Press Releases

Today, Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-TX), Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, made the following remarks in response to Secretary Carter's conversation with members of the media on U.S. troop levels in Afghanistan. Multiple outlets reported on Secretary Carter's comments with regard to future missions and funding for Afghanistan.

"Secretary Carter’s latest comments highlight the political nature of the President’s decision on US troop levels in Afghanistan. What 'lessons learned' indicate Afghanistan will become more secure with 1,352 fewer troops? Shouldn’t we be defining the missions that will best contribute to success and resource the necessary troops accordingly, rather than allowing the overall force level to dictate mission sets and the makeup of the force? I may be old fashioned, but it seems to me that the process is exactly backward. However, I am encouraged to learn that the Secretary is considering a supplemental budget request to fund the troops. I would have profound reservations about any reprogramming request that would further cut readiness to support this mission.”