"The service of our brave men and women in uniform has been nothing short of heroic. As we bring our troops back home from both Iraq and Afghanistan, we must do so responsibly and with our national "

-    Congressman Donnelly

Click each bullet point below to learn more about Congressman Donnelly’s work on behalf of veterans:

• Iraq
  
• Afghanistan

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Iraq

In December 2011, the last combat forces withdrew from Iraq, after men and women in uniform had spent nearly nine years engaged in combat operations there. Between 2007 and the end of active combat operations, Congressman Donnelly had the privilege to travel to Iraq three times to meet with troops and military leadership.

Congressman Donnelly meets with troops during a 2008 visit to Iraq.

While the U.S. has withdrawn combat troops and the Iraqi security forces have taken responsibility for maintaining order in Iraq, the U.S. will continue to provide diplomatic and civilian support to Iraq as it attempts to maintain stability.

Afghanistan
   
Currently, American men and women—including many Hoosiers—are serving in Afghanistan. Congressman Donnelly has participated in three Congressional trips to Afghanistan, during which he has had the opportunity to meet with American service members, military leadership, and Afghan President Hamid Karzai.

Congressman Donnelly and his colleague, Rep. Stephen Lynch, fly over Spin Boldak, Afghanistan in 2010.

In June 2011, the administration announced its plans to bring home 33,000 U.S. troops from Afghanistan by the summer of 2012, with 10,000 of them returning to our soil by the end of 2012. Our brave men and women in uniform have provided extraordinary service in a very tough fight that has been vital to our national security. However, after nearly a decade of war, given the death of Osama bin Laden, and the difficult decisions our country must make regarding our current deficits, more Americans are questioning the duration and scope of our commitment to the war in Afghanistan.

It is the right time to start bringing our troops home, but we must make sure to leave responsibly. The U.S. must continue to deny safe haven to Al-Qaeda and retain the capability to strike those who threaten us, while also ensuring our diplomatic and developmental efforts will be used in support of an effective and sensible transition of responsibilities for Afghan security and governance to the Afghan people.