Your Action Can Help Change the Debate

In the next year, Congress could play an important role in determining the direction of U.S. policy in Afghanistan and in the broader region. We don’t know yet what actions the new Congress will take, but we know that members of Congress will have several opportunities in 2011 to influence U.S. policy.

February 2011: President’s budget and projections for future years signals the shape of U.S. policy in the region.

Spring 2011: First televised debate of Republican Party candidates for the 2012 presidential nomination takes place at the Reagan Library in California.

May-July 2011: Military authorization bill for Fiscal Year 2012 debated.

Summer 2011: Congress may hold hearings on the war as the president’s July 2011 deadline for beginning the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan approaches.

June-September 2011: Military appropriation bill for Fiscal Year 2012 debated.

August 2011: Iowa straw poll marks the start of the 2012 presidential election season.

Fall 2011: State and foreign operations appropriation bill for Fiscal Year 2012 debated.

Engage with Congress about the war in Afghanistan. Sign up at www.fcnl.org to receive email updates from FCNL so you can be up-to-date on strategies that will end the fighting, bring U.S. troops home, and support efforts by the Afghan people to rebuild their country. Encourage others to do so as well.