WASHINGTON – House progressive leaders on Wednesday urged President Barack Obama to swiftly end the war in Afghanistan, capitalizing on a burst of new momentum to conclude the 10-year occupation after the killing of Osama bin Laden.

"In the wake of Osama Bin Laden’s death, now is the time to shift toward the swift, safe, and responsible withdrawal of U.S. troops and military contractors from Afghanistan," read a letter signed by House Progressive Caucus Co-Chairs Keith Ellison (D-MN) and Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), as well as CPC Peace & Security Task Force Co-Chairs Michael Honda (D-CA), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Maxine Waters (D-CA) and Lynn Woolsey (D-CA).

"We are hopeful that Osama Bin Laden's death will offer comfort to the families of the victims of unconscionable attacks on innocent life that have occurred throughout the world and on 9/11," they wrote, asking the president to support a "near-term and significant drawdown" of troops starting in July.