Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:June 23, 2011

CONTACT:Hannah Loy 202-225-2315

Rep. Gosar comments on President Obama’s troop removal in Afghanistan

Today, U.S. Congressman Paul Gosar, DDS (AZ-01) released the following statement on the President’s announcement on troop withdrawal.  Despite what top Pentagon officials had recommended Obama will bring home 10,000 U.S. troops from Afghanistan by the end of this year and reverse the full 33,000-troop surge by the end of next summer. 

“President Obama’s statements have once again shown the American people that his Administration puts politics ahead of threats to our national security abroad and fiscal crisis at home. I believe it is of utmost importance that any removal of forces is based on ground conditions and in line with the advice of our senior military leaders, not political expediency.  Our brave men and women in uniform have made significant progress in Afghanistan and prematurely drawing down troops could compromise those efforts and inhibit our ability to transfer security responsibility over to the Afghans

With that said, our country is broke. We simply cannot afford to fight a war that is costing us nearly $2 billion per week with no real plan. Whether it is Afghanistan, Libya, or here at home the Administration has failed to display the strategic leadership necessary in these difficult times.  I am concerned that the President ignores professional advisors.  He rejected legal advice on Libya and he is rejecting military advice on Afghanistan.This is a disturbing trend.”

Dr. Paul Gosar is serving his first term in Congress as the Representative to Arizona’s First Congressional District.  As a healthcare provider and small business owner, Gosar is focused on bringing jobs back to the district, reforming health care, reining in government spending and ensuring that his constituents are involved in the solution process.  For more information, visit his website atwww.gosar.house.gov. 

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