Armed Services

Throughout her time in Congress, the Congresswoman has consistently advocated for the proper levels of security against enemies both domestic and foreign. Congresswoman McCarthy is committed to the protection of America’s interests and the men and women who carry out those interests.

Afghanistan

In 2013, President Obama announced that Afghan security forces would take the lead while our forces would move into a support role. This strategic shift would ultimately lead to the withdrawal of 34,000 additional troops over the next year, which our armed forces are on track to do by February 2014. Troop withdrawals are scheduled to continue through the end of 2014, the scheduled end of the United States combat operations in Afghanistan.

The United States is in the process of negotiating an agreement with the Afghan government focusing on training and equipping Afghan forces and counterterrorism efforts.  The Congresswoman is committed to the President’s plan in Afghanistan and will work closely with both her colleagues in Congress, as well as the Administration, regarding the United States’ efforts.

Iraq

The Congresswoman supported the drawdown and eventual end of combat operations in Iraq in August 2010.  She is committed to supporting Iraqi security forces and providing robust assistance to ensure a stable transition of power to Iraqis and the long-term security of the country.  About 100 American personnel remain in Iraq today working in the Office of Security Cooperation to ensure that purpose.

Syria

The civil war in Syria began during the Arab Spring, a series of protests against abusive regimes across the Middle East. President Bashar al-Assad’s regime has perpetrated unconscionable acts against its citizens, and the fighting over the last two years has been in response to his oppressive reign. Last year, Secretary of State John Kerry announced that the Assad regime had launched a deadly chemical attack on August, 21, 2013 that killed thousands of innocent Syrians, including hundreds of children. As a result of the civil war, millions of Syrian refugees have fled the country, causing an international humanitarian crisis and further destabilizing the region. The Congresswoman believes that the international community has a responsibility to ensure chemical weapons are not used against innocent populations or put into the hands of those who seek to cause harm against the United States and our allies.

Because of the threat of U.S. military force, there is a new possibility for a diplomatic solution.

On September 14, 2013, the United States and Russia announced an agreement that would lead to the elimination of Syria's chemical weapon stockpiles by mid-2014. In October 2013, the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons –United Nations Joint Mission destroyed all of Syria's declared chemical weapons manufacturing and mixing equipment. Secretary Kerry is working with the international community to help end this bloody conflict.  In January 2014, Syrian government officials and Syrian opposition attended a peace conference in Switzerland, along with diplomats from 40 countries, to discuss a political solution to the conflict. The Congresswoman will continue to closely monitor the situation in Syria as it develops.