Democrats split over Afghanistan exit demands

House Democrats found themselves at odds with each other Thursday over an amendment demanding the Obama administration produce an exit strategy for the war in Afghanistan, as the House neared passage of a $680.4 billion fiscal 2010 defense authorization bill that sets Pentagon policy and prescribes funding levels.

The amendment failed 278-138.

The amendment dividing the Democrats, sponsored by Rep. James McGovern, D-Mass., had support from anti-war advocates and self-proclaimed progressives and a handful of Republicans who want the administration to better articulate to lawmakers and the American public its long-term strategy in Afghanistan.

"A military strategy that has no exit is no strategy at all," McGovern said Thursday.

But the amendment drew stiff opposition from two key Democrats - House Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton, D-Mo., and House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Howard Berman, D-Calif.

Skelton argued that the military's new commander in Iraq, Army Gen. Stanley McChrystal, should be given time to execute the new strategy, which includes beefing up U.S. forces in Afghanistan by 21,000 troops, before devising an exit plan.

"History shows that new commanders make a big difference," Skelton said. "Let's give General McChrystal the opportunity to show what American troops, American civilians, the State Department and others can do."

Berman added that passage of the amendment would "raise questions about our commitment to the Afghan people and complicate our efforts to help them create a stable and secure nation."

Meanwhile, lawmakers agreed to language that would prohibit the establishment of permanent military bases in Afghanistan, as well as another amendment that requires information on agreements with International Security Assistance Force countries in Afghanistan concerning goals, strategies, and resource and force requirements and commitments.

The House approved several other noncontroversial amendments Thursday, including language prohibiting the military from recruiting, enlisting or retaining people associated with "hate-related violence."

The chamber also approved an amendment from Rep. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., that requires the Defense Department to report to Congress on whether contracts for earmarks in the fiscal 2008 Defense appropriations bill were awarded through competitive bidding.

In addition, the House passed an amendment from House Armed Services Strategic Forces Subcommittee ranking member Michael Turner, R-Ohio, that imposes conditions on efforts to reduce U.S. strategic nuclear forces.

Under the amendment, funds could not be spent until President Obama certifies that a new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty with Russia does not reduce or limit U.S. ballistic missile defenses or space capabilities and that the National Nuclear Security Administration's budget is sufficiently funded.