Jeff Miller Backs Troops Staying in Afghanistan Past 2016

With President Barack Obama announcing on Thursday that American troops will stay in Afghanistan beyond 2016, U.S. Rep. Jeff Miller, R-Fla., backed the decision but called for the White House to back the GOP’s Defense appropriations bill. 

 “While I feel it is appropriate for the president to consider maintaining a U.S. presence in Afghanistan, I find it hypocritical that he would make such an announcement while at the same time posturing to veto the bipartisan Defense bill that authorizes the funds for the pay and benefits for our military men and women and their families,” Miller said. “As a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, I have maintained that a complete troop withdrawal from the unstable regions of Afghanistan was a bad idea.   President Obama telegraphing the date certain of the withdrawal to our enemies was even worse.

“ Now that President Obama has reconsidered his policy in Afghanistan, I hope he will reconsider his opposition to the Defense Bill that overwhelmingly passed the House and Senate and would authorize pay for those who wear the uniform,” Miller added.