Press Releases

WASHINGTON – Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-1), Chairman of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness, released the following statement in response to the President’s announcement about new troop levels in Afghanistan:

“The President’s new troop cap reveals either a lack of understanding or a lack of concern about our mission in Afghanistan. Budget constraints and critical readiness levels mean that our armed forces are already operating at full capacity without adequate resources or support. This decision adds fuel to that fire. Current spending levels were set based on Obama’s original draw-down number, and adjustments need to be made to account for the nearly 3,000 additional troops that will remain in Afghanistan. We owe them that. The Administration has been adamant that its funding priority is our men and women on the front lines. It’s time for the President to come to terms with the commitment—both in manpower and in resources—that it will take to defeat terror in Afghanistan. We cannot allow the lack of strategy and funding to amplify the risk our armed forces face overseas.”

Congressman Rob Wittman represents the 1st District of Virginia. He serves on the House Natural Resources Committee and the House Armed Services Committee, where he is Chairman of the Readiness Subcommittee.

# # #