BAINBRIDGE, OH – Today, Congressman Dave Joyce (OH-14) issued the following statement in response to the rapidly deteriorating situation in Afghanistan:

“The Taliban’s rapid recapture of Afghanistan represents a multitude of threats, both immediate and far-reaching,” said Joyce. “It’s hard to comprehend that we had the capacity to avoid this humanitarian and security disaster by facilitating a responsible withdrawal, but instead, the President’s decisions have left U.S. citizens as well as our Afghan partners fearing for their lives amid a mad scramble to evacuate. I am both infuriated and heartbroken for these men and women.

“The redeployment of U.S. troops to safely evacuate our embassy reflects the Biden Administration’s negligence and severe lack of understanding of the situation on the ground. There will be ample time to debate the failures of the last 20 years, which span many administrations and Congresses, but right now we must focus on bringing our citizens home safely and protecting the Afghans who risked their lives to come to the aid of our great nation.

“Tragically, even if we succeed in that mission, the failed American leadership seen today has had innumerable and unnecessary costs and will be remembered for years to come by our allies and our enemies. The world is watching.”

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