Press Releases

Today, Rep. Vicky Hartzler (R-MO), Chairwoman of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, made the following remarks on the hearing titled “Assessing the Development of Afghanistan National Security Forces:”

"This is a very important topic, and one I know that Ranking Member Speier finds especially significant. I am happy to partner with her in exploring this subject.

This morning we continue the Committee’s oversight dialogue with the Department that began last week with the foundational testimony that General Campbell laid-out before the full committee. General Campbell testified about the evolving security situation in Afghanistan and the policy, strategy, and posture required from our nation in order to develop, support and sustain the people and Unity Government of Afghanistan well into the future.

The goal of our hearing is to learn about and assess the Department’s efforts to train, advise, and assist the Afghanistan security forces as we and our coalition partners strive to build a capable and lethal Afghan security force. Afghanistan needs to maintain its sovereignty, and protect its population. And for the benefit of Afghanistan, the United States, and the international community, it must also deny terrorists safe-havens.

In reading the recent Congressional reports submitted by our witnesses, and listening to testimony from General Campbell, the subcommittee understands that the Afghan security forces are still in their nascent stages of becoming a professionalized, self-sustaining, and capable institution. But, there are still various shortfalls and insufficient capabilities in important functions hindering these goals.

The Afghan forces do not have enough airplanes or helicopters, especially those capable of providing close-air support. While there clearly has been improvement, the ability to collect and disseminate ample intelligence is lacking, as is the ability to maintain and account for equipment. Even the 'bread and butter' administrative issues, such as pay, leave, and medical services for Afghan forces need attention.

According to last week’s testimony, these challenges are compounded by the fact that 70 percent of the problems facing Afghan Security forces result from poor senior leadership within the Afghan Ministries of Defense and the Interior.

The Taliban are emboldened, the Haqqani Network continues to sponsor terrorist attacks, and there is a growing Islamic State presence in Afghanistan. Thus, it is essential that we ensure that the Afghan security forces and their civilian leadership are properly positioned on the critical path to success.

However, I am concerned that the president’s current budget request for aiding the Afghan forces is $200 million less than last year’s amount, and the Administration plans to withdrawal U.S. forces down to 5,500 beginning as soon as April of this year. We must not prematurely reduce our commitment to the people of Afghanistan. All one needs to do is look at the result of premature withdrawal in Iraq to determine what will happen if we repeat near history and prematurely leave Afghanistan.

General Campbell noted last week the devotion of the Afghan people in fighting for their country; this is a positive sign. While the material and support is something the American people can assist with having the heart and willingness to fight is something the Afghan people must offer.

He also suggested last week that the U.S. should begin instituting a 5-year planning cycle for the region, instead of the unpredictable one-year at a time approach that tends to foster instability, uncertainty, and insecurity. General Campbell also readily acknowledged that our sustained engagement in Afghanistan will continue through 2024 – per the Strategic Partnership Agreement signed by the Governments of Afghanistan and the United States.

We must also ensure there are appropriate mechanisms and governance structures in place that provide for effective insight in order to oversee, account for, and safeguard the security assistance the U.S. and our international partners are contributing to the Afghans. We need to limit as much as possible opportunities in activities or operations that would encourage or enable individuals to exploit or conduct any fraud, waste, or abuse activities. Activities of this nature can undercut the trust of the American people, impedes morale of our troops, and fuels skepticism that we’re not seriously committed to effective and efficient use of our resources.

I look forward to discussing the Department’s strategy for addressing the issues I’ve outlined, and to hear from some who have conducted their own assessment of these activities.

I am pleased to recognize our witnesses today and I want to thank them for taking the time to be with us. We have:

Ms. Christine Abizaid, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Central Asia from the Office of the Secretary of Defense;

Colonel Stephen Michael, Deputy Director for the Pakistan Afghanistan and Transregional Threats Coordination Cell from the Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff;

Mr. Kent Breedlove, Senior Defense Analyst for Afghanistan with the Defense Intelligence Agency;

The Honorable John Sopko, the presidentially-appointed Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction; and,

Mr. Michael Child, Deputy Inspector General for Overseas Contingency Operations from the Department of Defense.

Thank you all again for being with us today."