Owens votes no on troop pullout by year's end

WASHINGTON — Setting a deadline for withdrawing U.S. troops from Afghanistan is a "very bad" idea, Rep. William L. Owens said Thursday, rejecting a proposal by House Democrats' liberal wing to quickly end the combat mission in Afghanistan.

Mr. Owens, D-Plattsburgh, joined 98 other Democrats in voting against the proposal by Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio. A total of 85 Democrats and eight Republicans voted for it.

The final vote in the House was 321-93 against the measure, which would require complete troop withdrawal by the end of this year.

"It's a very bad strategic idea," Mr. Owens said in an interview. "It may well put our troops in harm's way."

The measure gained more votes than when Mr. Kucinich last proposed it, last year, reflecting growing unease in Congress about the cost and outlook of the war. Public opinion has also turned, the latest polling suggests.

But most lawmakers, as well as the Obama administration, say the U.S. troop surge is improving security and aiding U.S. efforts to train Afghan security forces. The administration continues to support a phased withdrawal beginning in July, with combat forces out by the end of next year, depending on conditions.

Mr. Owens said ground commanders are still collecting information to help make recommendations on withdrawal, something Gen. David H. Petreaus told the House Armed Services Committee this week. Mr. Owens is a member of the committee.

"It's a principled position he's taking," he said of Mr. Kucinich, "but I don't agree with it."