Porter going to Afghanistan, Pakistan

WASHINGTON -- As Republicans are gathered this week in Minnesota for their national convention, Rep. Jon Porter is heading in another direction.

Porter, R-Nev., departs from Washington today for an official trip to Afghanistan and Pakistan, he confirmed Tuesday.

Six House members led by Rep. Ellen Tauscher, D-Calif., will return on Monday, he said. The trip is being paid for by the House Armed Services Committee.

The group will travel to the Afghan capital of Kabul and to Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan.

Porter declined to provide a detailed itinerary, citing security reasons.

He said generally the lawmakers will meet with U.S. diplomatic and military officials and with representatives of the overseas governments.

It would be Porter's second trip to Central Asia, following a visit in December 2005.

The U.S. visitors on the latest trip plan to gather information in Afghanistan about the resurgent Taliban, how U.S. and NATO soldiers are responding, and whether more forces are needed, he said.

"There has been an increase in the frequency of attacks and the use of suicide bombings in the last two months," Porter said Tuesday. "We are seeing insurgents have better training, and they are adapting their techniques. We want to find out what we should be expecting."

Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., traveled to Afghanistan in early August as head of a Senate delegation. Afterward he said the military situation had improved but that U.S. generals need more resources.

The House trip was in the works when Porter announced early in August he would not be attending the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn., this week. Aide Matthew Leffingwell said Tuesday that Porter did not mention it at the time because he was uncertain what he could disclose.

Running for re-election in Nevada's 3rd Congressional District, Porter faces Democrat state Sen. Dina Titus in one of the most closely watched races in the nation.

"Our troops in the Middle East are serving admirably, and I hope the delegation will convey our support and gratitude for their bravery in service to our nation," Titus said in a statement Tuesday.

Porter said Tuesday he will not use video footage or photos from the trip in campaign materials later in the fall to bolster his standing as the incumbent.

"You will not see those in a campaign piece," he said.

Tauscher is chairwoman of a House Armed Services subcommittee. Others on the trip are Democrats Nancy Boyda of Kansas and Jim Cooper of Tennessee, and Republicans Tom Petri of Wisconsin and Dave Reichert of Washington state.

Like Porter, Reichert is involved in a tight re-election campaign.

Contact Stephens Washington Bureau Chief Steve Tetreault at stetreault@stephensmedia.com or 202-783-1760.