Over the course of two decades, our active duty men and women in the U.S. armed forces diminished the al-Qaeda threat to our nation and worked to promote democracy in Afghanistan.

I am forever grateful for the sacrifices made to keep Americans safe in the fight against terrorism abroad. The American people do not want to see more lives and resources lost to endless war; however, the news coming out of Afghanistan is heartbreaking, and cause for swift action.

I urge Congress and the Biden Administration to come together and do all we can to ensure the safe extraction of U.S. nationals, our allies, and Afghan civilians who supported our counterterrorism mission. The goal right now is to get all of them to safety.

This has been a painful week for all of us, but particularly for our veterans and their families. I believe it is the U.S. government’s responsibility, in light of their service, to use all the tools it has to protect our allies who risked their lives for us in the region, protect Afghans’ human rights -- especially women and girls -- and bolster our intelligence to ensure Afghanistan does not become a significant source of terror again.

I am just as concerned as you are about the humanitarian crisis unfolding before our eyes, and in the coming hours and days, I urge my colleagues and the Biden Administration to prioritize the safety of Americans and Afghan allies in the region as this withdrawal continues.

Thank you,

Matt Cartwright