WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement today regarding the path forward in Afghanistan:

"Since 9/11, we have been at war in Afghanistan and it is now the longest war in our nation's history. Sending additional U.S. troops into Afghanistan is not a substitute for a sound strategy and won't get us anywhere new. It is long past time for the government of Afghanistan to shoulder their own defense. While America must be able to project a counter terrorism presence wherever terrorist groups like ISIS or Al Qaeda seek refuge, we can never and should never be the de-facto security services for Afghanistan, much less the world."