In 2009, Congresswoman Bachmann partially opposed President Obama's surge in 2009, stating that the President's reasons were incoherent and it appeared we were sending 30,000 troops to Afghanistan to train people on jobs programs and not to win wars.
In June of 2011, Congresswoman Bachmann spoke against the drawdown of those surge troops by urging the President to stay the course. She noted that the President rarely spoke of victory or winning the war.
Possible War Tax
In December of 2009, Congresswoman Bachmann appeared on Fox Business and discussed President Obama's plan to send additional troops to Afghanistan. In addition to opposing the possible tax, she states that the President's speech was incoherent and it seemed the US was sending 30,000 troops to Afghanistan to give the Afghanis job training.
Comments on Leadership Change
In June of 2010, Congresswoman Bachmann released a press statement on the change in leadership in Afghanistan from General McChrystal to General Petraeus.
Bachmann Statement on the Change of Leadership in Afghanistan
Washington, Jun 23, 2010 - U.S. Representative Michele Bachmann (MN-6) issued the following statment today after President Obama relieved General Stanley McChrystal of his duties as commander of U.S. and NATO troops in Afghanistan:
"We owe General McChrystal a deep debt of gratitude for his years of brave and faithful service to his country. Going forward, it’s imperative that we keep the safety and security of our country at the forefront of our nation’s priorities. I’m confident that once the Senate confirms the command of General David Petraeus, we will stay focused on our war against terrorism."
Contracts with Taliban
In October of 2010, Congresswoman Bachmann wrote an op-ed discussing contracts awarded to Afghanistan warlords, the Taliban, and spies.
Contracts Awarded to Afghanistan Taliban, Warlords and Spies Are Unacceptable Posted by: Michele Bachmann at 9:57 AM
In the midst of war, the safety of our servicemen and women must not be taken for granted. But for operations in Afghanistan, 26,000 thousand military contractors are relied upon, most of whom are local Afghanis. Unlike our uniformed troops these civilians have not sworn to protect our nation, so it is imperative that contracting companies ensure the qualifications of each individual hired to serve in crucial positions such as security guards for military outposts. Unfortunately, a new report reveals that some hires have included Taliban commanders, warlords and Iranian spies.
The Senate Armed Services Committee released a report yesterday cataloguing the “systemic failures” and lack of oversight in the contracting system in Afghanistan. ABC News describes how some companies tried to fulfill their contracts:
“In some cases, companies were awarded contracts though they had no ability to provide the services needed. In those cases, companies then quickly hired local nationals without proper vetting or security checks. The chaotic system left US facilities and personnel vulnerable to attack. The report found that some Afghan security guards simply walked off their posts at remote forward operating bases.
“In two specific cases, the report charges that ArmorGroup and a contracting company EODT, hired private security guards who worked for Taliban-connected warlords. According to the report, a US military official initially recommended that ArmorGroup hire the warlord to help provide guards to fulfill a contract. After US military officials at a Western Afghanistan airbase discovered that Afghan security guards were passing sensitive security and troop information to the Taliban, the guards were fired. Within days, the fired guards were hired by a second contractor to supply security at a second US facility just a few miles north, the report claims. EODT, the report alleges, had two Afghans on their payroll who were known to US military intelligence as Iranian agents.”
The Armed Services’ report raises two primary concerns: One, we are holding the American taxpayer liable to pay for these contracts when, in turn, the money is flowing to the Taliban commanders, warlords, and spies who were hired. And two, our troops’ lives are put at serious risk when those hired to protect their bases are working alongside our enemy. They are individuals whose allegiance is to a dangerous and anti-democratic ideal. They wish to see our mission thwarted and fail.
Our soldiers and our nation deserves better. If we are to finish our mission in Afghanistan successfully, these security contracts must be reviewed and every single individual tasked with protecting American lives must be properly vetted immediately.
Stay the Course
In June of 2011, Congresswoman Bachmann was interviewed by the Weekly Standard. When asked about the situation in Afghanistan, Congresswoman Bachmann stated that the US should stay the course.
On Afghanistan, I firmly believe that we are at a point where we've got to stay the course, and we've got to finish the job. Reports coming out of Helmand right now are positive. ... David Petraeus, who wrote the book on counterinsurgency and on the surge strategy, is successfully prosecuting the surge.
Now, President Obama has not told the story the way President Bush did. President Bush did let the country know where we were at, and I give him a lot of credit because when he was getting all sorts of invective pointed against him, he stood against the world for what he knew to be right in dealing with terrorism. And perhaps no other would have stood the way that he did. I give him great credit for that.
Now in Afghanistan, we are making great progress. We have to win southern Afghanistan, then we have to go on and win eastern Afghanistan. I believe that we will be victorious, and we'll end it. I understand why people are frustrated. I completely understand. But I do trust General Petraeus in that effort and in what he is doing over there. And I think that they are doing what we need to do.
Opposition to Troop Drawdown
On June 30, 2011 Congresswoman Bachmann was again interviewed by the Weekly Standard and spoke about President Obama's recent statements that he will begin to draw down troops from the surge in Afghanistan.
LIASSON: What about Afghanistan? Do you think the president is pulling out too fast? What would a President Bachmann do about Afghanistan?
BACHMANN: This was a major move on the part of President Obama. And clearly, it seems to me, the president said that this was a war of necessity in Afghanistan. Now it seems to be the politics of necessity. And it appears for President Obama that he is acting more on political strategy than military strategy. That's very concerning, because it also seems that this is more the Obama-Biden plan for early withdrawal, as opposed to the Petraeus plan. Gen. Petraeus, who's in charge of winning the war effort in Afghanistan, understands that we need to win the war on terror. We must never forget that 9/11 was hatched in the caves and the mountains of Afghanistan. The Taliban has a presence there. Al-Qaida has a presence there. We must defeat them in their backyard. And it's important that Gen. Petraeus and Gen. Allen have the resources that they need to be successful in southern Afghanistan and then also in eastern Afghanistan, so —
LIASSON: So you think he's pulling out too fast.
BACHMANN: I think that the president needs to follow what the advice is to be successful. Let me tell you this: as president of the United States, I would — knowing that we have a war hero like Gen. Petraeus — I would call Gen. Petraeus into my office. We would have a very short conversation. It would be something like this: It would be, "General, how quickly can we conclude the war in Afghanistan?" No. 2, "What do you need?" And I would, I would trust his judgment. He wrote the book on counterinsurgency. He turned around the war effort in Iraq. We need to trust him on Afghanistan. Simply because he's demonstrated results. With the resources he's had, he's demonstrated positive results, particularly in southern Afghanistan. But let's remember, if we pull out now, we could cause all of the advances we've made to collapse. And we have to remember, the greatest treasure we've expended in Afghanistan has been the blood of our soldiers. Not to mention the resources of the American people to be able to provide the assets required. So let's be as successful as we possibly can in Afghanistan. Let's not undermine those efforts — Gen. Allen's job is far more difficult now, I believe, because of President Obama's early withdrawal timeline.
CBS Foreign Policy Debate
On November 12, 2011 Congresswoman Bachmann participated in the CBS foreign policy debate. She was asked about the war in Afghanistan and the surge of troops there.
Scott Pelley: That is time. Thank you. Representative Bachmann, do you think the 30,000 surge troops in Afghanistan have made a difference, and if so, where?
Michele Bachmann: They absolutely have, but it's unfortunate, the request was made for 40,000 troops. President Obama dithered for approximately two months, when he should have given the full complement of 40,000 troops. When he gave 30,000 troops to the effort in Afghanistan, that meant that a decision had to be made. With 40,000 troops, they could have conducted the war going into the southern province in-- in Helmand and also going into the eastern province and dealing with the problem all at once and coming to victory that much sooner and bringing our troops home.
When 30,000 troops were given, then our troops did the very best that they could by going into the south and dealing in the Helmand Province. We actually have seen improvement down by Kandahar. That's a very good thing. And that's because of the brave actions by our men and women in that area. However, we have to recognize, now President Obama has made a very fatal decision in Afghanistan. He's made the decision that by next September, our troops will be withdrawn. If that is the case, how do we expect any of our allies to continue to work to-- with us? How can we even begin to seek the peace with the Hikani Network that are in the eastern regions. It's--
Various: Thank you. Thank you.
Voting Record
Removing Troops from Afghanistan
In March of 2011, the House voted on a resolution to require the removal of troops from Afghanistan pursuant to the War Powers Resolution. The measure failed 96-321. Michele Bachmann voted against the resolution to remove the troops from Afghanistan.
Michele Bachmann voted against the resolution to remove the troops from Afghanistan.
Sponsored and Cosponsored Legislation
This representative has not been identified as sponsoring or cosponsoring significant legislation related to this title.
