D-CA), Janice Hahn (D-CA), Lynn Woolsey (D-CA), Peter Welch (D-NY), and James McGovern (D-MA). Congresswoman Lee thanked her colleagues for joining her at the press conference, noting that “the silence on Capitol Hill on this issue has been deafening.”
Ninety representatives joined Rep. Lee in sending a letter to President Obama calling on him to announce an accelerated withdrawal from Afghanistan at next week’s NATO summit. Read the letter and see the list of signers here.
On the heels of the announcement of a plan that leaves the door open to a large military presence in Afghanistan for another twelve years, this is an important time for Congress to make a statement.
Rep. Lee has an amendment that will be voted on TODAY that limits Afghanistan war funding to use for a safe and responsible withdrawal of our troops. Call the congressional switchboard today at 202-224-3121, ask for your representative, and ask him or her to vote YES on the Lee amendment to end the war.
