Merkley, Wyden, Lee, Paul: Senate odd bedfellows join on Afghanistan measure

[jct74]

Jeff Merkley, Ron Wyden, Mike Lee, Rand Paul: Senate odd bedfellows join on Afghanistan measure

By Jeff Mapes
November 20, 2013 at 8:53 AM

Oregon Sen. Jeff Merkley has formed another left-right coalition aimed at keeping the pressure on the Obama administration to continue winding down U.S. military involvement in Afghanistan.

Merkley and fellow Oregon Democrat Ron Wyden joined with moderate Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia and two of the chamber's most conservative Republicans -- Mike Lee of Utah and Rand Paul of Kentucky -- to introduce an amendment that would require the administration to win congressional approval of the security pact the U.S. is negotiating with Afghan leaders.

The odd-bedfellows coalition on Afghanistan is not new with Merkley. He's worked with Lee and Paul before on efforts to speed withdrawal of military forces from Afghanistan.

The new amendment was first reported on by The Nation magazine. Merkley sent this tweet out about the subject on Tuesday night:

402895720014815232

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read more:
http://www.oregonlive.com/mapes/index.ssf/2013/11/jeff_merkley_ron_wyden_mike_le.html

[jct74]

“After spending over a decade at war in Afghanistan, it is time to transition our troops home,” Senator Paul said. “This bipartisan amendment reinforces the fact that the president needs to consult the American people and their representatives in Congress before increasing our troop involvement in Afghanistan.”

http://www.merkley.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/?id=5e92bcf2-3613-40be-bdbf-c136efaece7e

[69360]

two of the chamber's most conservative Republicans -- Mike Lee of Utah and Rand Paul of Kentucky


It's good to see the press refer to them that way.

[rich34]

Gee, I wonder why Ted Cruz didn't sign on? Hell he's followed Rands steps on almost every other issue except in this case he's hoping to show the war wing of the party that he's tougher on defense than Rand. The day he announces his run for the White House imma gonna puke.

[RonPaulGeorge&Ringo]

The day he announces his run for the White House imma gonna puke.

Shouldn't he be announcing a run for Queen of Canada?

[libertarian101]

Well done Rand and all the participant.

[libertarian101]

Gee, I wonder why Ted Cruz didn't sign on? Hell he's followed Rands steps on almost every other issue except in this case he's hoping to show the war wing of the party that he's tougher on defense than Rand. The day he announces his run for the White House imma gonna puke. Why always pick on Cruz ? Cruz opposed Syria intervention two days before Rand, he stood for hours with Rand during Rand filibuster, he is against NDAA, he is against the fed, he is extremely against any kind of gun control. I agree Cruz had ugly moment like Chuck Hagel nomination but there is no need to pick on Cruz and attack him every time when the senate is full of people like McCain and Graham.

[eleganz]

Good stuff, the more bipartisan stuff Rand starts and finishes between now and 2015 will be of great benefit.

[anaconda]

This is the type of "bipartisanship" that we need.

[rich34]

Why always pick on Cruz ? Cruz opposed Syria intervention two days before Rand, he stood for hours with Rand during Rand filibuster, he is against NDAA, he is against the fed, he is extremely against any kind of gun control. I agree Cruz had ugly moment like Chuck Hagel nomination but there is no need to pick on Cruz and attack him every time when the senate is full of people like McCain and Graham.

All BS! Cruz wanted to send in 75000 troops to capture the chemical weapons. Don't tell me this, Cruz only changed his position after he saw how unpopular it was with the general public. He's a neocon plain and simple.