With new legislation aimed at holding President Biden’s State Department accountable, House Republicans are seeking tighter monitoring of the disastrous Afghanistan pullout, Fox News informed.
Reps. Young Kim of California, Elise Stefanik of New York, and Michael McCaul of Texas are presenting the RESCUES Act, which would give Congress additional control over the supervision of private Afghan evacuating operations.
The RESCUES (Rescue Endangered SIVs and Civilians and Urgently Evacuate to Safety) Act of 2022 is aimed at continuing attempts to evacuate American citizens and Afghan allies from Taliban-controlled Afghanistan.
The measure would mandate that the secretary of state provide a report to the House and Senate foreign affairs committees on “money provided by the Department of State to nongovernmental organizations for the purpose of removing covered individuals from Afghanistan.”
A “covered individual,” according to the bill text, is a US citizen, a lawful permanent resident, an Afghan who has a special immigrant visa or has sought for one, or an Afghan national being processed via the US Refugee Admissions Program.
Thirteen American service members were killed in the chaotic and deadly escape from Kabul airport.
By August 31, the Biden administration had put an end to military-led evacuations, bringing the 20-year war to a close.
However, not everyone was able to leave in time, and private organizations and congressional offices have attempted to fill the hole.
The State Department was tracking 126 Americans still in Afghanistan in November, according to the Wall Street Journal editorial board, with five set to depart.
The administration’s lack of transparency and precise information on the fate of individuals left behind has irritated Capitol Hill.
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