WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville) recently returned from a Congressional Delegation trip over the Thanksgiving recess that included a visit with Alabama troops currently serving in Afghanistan.

“Meeting with our military commanders and the troops in Afghanistan was a highlight of the trip. It further reinforced my opinion on the importance of our mission in Afghanistan and the ongoing operations against Al-Qaeda in the region,” Congressman Aderholt stated.

The trip also included stops in the African nations of Mauritania, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, and Ethiopia to discuss African issues as well as the U.S. military’s Africa Command (AFRICOM). Following the visit to Afghanistan, Congressman Aderholt and the other members of the delegation concluded their trip with visits to Poland and Czech Republic in Eastern Europe where they attended meetings on Missile Defense negotiations in Europe and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

Congressman Aderholt added, “Having had the opportunity to visit our troops where they are on the ground and seeing what they endure on a daily basis is enough to make your head spin. It’s absolutely unfathomable to me that Congress can’t get its act together and pass a clean funding bill that will help the men and women in the field do the job that we’ve asked them to do.”

President Bush has requested supplemental war funding to continue ongoing military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. To date, Democrat leadership in Congress has refused to pass war funding that doesn’t call for troop withdrawals or other restrictions on the President’s ability to deploy troops in his role as Commander-in-Chief. As a result of this non-action, the Pentagon has been forced to borrow money from other defense programs already funded. Such action the Pentagon has stated could lead to the furloughing of civilians in military jobs and the closing of facilities such as child care centers and counselor services for returning soldiers and their families.

“While the troops I talked to would all like to return home to Alabama, they understand the mission in Afghanistan. The moral of the troops was positive and while there is much to do in the region, they feel we are making a difference. They believe in the mission and are committed to doing their duty. Congress should do theirs and support these brave men and women,” concluded Congressman Aderholt.