Many Republicans oppose the Obama administration’s plans for a troop drawdown in July 2011, saying it is too soon and will be perceived as a lack of commitment to the war. Troop levels is the issue where the new Republican power is likely to flex its muscles on Afghanistan.
Sen. John McCain (R) of Arizona, who was handily reelected this year, has been vocal about his opposition to Obama’s plan to reduce the number of troops. As the ranking Republican member on the Senate Armed Services Committee, he is likely to lead efforts to derail that plan, Foreign Policy reports.
McCain will likely be joined from the House by Rep. Howard “Buck” McKeon (R) of California, currently the ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee.
