House GOP, Dems push to get US out of Afghanistan

By The AP
Wednesday, May 25, 2011

WASHINGTON — Several House Republicans and Democrats are pushing to accelerate the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan after the killing of terrorist leader Osama bin Laden.

Republican Jason Chaffetz of Utah and Democrat Peter Welch of Vermont sent a letter to House colleagues today seeking support for their effort, one of several amendments they plan to offer to the defense bill. The House is expected to vote on the measure either Wednesday or Thursday.

In the letter, Chaffetz and Welch question the effectiveness of U.S. strategy in a “10-year nation-building effort in a deeply corrupt Afghanistan.” They argue it makes no sense amid the nation’s economic woes.

President Barack Obama will begin withdrawing some of the 100,000 troops from Afghanistan in July, with all combat forces due out by 2014.