Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2010

Floor Speech

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Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support, strong support, of Congresswoman Barbara Lee's amendment to the 2010 Supplemental Appropriations Act. This amendment would limit the funds appropriated within the supplemental to the continued protection of our military and civilian personnel in Afghanistan, while a plan is implemented to begin their safe and orderly withdrawal from the region.

Despite nearly $300 billion spent on a predominantly military operation, by the way, resulting in the loss of over 1,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan, we have not been able to successfully address Afghanistan's economic depravity, political corruption, or social divisions that have significantly impeded our military efforts within the country.

The American public is tired of this long, drawn-out war. Moreover, many of us in Congress do not see the logic in investing further funds toward training the Afghan Army, when all methods utilized to this point have failed to achieve tangible gains.

Furthermore, charges of corruption within the Karzai government have negatively impacted our credibility among Afghans, forcing them to choose between two different groups of terrorists.

The counterinsurgency (COIN) strategy is failing in Afghanistan and the Afghan government remains corrupt and illegitimate in the eyes of many of the Afghan citizens. The critical appropriations being offered in other Amendments (disaster relief, education funding, black farmer settlements) today underscores why we can no longer afford to continue our expensive military strategy in Afghanistan.

Deploying more combat troops to Afghanistan and continuing Bush wartime engagement strategies will fail to help Afghanistan build long-term sustainable institutions and a credible democratic government. Despite nearly $300 billion spent on a predominantly military operation (resulting in the loss of over 1,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan), we have not been able to successfully address Afghanistan's economic depravity, political corruption, or social divisions that have significantly impeded our military efforts within the country. The American public is beginning to tire of this long drawn-out war. Moreover, many of us in Congress do not see the logic in investing further funds towards training the Afghan army when all methods utilized to this point have failed to achieve tangible gains. Furthermore, charges of corruption within the Karzai government have negatively impacted our credibility among Afghans, forcing them to choose between two different groups of terrorists--the Taliban or the corrupt Karzai government comprised of former warlords, responsible for some of the same atrocities the Taliban currently inflicts upon civilians.

A strengthened Taliban has resurfaced and is engaged in violent attacks throughout the country so that now is the deadliest time for American soldiers since the war began. Booming opium production helps fund the Taliban, which also receives aid from al Qaeda networks in Pakistan. The fledgling Afghan army and police are not ready to defend the country from insurgent attacks and operate independently from U.S. military involvement, training, and support. The highly organized and determined insurgency has continued to exploit the weak central government. Although the main insurgent groups may not have the same operational structure or long-term goals, they are inherently united in their efforts to drive the U.S. out of Afghanistan and unravel the central Afghan ``democratic'' government.

Therefore, Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge my colleagues to vote yes on Representative Lee's Amendment so that we can begin the process of bringing our troops home!

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