Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) this week introduced the Safe and Responsible Redeployment of United States Combat Forces from Afghanistan Act of 2011, which would express the Senate’s support for President Obama’s plan to begin the withdrawal of combat forces from Afghanistan in July 2011. It would also require the President to submit to Congress a plan for the phased redeployment of U.S. combat forces from Afghanistan, including an end date for the completion of that redeployment.
Senator Boxer said, “This legislation makes clear our commitment to begin the phased redeployment of our brave military men and women from Afghanistan this summer and to have a plan in place to responsibly bring home all U.S. combat forces in Afghanistan.”
Since October 7, 2001, United States military and coalition forces have served valiantly and at great personal sacrifice in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. This bill would honor that service by giving service members—and all Americans—a clear picture of the duration of the U.S. commitment in Afghanistan, including the intended handover of responsibility for security in Afghanistan to the Afghan government and people.
As a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Boxer has pushed for a well-thought-out plan for phased redeployment that protects our national security, our troops and the Afghan people.
The bill is cosponsored by Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Richard Durbin (D-IL) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY).