Americans deserve the truth about the botched withdrawal from Afghanistan | News, Sports, Jobs

Families of U.S. service members who were killed during the evacuation from Kabul listen as House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul, R-Texas, speaks to reporters about his panel’s Afghanistan Report and the findings of its three-year investigation into the withdrawal U.S. from Afghanistan at the Capitol in Washington, Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

More than three years ago, the world watched in horror as President Biden — along with Vice President Harris and advisers on his national security team — orchestrated the botched and disorganized withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan. This colossal failure of leadership cost the lives of 13 brave members of the US military, depicted weakness on the global stage, and left behind more than $7 billion in US military equipment, which has since fallen into the hands of the Taliban. The whole operation was an embarrassment and a stain on the already poor record of the Biden-Harris administration.

After the catastrophic exit, we immediately called for a comprehensive investigation to get answers for the families of the fallen and to hold those at the highest levels of government accountable. Yet to date, President Biden, Vice President Harris and other key officials have relentlessly supported Congressional investigations and demands — leaving the American people in the dark about the deadliest attack in Afghanistan in more than a decade. That’s why House Republicans have made a strong commitment to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice and to uncover the truth about the botched withdrawal from Afghanistan.

On September 10 of this year, Congressional leadership posthumously awarded the 13 service members who tragically lost their lives during the chaotic withdrawal with the Congressional Gold Medal—the highest honor Congress can bestow. In August 2021, we co-sponsored legislation to ensure that these incredible heroes received the recognition of our entire nation, and I am happy to see this important recognition come to fruition.

The other week, I also helped introduce the No More Taxpayer Money for the Taliban Act in response to recent reports by the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction that nearly $3 billion in cash has been transferred from The United Nations in Afghanistan – which is now under Taliban control. This legislation puts in place barriers and strengthens oversight to prevent federal agencies from providing dollars to the United Nations for direct cash assistance in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. We cannot allow carelessness with taxpayer dollars to fund terrorism. There is no excuse for money to fall into the hands of the Taliban, and this legislation will promote rigorous oversight of our taxpayers and protect our national security.

The Biden-Harris administration’s reckless and deadly withdrawal from Afghanistan has emboldened terrorists and our foreign adversaries around the globe. We must continue to campaign for full transparency and a robust investigation into this botched evacuation that left 13 of our heroes dead and our allies stranded. For our entire country, and especially for the families and loved ones still dealing with unimaginable heartbreak, we have a responsibility and an obligation to get the facts and provide real answers – now.

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Randy Feenstra, a Republican from Hull, represents Iowa’s 4th district in the US House.