[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 47 (Monday, April 4, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E615]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 H. CON. RES. 28, DIRECTING THE PRESIDENT, PURSUANT TO SECTION 5(C) OF 
  THE WAR POWERS RESOLUTION, TO REMOVE THE UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES 
                            FROM AFGHANISTAN

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                          HON. EARL BLUMENAUER

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 4, 2011

  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, I continue to have profound reservations 
about our troop commitments in Afghanistan. History suggests that we 
will not be successful in stabilizing Afghanistan with military force. 
No one has and I don't think anyone will.
  I opposed the tripling of forces in the region and think that a rapid 
drawdown starting in July is absolutely essential. We should not, 
however, tie the hands of the administration and put the civilians in 
Afghanistan at risk by forcing a complete withdrawal of troops in 30 
days. The forthcoming reduction in U.S. troop levels in Afghanistan 
must be significant and sizeable, but must be executed in an orderly 
fashion.
  The reasons for a timely departure are many. Afghanistan today is one 
of the most corrupt countries in the world, ranked next to last out of 
180 by Transparency International. If you have a culture of corruption, 
it's hard to plant seeds of positive growth. Economic development 
through roads and water make the difference between people being thug 
and doing whatever necessary to feed their families.
  The United States and international donors simply cannot afford to 
bankroll 70% of Afghanistan's budget and to keep spending $8 billion a 
month in taxpayer money. We spend in one day 20 times what the average 
Afghani will earn in an entire year. Yet for all that spending there is 
a dire need for the most basic of services. In the rural areas, 80% 
drink polluted water, only 10% have adequate sanitation.
  It grows clearer by the day that the more heavy-handed we are and the 
stronger our military presence in Afghanistan, the more we unify the 
threats against our troops, the United States, and our allies.
  Military efforts do little to address the Afghan people's grievances 
over their exclusion from the political process and do little for long-
term stability throughout the region. We should focus on civilian 
efforts, working with Afghans to strengthen their ability to govern, 
support civil society, fight corruption, and help to rebuild their 
country. We cannot do this in 30 days, not even 30 weeks. That's why I 
oppose this resolution and instead support a significant--but 
thoughtful--drawdown in July.

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