This morning, Leader Pelosi returned from spending two days in Afghanistan leading a bipartisan Congressional Delegation to Afghanistan with:
Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT)
Congressman John Mica (R-FL)
Congressman Leonard Boswell (D-IA)
Congressman Bill Pascrell (D-NJ)
In Afghanistan, the delegation visited with U.S. troops and received briefings from U.S. Ambassador Karl Eikenberry; Lt. General Rodriguez, Commander, International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) Joint Command and Deputy Commander, U.S. Forces – Afghanistan; and other senior military and civilian officials. The delegation also met with President Hamid Karzai to discuss the political and security situation in Afghanistan, including the transition of responsibility for security to the Afghans.
On the first day of their visit, the delegation met with Ambassador Eikenberry and his team, who updated the delegation on conditions on the ground since last December’s review of our nation’s strategy in Afghanistan.
With President Karzai topics that were discussed include: the need to end corruption and ensure strict accountability for American taxpayer dollars, the importance of building civil institutions, and the progress made by women in the Afghanistan.
Leader Pelosi and the bipartisan delegation also received a briefing from Lt. General William Caldwell on NATO’s training mission for the Afghan police and military.
Leader Pelosi and Lt. General William Caldwell
The delegation met with newly-elected members of the Afghan parliament, including Speaker Abdul Raouf Ibrahimi and women members. Women now comprise more than 20% of the parliament.
Leader Pelosi and the bipartisan delegation meet with newly-elected members of the Afghan parliament and women members.
Leader Pelosi meeting with American soldiers at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul:
The delegation later traveled to Marjah in southwest Afghanistan to see the impact of U.S. policy on the ground, visiting a market; engaging students at a new school that opened just over a month ago; speaking with local Afghan leaders and citizens, and U.S. military personnel; discussing the advancements over the last six months in this critical region.
Leader Pelosi upon her return:
The brave men and women of our armed forces bear any burden on behalf of our safety and security. It is an honor to visit our troops and other US government personnel in Afghanistan and have the opportunity to express the gratitude of the American people for their service, sacrifice, and unwavering dedication to their mission.