October 07, 2011

Manchin Statement on 10th Anniversary of War in Afghanistan

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) issued the following statement on the 10-year anniversary of the U.S. war in Afghanistan. 

“The decade since 9/11 has brought dramatic changes to our country and the world we live in, but one thing hasn’t changed: the United States of America will bring our enemies to justice and pursue those who would seek to do us harm,” Senator Manchin said. “The men and women of our armed forces and the intelligence community, along with their families, have sacrificed so much to bring us victory in Afghanistan. I am grateful beyond words to each and every one of them for their service and sacrifice. Our great nation is safer today because of their excellent work. On this tenth anniversary of the war in Afghanistan, I thank them for their dedication and remember their fallen loved ones, the sons and daughters of this country who fought to keep us all safe. 

“By all accounts, we have been successful in eliminating the al Qaeda threat in Afghanistan. I believe it is time to shift our mission away from costly nation-building and to counter-terrorism. Having visited the region twice – once as Governor and once in February – I can say with confidence that it is now time for our brave troops to come home. Ten years later, we should not be spending hundreds of billions in Afghanistan while we are facing a crushing load of debt here at home. As I have said before, we must choose between rebuilding Afghanistan and rebuilding America because we can’t afford to do both. And I choose to rebuild America.” 

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