Pingree Statement on President Trump's Plan to Send More Troops to Afghanistan

Statement

Congresswoman Pingree (D-Maine) issued the following statement in response to President Trump's plan to raise troop levels in Afghanistan:

"I was disappointed to hear President Trump take pride in repealing Obama-era rules on civilian casualties which were put in place to reduce resentment among the population and decrease terrorism. His plan for Afghanistan is over-reliant on military action and, in removing all timetables, there is no end in sight for our nation's longest war.

I've long-opposed the war in Afghanistan and advocated for another Authorization for Military Force (AUMF) to be voted on in Congress. Since the war in Afghanistan began, thousands of Americans have lost their lives, while more than 20,000 have been wounded. Congress must have a long overdue debate about the merits of this war and revoke the President's blank check to declare it. Committing more troops and resources to this conflict makes our exit strategy even more uncertain and it should not be done using an AUMF from nearly two decades ago."

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