Email from Rep. McCaul Holding Secretary Blinken Accountable for His Role in the Catastrophic Afghanistan Withdrawal This September, I released a comprehensive, 353-page investigative report into the Biden-Harris administration’s disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan. The botched withdrawal damaged America’s global reputation, emboldened our adversaries, and tragically led to the death of 13 brave U.S. servicemembers. Finally, after three years, numerous subpoenas, and facing contempt of Congress, Secretary Blinken appeared before my committee this week. Secretary Blinken repeatedly stated that this was a false and partisan report, but during my hearing, he admitted he never read my report. What’s partisan is claiming something is false without having read it simply because it does not advance your political agenda. At my hearing, the secretary callously claimed the Biden-Harris administration’s withdrawal from Afghanistan made our nation safer. Nothing could be further from the truth. Secretary Blinken’s negligence was only the beginning of a failed foreign policy that lit the world on fire. His failures and President Biden’s weakness led to Putin invading Ukraine, Chairman Xi’s increasing aggression in the South China Sea, and the Ayatollah rearing his ugly head in the Middle East. I’ve dedicated my tenure as chairman of this important committee to this critical issue. The American people, U.S. servicemembers, veterans, and most importantly, our Gold Star Families deserved answers, and it was high time Secretary Blinken answered for the disastrous withdrawal. Click below to watch my opening remarks: Click to watch As captain of the ship, Secretary Blinken should have taken accountability for his failures during the Biden-Harris administration’s deadly withdrawal, but he refused. He ignored desperate cries for help that his employees sent in a dissent channel cable warning that Kabul would collapse. To make matters worse, Secretary Blinken’s embassy in Kabul left behind hundreds of Americans, classified documents, armored vehicles, and weapons in their frantic evacuation. Secretary Blinken claimed he was not aware of this, but his own Inspector General confirmed it. Secretary Blinken ignored all warnings and failed to plan. Click below to watch my questioning of Secretary Blinken about his failures, including what was left behind in Afghanistan: Click to watch Honoring the Sacrifices of our Nation’s Heroes at the 80th Anniversary of Battle of the Bulge This week, thousands will gather to commemorate the valor and sacrifices of the U.S. soldiers who fought in the bitter cold during one of the greatest American battles of World War II, the Battle of the Bulge. I have the honor of leading a Congressional Delegation to Belgium and Luxembourg on behalf of Speaker of the House Mike Johnson. The memory of the Battle of the Bulge reinforces the moral clarity of defending freedom at all costs. My father served as a bombardier on a B-17 and fought to eradicate evil; we must never forget the sacrifices of the Greatest Generation. This battle serves as a reminder that freedom is never free, and democracies around the world must rally together when it is threatened. I am proud to lead this bipartisan trip to honor our brave heroes and reaffirm America’s commitment to protecting the freedoms they fought for. Read more here. Rep. McCaul in Bastogne with American veterans who fought in the Battle of the Bulge Supporting U.S. Servicemembers and Voting to Restore DoD Lethality The world is on fire, our adversaries are on the move, and the United States cannot afford to fall behind. This week, I was proud to support the Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement Act and the National Defense Authorization Act. This vital piece of legislation enables military activities and strengthens national security. House Republicans are committed to restoring the focus of our military back to lethality, giving our warfighters the tools they need to combat our adversaries, and counter the increased aggression of the Unholy Alliance. But most importantly, this bill improves the quality of life for our brave men and women in uniform. It authorizes a pay raise, improves housing, and provides improved healthcare to ensure our heroes and their spouses have access to the resources they have earned. There were many other conservative victories in this year’s NDAA, which: Authorizes a 14.5% pay raise for junior enlisted servicemembers and supports a 4.5% pay raise for all other servicemembers; Constructs new housing and childcare facilities for military families; Expands access to medical care, including mental health providers for servicemembers; Restores the focus of our military on lethality by ending radical Democrat policies, strengthening the United States defense industrial base, and supporting innovation; Deters the Chinese Communist Party by providing resources in the Indo-Pacific, preventing Chinese espionage, and supporting Taiwan; Defends our ally Israel by supporting it with the weapons it needs to counter Iran-backed terrorist groups; Secures our southern border by supporting law enforcement operations; and Cuts wasteful spending within the Department of Defense, saving taxpayer dollars.  This bill sends a clear message that our nation remains strong and will not back down in the face of aggression. Read more here. ICYMI: McCaul in the News National Review: Antony Blinken Claims Disastrous Afghanistan Withdrawal Strengthened U.S. on World Stage Read here The Washington Free Beacon: Tony Blinken Tells Congress ‘No One Anticipated’ Taliban Takeover of Afghanistan Read here Fox News: Biden admin extends $10B Iran sanctions waiver 2 days after Trump election win Read here Click here to view this email as a webpage. www.mccaul.house.gov Washington, D.C. 2300 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Phone: 202-225-2401 Fax: 202-225-5955 Austin 11614 FM 2244 Suite 160 Austin, TX 78738 Phone: (512) 770-8929 Fax: (512) 473-0514 College Station 175 Century Square Drive Suite 210 College Station, TX 77840 Phone: (979) 431-6480 Fax: (979) 431-5180 Rep. 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