[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 23 (Thursday, February 6, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Pages S824-S825]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 347--PROVIDING FOR COMPLETION OF THE ACCELERATED 
TRANSITION OF UNITED STATES COMBAT AND MILITARY AND SECURITY OPERATIONS 
                    TO THE GOVERNMENT OF AFGHANISTAN

  Mr. MERKLEY (for himself, Mr. Lee, Mr. Manchin, Mr. Paul, Mr. Harkin, 
Mr. Leahy, Mr. Whitehouse, Mr. Begich, and Mr. Wyden) submitted the 
following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign 
Relations:

                              S. Res. 347

       Whereas, in June 2013, the Government of Afghanistan 
     assumed the lead for combat operations in all regions of 
     Afghanistan consistent with the schedule agreed to by 
     President Barack Obama and President of Afghanistan Hamid 
     Karzai: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved,

     SECTION 1. COMPLETION OF ACCELERATED TRANSITION OF UNITED 
                   STATES COMBAT AND MILITARY AND SECURITY 
                   OPERATIONS TO THE GOVERNMENT OF AFGHANISTAN.

       (a) Statement of Policy.--It is the policy of the United 
     States--
       (1) that, in coordination with the Government of 
     Afghanistan, North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member 
     countries, and other allies in Afghanistan, the President 
     shall complete the accelerated transition of United States 
     military and security operations to the Government of 
     Afghanistan and redeploy United States Armed Forces from 
     Afghanistan (including operations involving military and 
     security-related contractors) by not later than December 31, 
     2014; and
       (2) to pursue diplomatic efforts leading to a political 
     settlement and reconciliation of the internal conflict in 
     Afghanistan.
       (b) Sense of the Senate.--It is the sense of the Senate 
     that, should the President determine the necessity to 
     maintain United States troops in Afghanistan to carry out 
     missions after December 31, 2014, any such presence and 
     missions should be authorized by a separate vote of Congress 
     not later than June 1, 2014.
       (c) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be 
     construed as limiting or prohibiting any authority of the 
     President to--
       (1) modify the military strategy, tactics, and operations 
     of United States Armed Forces as such Armed Forces redeploy 
     from Afghanistan;
       (2) attack al Qaeda forces wherever such forces are 
     located;
       (3) provide financial support and equipment to the 
     Government of Afghanistan for the training and supply of 
     Afghanistan military and security forces;
       (4) gather, provide, and share intelligence with United 
     States allies operating in Afghanistan and Pakistan; or

[[Page S825]]

       (5) provide security after December 31, 2014, to United 
     States facilities or diplomatic personnel located in 
     Afghanistan.

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