IIA 

116TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION S. J. RES. 12 

To withdraw all United States Armed Forces from Afghanistan, and for 

other purposes. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

MARCH 4, 2019 

Mr. PAUL (for himself and Mr. UDALL) introduced the following joint resolution; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations 

JOINT RESOLUTION 

To withdraw all United States Armed Forces from 

Afghanistan, and for other purposes. 

Whereas the Joint Resolution to authorize the use of United 

States Armed Forces against those responsible for the attacks launched against the United States (Public Law 

107–40) states, ‘‘That the President is authorized to use 

all necessary and appropriate force against those nations, 

organizations, or persons he determines planned, authorized, committed, or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001’’; 

Whereas since 2001, more than 3,002,635 men and women 

of the United States Armed Forces have deployed in support of the Global War on Terrorism, with more than 

1,400,000 of them deploying more than once, and these 


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Americans who volunteered in a time of war have served 

their country honorably and with distinction; 

Whereas in November 2009 there were fewer than 100 AlQaeda members remaining in Afghanistan; 

Whereas on May 2, 2011, Osama Bin Laden, the founder of 

Al-Qaeda, was killed by United States Armed Forces in 

Pakistan; 

Whereas United States Armed Forces have successfully routed Al-Qaeda from the battlefield in Afghanistan, thus fulfilling the original intent of Public Law 107–40 and the 

justification for the invasion of Afghanistan, but public 

support for United States continued presence in Afghanistan has waned in recent years; 

Whereas an October 2018 poll found that 57 percent of 

Americans, including 69 percent of United States veterans, believe that all United States troops should be removed from Afghanistan; and 

Whereas in June 2018, the Department of Defense reported, 

‘‘The al-Qa’ida threat to the United States and its allies 

and partners has decreased and the few remaining alQa’ida core members are focused on their own survival’’: 

Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives

2 of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 

3 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 

4 This joint resolution may be cited as the ‘‘American 

5 Forces Going Home After Noble Service Act’’ or the ‘‘AF6 GHAN Service Act’’. 


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1 SEC. 2. WITHDRAWAL OF UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES 

2 FROM AFGHANISTAN. 

3 (a) PLAN REQUIRED.—Not later than 45 days after 

4 the date of the enactment of this joint resolution, the Sec5 retary of Defense, or designee, in cooperation with the 

6 heads of all other relevant Federal agencies involved in 

7 the conflict in Afghanistan shall— 

8 (1)(A) formulate a plan for the orderly draw9 down and withdrawal of all soldiers, sailors, airmen, 

10 and Marines from Afghanistan who were involved in 

11 operations intended to provide security to the people 

12 of Afghanistan, including policing action, or military 

13 actions against paramilitary organizations inside Af14 ghanistan, excluding members of the military as15 signed to support United States embassies or con16 sulates, or intelligence operations authorized by Con17 gress; and 

18 (B) appear before the relevant congressional 

19 committees to explain the proposed implementation 

20 of the plan formulated under subparagraph (A); and 

21 (2)(A) formulate a framework for political rec22 onciliation and popular democratic elections inde23 pendent of United States involvement in Afghani24 stan, which may be used by the Government of Af25 ghanistan to ensure that any political party that 

26 meets the requirements under Article 35 of the ConVerDate Sep 11 2014 23:46 Mar 04, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\SJ12.IS SJ12

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1 stitution of Afghanistan is permitted to participate 

2 in general elections; and 

3 (B) appear before the relevant congressional 

4 committees to explain the proposed implementation 

5 of the framework formulated under subparagraph 

6 (A). 

7 (b) REMOVAL AND BONUSES.—Not later than 1 year 

8 after the date of the enactment of this joint resolution— 

9 (1) all United States Armed Forces in Afghani10 stan as of such date of enactment shall be with11 drawn and removed from Afghanistan; and 

12 (2) the Secretary of Defense shall provide all 

13 members of the United States Armed Forces who 

14 were deployed in support of the Global War on Ter15 ror with a $2,500 bonus to recognize that these 

16 Americans have served in the Global War On Ter17 rorism exclusively on a volunteer basis and to dem18 onstrate the heartfelt gratitude of our Nation. 

19 (c) REPEAL OF AUTHORIZATION FOR USE OF MILI20 TARY FORCE.—The Authorization for Use of Military 

21 Force (Public Law 107–40) is repealed effective on the 

22 earlier of— 

23 (1) the date that is 395 days after the date of 

24 the enactment of this joint resolution: or 


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1 (2) the date on which the Secretary of Defense 

2 certifies that all United States Armed Forces in3 volved in operations or military actions in Afghani4 stan (as described in subsection (a)(1)(A)) have de5 parted from Afghanistan. 

Æ 


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