Members of Congress make a Mother's Day trip to Afghanistan

By TONY PERRY

Four members of Congress - including two from Southern California - made an early Mother's Day trip last week to Afghanistan to talk with women serving there in the U.S. military, as well as Afghan women.

Rep. Susan Davis (D-San Diego) made her 10th trip to Afghanistan, including every Mother's Day trip since 2009. Rep. Norma Torres (D-Pomona) made her first trip to Afghanistan since being elected last year.

Davis and Torres delivered Mother's Day cards made by children in their districts. Joining them were Rep. Martha McSally (R-Ariz.) and Rep. Betty McCollum (D-Minn.).

The four discussed with female military members the challenges of being away from their children while forward deployed.

With the Afghan women, the U.S. officials talked about their hope that the Afghan national security forces will recruit more women.

Before leaving for the trip, Davis was able to get support from the House Armed Services Committee for $50 million in the defense budget to help the Afghan forces recruit and retain women. The amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act awaits a House vote.