Congresswoman Barbara Lee Calls for an End to the Longest War in US History
Oakland, CA – Congresswoman Barbara Lee released this statement on breaking news that the US will keep troops in Afghanistan through 2017:
“Just last week, our nation marked the 14th anniversary of the US invasion in Afghanistan. Today, we learned that our troops will remain in the country through 2017, further extending the longest war in American history.
In Afghanistan, our brave servicemen and women have gone above and beyond the call of duty. It’s past time to end this war.
2,350 brave American service members have made the ultimate sacrifice and thousands more bear visible and invisible scars. This war’s price tag totals more than $716 billion and has prevented us from acting on our domestic priorities.
More than a decade later, we remain mired in a war with no end. Rather than extending this costly war, it’s time to listen to the American people and bring our troops home.
While Afghanistan and the region still face significant challenges, history has shown us that there is no military solution. Only an inclusive political solution can put Afghanistan on a path to peace and prosperity. The future of Afghanistan must be in the hands of the Afghan people.”
###
Congresswoman Lee is a member of the Appropriations and Budget Committees, the Steering and Policy Committee, is a Senior Democratic Whip, former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus and co-chair of the Progressive Caucus. She serves as chair of the Whip’s Task Force on Poverty and Opportunity.