WISCONSINREPORT.COM (06/23/2011) - Not unlike Wisconsin residents from all parts of the state, Wisconsin representatives in the U.S. Congress, Democrat and Republican, also have mixed feelings about President Obama's announced withdrawl of troops from Afghanistan. The pullout of 33,000 troops by next summer will still find the remaining troop level to be higher than many would like to see. Troop deaths, cost of the war, the economy back home, and government pocket book woes are all playing a part in the drawdown.

Wisconsin U.S. Senator Herb Kohl (D-WI) thinks President Obama's announced pullout of troops in Afghanistan could have been more aggressive:

"We’ve been in Afghanistan for longer than any war in our history, our troops have made outstanding progress and Osama bin Laden is dead. It’s time to bring our people home and rebuild our country. As the President said, it's vital that we end our combat mission in Afghanistan and shift the responsibility for their security to their own government," U.S. Senator Herb Kohl said in response to the President Obama Announcement Wednesday night.

In advance of President Obama’s speech on Afghanistan, Wisconsin's junior U.S. Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI) made the following remarks:

“America has been an exceptional force for good in this world and we should never apologize for it. At the same time, we are running a $1.5 trillion deficit, and we must re-think our spending in all areas. We have to re-evaluate, but we have to do it in a sensible manner," U.S. Senator Ron Johnson said.

“What gains have been made in Afghanistan, as tenuous as they may be, have been paid with a very high price, in terms of the sacrifice of the finest among us. We have to make sure those gains are consolidated, and not lost," Senator Johnson said.

“The Afghan people are like folks everywhere. They want peace. They want freedom. At some point, they have to fight for it, and I am very encouraged that so many are willing do so,” Senator Ron Johnson added.

In response to President Obama’s announcement on Afghanistan, Congressman Paul Ryan (R-WI) issued the following statement:

“I am concerned about the pace of the troop withdrawals announced by the President tonight," Congressperson Ryan said.

"The President’s announcement puts in doubt whether the commanders on the ground will have the forces they need to accomplish America’s longstanding goals in Afghanistan, which are defeating al Qaeda and enabling the Afghan government to exercise effective control over its territory," Congressional Representative Ryan said.

"Success in Afghanistan remains as important to our national security today as it was when we liberated that country in 2001. The nearly 10 years of selfless sacrifice by our military service members has helped to make America safer. We owe it to them to ensure they have all the resources they need to succeed,” Representative Paul Ryan said.

Congressional Representative Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) reminds people that "in the past week, two more young Wisconsin soldiers died in Afghanistan":

"Our troops must be brought home safely and soon from Afghanistan and Iraq. For a decade now, U.S. troops have been fighting in Afghanistan, in a war that no longer has a clear mission, with no end in sight," Congressperson Baldwin said.

"We have spent nearly a trillion dollars of borrowed money and lost nearly 6,000 American lives. Thousands more servicemen and women have suffered serious, life-altering injuries," Congressional Representative Baldwin pointed out.

Baldwin is urging the President to bring more troops home safely as quickly as possible.

"Our first priority must be rebuilding our economy and creating jobs here at home," Wisconsin U.S. Congressional Representative Tammy Baldwin said.


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