Jeff Bingaman United States Senator from New Mexico

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today issued the following statement, after President Obama's speech to the nation about U.S. troop withdrawal in Afghanistan:

"The president said tonight he will stick to his plan and begin withdrawing troops from Afghanistan in July. The 10,000 troops that will be withdrawn this year is a good start. I am glad the president announced the pace will accelerate next year when more than 20,000 additional troops will come home.

"The U.S. and NATO will complete the handover of responsibility for security to Afghan forces in 2014. The handover has already begun in several cities and provinces. This would have been impossible when President Obama took office in 2009, and it is evidence that progress that has been made. There will be ups and downs ahead, but I hope this progress continues so that U.S. troops can be withdrawn as quickly as possible."