A Letter to House Republicans from Speaker McCarthy on the Anniversary of the Fall of Kabul

Press Release

"Colleagues,

On August 15, we mark the second anniversary of the fall of Kabul. By ceding Kabul to the Taliban, President Biden set off a chain of events that culminated in the death of 13 brave American service members, the loss of billions of dollars of military equipment, and the humiliation of America on the world stage.

Last week, at a gathering of the family members of all thirteen Gold Star families organized by Representative Darrell Issa, we heard from one of these Gold Star mothers, Kelly Barnett, about the impact of Biden's botched withdrawal on her family: "Confusion. Deceit. Lost. Angry. Sad. Heartbroken and disgusted. These are the feelings that the service members felt. And are still feeling," she said. "These are the feelings I'm feeling."

We owe it to Kelly Barnett, her fellow Gold Star Families, and all service members to get answers, deliver accountability, and ensure that this never happens again.

Since the withdrawal, House Republicans have used our constitutional tools of oversight and investigations to deliver accountability and uncover the truth.

Starting last Congress, Chairman McCaul published a report that proved "much of the deadly chaos during the evacuation from Afghanistan could have been prevented…"

Continuing into this year, House Republicans, spearheaded by Chairman McCaul, successfully fought for the July 2021 Dissent Channel cable on the Afghanistan withdrawal -- marking the first time the State Department has provided a dissent channel cable to Congress. Our Conference's oversight work on the withdrawal continues, and Chairman McCaul, Oversight and Accountability Subcommittee Chairman Mast, and other House Republican members will continue to ensure State Department cooperation with document productions and interviews of Department officials.

We've also held powerful hearings where we've heard from witnesses about the extent of malfeasance that occurred. Some of the most devastating testimony came from a Marine sergeant who was injured in the August 26th airport bombing. He said, "Plain and simple, we were ignored."

Our House Republican Majority will continue to provide answers and accountability, rebuild our nation's honor, and earn back the trust of the men and women willing to sacrifice everything to keep us safe. In the meantime, we have a responsibility to honor the fallen.

I hope you will join me in saying a prayer this week for all of the brave men and women, both in and out of uniform, who gave their lives in Afghanistan to keep our country safe and prevent another major terrorist attack from taking place on the homeland.

I will also be saying a prayer for everyone who was harmed by the botched Afghanistan withdrawal, including our translators, our diplomats, our service members, and the thirteen Gold Star families whose loved ones gave their lives to bring Americans home safely.

I'd like to close by sharing the words I am reminded of in the Gospel of John: 'There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends.'"

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