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Rep. Bill Johnson

Mr. Speaker, in my nearly 27 years in the United States Air Force, I learned that one of the most critical elements necessary to overcome a determined enemy is the element of surprise. Based on my experience and the proven battle-tested history of the many successful conflicts that our Nation has endured over the years, I must stand in opposition to House Concurrent Resolution 28.

Surprise is a tactical element best determined by field commanders based on battlefield conditions. As such, decisions on troop movements should be made by commanders in the field, not politicians in Washington. Should this bill pass, we give up the element of surprise, we break the trust and relationship we have built with the Afghan people and our allies, and the sacrifice of our young men and women in uniform would be meaningless if we simply walk away.

General Petraeus said, ``The Taliban and al Qaeda obviously would trumpet this as a victory, as a success. Needless to say, it would completely undermine everything that our troopers have fought so much for and sacrificed so much for.''

I urge my colleagues to vote ``no.''