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Floor Speech

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Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of en bloc amendment number one to H.R. 7900, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023.

This en bloc amendment includes Lynch amendment number 82 which requires the Secretary of Defense to develop a plan to reimburse our service members and veterans who expended personal funds to evacuate their former translators, interpreters, security contractors, pilots, and other Afghan allies out of the country. In developing this plan, the Secretary would be required to lay out clear eligibility criteria, and to consult with the Secretaries of State and Veterans' Affairs as well as representatives from non-governmental organizations with expertise in supporting the evacuation of our Afghan allies.

Mr. Speaker, it has been nearly one year since the U.S. officially withdrew its forces and diplomatic corps from Afghanistan. In that time, countless military and veteran volunteers have worked tirelessly to evacuate their Afghan colleagues and bring them to safety. These dedicated Americans have often spent significant personal funds, including maxing out credit cards and exhausting military pensions and life savings, to try to save the lives of those who fought and sacrificed alongside our forces, and who now face mortal danger under the Taliban regime. This amendment honors the dedication of these brave Americans who have shown an unwavering loyalty to those Afghans who worked with us.

I would like to extend my thanks to Armed Services Committee Chairman Adam Smith, Ranking Member Mike Rogers, and their staffs for including my amendment in this en bloc and would urge my colleagues on both sides to support it.

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