“Today it is important to remember and thank all of our brave servicemen and women who served in Afghanistan over the last 20 years. The service and sacrifice of these brave men and women will never be forgotten, and our nation will forever owe them and their families a debt of gratitude. I remain committed to fully funding VA programs and making sure that all of our veterans receive the care and benefits that they have earned.”
“Last month I proudly voted in support of the ALLIES Act, which is providing resources to expand and expedite the Special Immigrant Visa program to ensure safety for those who assisted our troops overseas. The United States must continue to work on the safe and speedy evacuation of U.S. personnel and of our allies in Afghanistan, particularly given the Taliban’s recent takeover of Kabul.”
“In November 2019, I was fortunate to visit Kabul and Bagram Air Base on a Congressional trip over the Thanksgiving holiday to meet with American troops stationed in Afghanistan. It was a deeply humbling and eye-opening experience, and I think often about the Afghan women and girls I met during my trip and how they inspired me. The future for women in Afghanistan is now incredibly uncertain. I join the calls of many women's advocacy organizations to find a way to protect women, who have an important role in shaping the future of Afghanistan in the years to come.”
Original source can be found here.
