Washington, D.C. Council for a Livable World applauded the Senate vote today in favor of the Merkley amendment asking the President to accelerate the withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan.
The Senate approved the amendment by a voice vote in a surprising rebuke to those who want to stay in Afghanistan indefinitely â including Senator John McCain (R-AZ).
Clearly Senator McCain, who opposed the amendment, did not call for a roll call vote because he was not sure he could win.
John Isaacs, Executive Director of Council for a Livable World, said: "There is a rising tide in United States Senate and around the country to end U.S. combat in Afghanistan."
On May 27, 2010, only 18 Senators supported a Feingold (D-WI) amendment to require a plan for the safe, orderly, and expeditious redeployment of the United States Armed Forces from Afghanistan.
On June 15, 27 Senators signed a letter circulated by Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Mike Lee (R-UT) and Tom Udall (D-NM) urging President Obama to order a "sizable and sustained" withdrawal of troops.
Shortly afterwards, the President announced the withdrawal of 33,000 troops from Afghanistan, but said it would be three more years â the end of 2014 â before all combat troops came home. .
Today, a Senate majority by voice vote has said it is time to speed up the withdrawal timetable.
Isaacs continued, "All U.S. troops are coming out of Iraq by the end of 2011; it is time to bring our military forces out of Afghanistan as quickly and safely as possible."
