U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs
06/28/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 06/28/2024 15:39
Chairman McCaul Speaks on the House Floor in Support of the Fallen Soldiers in Afghanistan
Media Contact 202-226-8467
Washington, D.C. - Today, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul delivered remarks on the House Floor honoring the sacrifice of the 13 U.S. servicemembers killed as a result of the Biden administration's disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan. During last night's presidential debate, President Joe Biden lied, claiming to be the only president in the last decade without any U.S. servicemembers dying under his watch. During his remarks, Chairman McCaul corrected this falsehood, naming the 13 servicemembers killed in the Abbey Gate terrorist attack.
- Remarks as delivered -
Like millions of Americans last night, I watched the presidential debate.
And much of what I heard from President Biden was disappointing.
But one statement in particular made me angry. And I know it angered our veterans, it angered the American people - and especially - it angered the Gold Star families.
President Biden said last night, "Truth is I'm the only president this century that doesn't have any - this decade - that didn't have any troops dying anywhere in the world, like [President Trump] did."
That is a lie, Mr. President.
I'd like to remind President Biden of the 13 servicemembers that died on his watch during a terrorist attack at Abbey Gate on August 26, 2021, during his deadly and chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Their names are: Marine Lance Corporal David Lee Espinoza, Marine Sergeant Nicole Gee, Marine Staff Sergeant Taylor Hoover, Army Staff Sergeant Ryan Knauss, Marine Corporal Hunter Lopez, Marine Lance Corporal Rylee McCollum, Marine Lance Corporal Dylan R. Merola, Marine Lance Corporal Kareem Nikoui, Marine Sergeant Johanny Rosario Pichardo, Marine Corporal Humberto Sanchez, Marine Lance Corporal Jared Schmitz, Navy Hospitalman Maxton (Max) Soviak, and Marine Corporal Daegan William-Tyler Page.
And there they are, the fallen, who were killed and blown [up] by a suicide bomber - who, by the way - escaped from Bagram Airbase, as thousands of other ISIS-K terrorists did that day.
And God knows where they are now, threatening the security of the United States.
It was the deadliest day for the United States in Afghanistan in over a decade, Mr. President.
And it will remain a stain on America and American foreign policy for generations. And it happened under Joe Biden's watch.
Shame on him. Shame on him for his heartless comments that disregard the ultimate sacrifice of so many Americans under his tenure as Commander-in-Chief.
So, to the fallen heroes, I say, "Well done good and faithful servants. And may God hold you in the palm of his hands."
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