FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 15, 2011
CONTACT: Bridget Nolan , Outreach Coordinator, 202.546.0795, ext. 2113, bnolan@clw.org
Washington D.C.—Today Council for a Livable World hailed Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Tom Udall (D-NM) and Mike Lee (R-UT) for organizing 27 Senators to sign a letter that demands President Obama to order a “sizeable and sustained reduction of U.S Military forces in Afghanistan beginning in July 2011�
The 27 Senators include two Republicans Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) and Senator Lee.
The President is expected to make a decision on troop levels in coming days or weeks.
“This letter marks a significant increase in Senate opposition to a long-term military presence in Afghanistan,� said Council for a Livable World Executive Director John Isaacs. “We hope that members from both sides of the aisle will continue to voice their concern and call on President Obama to begin major reductions in July.�
With this July withdrawal deadline looming, the House and the Senate have been increasing pressure for a decision to be made on Afghanistan . Although the House vote on the amendment offered by Representatives Jim McGovern (D-MA) and Walter Jones (R-NC) failed narrowly (204-215), it did produce the most votes ever to end the war.
Isaacs continued, “The tide has changed and it is time for President Obama to listen to not only to Congress but the American people—who are ready to see a withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan.�
A recent Washington Post poll indicated that 73% of Americans want a significant troop withdrawal to begin next month.
###
