FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Rep. Mark Green Delivers the Republican Address on the Crisis in Afghanistan
WASHINGTON—Today, Rep. Mark Green delivered this week's Republican Address on the Biden Administration’s disgraceful withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Transcript below:
“Hello, I’m Congressman Mark Green. I represent the 7th District of Tennessee and I’m proud to deliver this week’s Republican Address.
“President Biden’s catastrophic withdrawal from Afghanistan is a disgrace that has now resulted in the tragic loss of American lives. Our prayers are with the families and loved ones of these heroes. Our so-called Commander in Chief is abandoning Americans, our Afghan allies, and members of NATO who only came to Afghanistan to help us. We are in a crisis of leadership—President Biden has failed.
“Joe Biden’s arbitrary August 31st deadline must be extended until the mission is complete. In war, we make a commitment to leave no one behind. Pulling our troops out of Afghanistan before every American citizen is out goes against every fiber of America’s national character. This is shameful.
“After Thursday’s terrorist attack, it’s clear—we are leaving Afghanistan worse off. Today the Taliban controls more of Afghanistan than they did twenty years ago and now they have billions worth of U.S. weapons systems. Their rule will once again make Afghanistan a haven for terrorists.
“I served in the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment as a flight surgeon. I deployed to Afghanistan and witnessed the bravery of the Afghan Security Forces—so many of whom gave their lives fighting for a free Afghanistan. I treated these guys on the battlefield, I held them in my arms as they bled. This is deeply personal to me.
“I am utterly disgusted that President Biden would blame these brave warriors for the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan rather than his botched withdrawal. They have carried the ground fight for the past several years. They are brave, but they felt abandoned by President Biden. And who can blame them?
“When I heard that the Biden administration had abandoned Bagram airfield in the middle of the night without telling our Afghan allies, I was shocked. This was a gut punch to our Afghan allies and it took the fight right out of them. This is not how to treat those who have fought by our side for twenty years. As for our NATO allies they are imploring us to stay longer to protect their withdrawal. Biden has refused.
“I have seen my brothers and sisters in arms laying in flag-draped coffins. They sacrificed their lives in Afghanistan to protect Americans here at home. Now the Biden administration’s bad planning is putting more of our men and women in uniform at risk. And his decision to leave Americans behind to satisfy the Taliban’s redline is weak and feckless. This lack of leadership is despicable and will only embolden our enemies.
“As Americans, we must put duty, honor, and country over a political agenda. And we must leave no one behind.”
Watch Rep. Green's address here.
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