The publication is reproduced in full below:
BIDEN ``LETTERS'' ON AFGHANISTAN WITHDRAWAL: NEARLY ONE YEAR LATER
______
HON. JOE WILSON
of south carolina
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, August 16, 2022
Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, during his August 26th remarks regarding the 2021 terrorist attack at the Kabul, Afghanistan airport, where 13 American servicemembers were murdered, Biden was asked about the Afghanistan withdrawal and the addition of forces to protect Americans during the evacuation.
Biden responded that military leaders have contacted him, ``. . . usually by letter, saying they subscribe to the mission as designed . .
.''.
That evening, I sent the first of now five written requests to the White House asking for copies of these letters by a deadline of September 11. Nearly one year later, I am still waiting for a reply.
During an August 2021 House Armed Services Committee hearing, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Mark Milley and General Frank McKenzie, then the commander of the U.S. Central Command, both testified that they had recommended to Biden that he should leave a residual troop presence.
Additionally, in a closed Senate hearing, Operation Resolute Support Commander General Scott Miller testified that he opposed the Biden administration's decision to withdraw all U.S. forces, citing the threat posed by the Taliban.
The decision to withdraw U.S. forces from Afghanistan and abandon Americans regardless of the conditions on the ground, has been correctly identified by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell as ``one of the worst foreign policy decisions in American history.'' While President Donald Trump went a step further saying, ``This is the greatest embarrassment . . . in the history of our country.''
President Trump has made clear his withdrawal would have been orderly and Bagram Air Base would have been maintained to defeat a terrorist safe haven.
Sadly, no response from the White House reveals admission of no
`letters.'
It is also important to ask where the American media is on this critical issue of the claimed Afghanistan letters?
Ultimately, this ill-advised decision not only resulted in the death of U.S. servicemembers, but put the reputation and credibility of the U.S. in question, all while leaving the remaining American citizens in Afghanistan vulnerable.
The world is less safe with the Taliban regime emboldened.
In conclusion, God Bless our troops, who successfully protected America for 20 years, as the Global War on Terrorism continues moving from a safe haven in Afghanistan to America.
____________________
SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 168, No. 136
The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
Senators' salaries are historically higher than the median US income.
Alerts Sign-up