WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC), released the following statement on the current situation in Afghanistan:
“I want to start by expressing my gratitude to the hundreds of thousands of U.S. troops who have bravely served in Afghanistan – including members of the Nevada National Guard – and their families, who have sacrificed so much,” said Senator Rosen. “I am horrified by the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan and deeply concerned for the well-being of the Afghan people, particularly women and girls in the country. Our number one priority must continue to be the immediate evacuation of American citizens, embassy personnel, and their families, in addition to the brave Afghan citizens who have provided critical support to our mission over the past two decades. We cannot abandon them during their darkest hour.”
“My colleagues and I have been briefed on this developing situation by Secretaries Austin and Blinken, along with General Milley,” Senator Rosen continued. “When we are sure Americans and our Afghan partners are safe, Congress and the Administration must work together to assess why we did not anticipate that the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces would prove so ineffective in holding off the Taliban and why our plans to safely evacuate embassy personnel, Afghan translators, and others did not account for the rapid Taliban takeover of Kabul. For now, though, we must focus on the mission at hand and limit further loss of life.”
“As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I will continue to monitor the situation on the ground, and I stand ready to help provide the Administration and our troops whatever resources are needed to save the lives of U.S. diplomatic and military personnel and their families, rescue our Afghan allies, and ensure the safety of Afghan women and girls.” Senator Rosen concluded.
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