Fortenberry: Congress Should Review Afghan Strategy

Asks that General McChrystal Testify Before Lawmakers

Washington, D.C. — Congressman Jeff Fortenberry today called for testimony before Congress from the Administration and the top military commander in Afghanistan regarding the assessment of military operations there.  A classified memo from General Stanley McChrystal to the President was made public earlier this week.   It is anticipated that the President and Gen. McChrystal will request additional resources and more troops in Afghanistan within the next year.

“As the military has pointed out, the situation in Afghanistan is deteriorating,” Fortenberry said.  “Given this development, I believe the President should direct General McChrystal to present a full assessment of operations in Afghanistan directly to Congress, as General Petraeus did when he first took command in Iraq.  This situation is gravely serious. The American people deserve to know that decisions requiring sacrifice on the part of our military are fully informed and carefully deliberated.”

Shortly after taking office, President Obama ordered 17,000 combat troops to Afghanistan.  In March, the President announced a new strategy for Pakistan and Afghanistan, including an additional 4,000 American troops in Afghanistan. 

Fortenberry is a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Middle East and South Asia Subcommittee.

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