Washington, D.C. - Rep. Van Duyne issued the following statement after President Biden addressed the nation this afternoon. 

“The president claims he stands by his decision, yet it is the Afghan people, American citizens, and our allies who are facing the consequences of his inept leadership," said Rep. Van Duyne. " Because of this administration's failures, our national security is threatened, terrorist groups have been empowered, and the U.S. has been weakened on the international stage. The president is correct that 'the buck stops with him,' which is why I am taking steps to hold him and his administration accountable."

President Biden's disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan led to the swift Taliban takeover of the Afghan government. As a result, thousands of American citizens and applicants for the Special Immigrant Visa program are left with hollow directives to "shelter in place" and "wait for further instructions." After hearing from veterans and family members of those left in Afghanistan, Rep. Van Duyne asked the following questions in a letter to Secretary Blinken:

1. What is the strategy for safely removing our citizens and Special Immigrant Visas applicants?
2. How are we processing Special Immigrant Visas through Operation Allies Refuge to ensure the most efficiency?
3. How does the State Department plan to communicate instruction with those in country and what is being done to help them find a safe location to shelter in place?

" Secretary Blinken, after your administration's reckless withdrawal and failure to uphold the Afghan government, our citizens and allies do not have time to wait amidst the evil regime now in place," said Rep. Van Duyne. "The last few days have been a colossal failure on President Biden's part. He must display an immediate sense of urgency to return our people home and clean up the mess he has created." 

Read the entire text of the letter HERE.