GOP Leaders Press Obama on Afghanistan
House Republican leaders reiterated their concern on Friday that the Obama administration has endangered troops in Afghanistan by engaging in an extended review of the situation in the troubled region before sending additional forces.
“For over two months you have been engaged in a strategy review that has left the country, our military, and allies uncertain about your commitment to the war in Afghanistan and unsure about your will to do what it is necessary to win this conflict,— the leaders said in a letter to President Barack Obama. “Worse, we fear this process has emboldened our enemies. “
The GOP leaders urged Obama to adopt the recommendation made by Gen. Stanley McChrystal and deploy an additional 40,000 troops to help secure the region. “We encourage you to adopt General McChrystal’s recommendation, and to provide him with the forces that will give us the highest chance for success with the lowest risk to the safety and security of our forces,— they wrote.
Obama told reporters earlier this week that he will announce a decision on Afghanistan “in the next several weeks.—
Republican leaders who signed the letter include Minority Leader John Boehner (Ohio), Minority Whip Eric Cantor (Va.), Conference Chairman Mike Pence (Ind.), Policy Committee Chairman Thaddeus McCotter (Mich.), Conference Vice Chairwoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (Wash.), Conference Secretary John Carter (Texas), National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Pete Sessions (Texas), Chief Deputy Whip Kevin McCarthy (Calif.), Republican Study Committee Chairman Tom Price (Ga.), and Reps. Roy Blunt (Mo.), Jerry Lewis (Calif.), Howard McKeon (Calif.), Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (Fla.) and Pete Hoekstra (Mich.).