Ohio Valley Congressional Delegation Largely Critical of How Biden Handled Afghanistan Withdrawal
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WHEELING -- Members of United States Congress in both West Virginia and Ohio have made their opinions known about Afghanistan falling to the Taliban in recent days as United States troops have withdrawn from the region. Many of them have laid the blame directly on the shoulders of President Joe Biden.
By Monday afternoon, the Taliban had swept into Afghanistan's capital of Kabul, as its government had collapsed and its president had fled.
Biden said Monday he stood behind the decision to withdraw troops and that the collapse of the country's government had happened quicker than anticipated.
Most of West Virginia's members of Congress have come out strongly in recent days against Biden's withdrawal plan.
U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito said on Twitter that Biden's moves have erased the gains made in Afghanistan over the last several years.
"Instead of a conditions-based withdrawal, President Biden opted for a hasty exit," the Republican Capito said. "His failed policies have created yet another dangerous and embarrassing crisis for the United States.
"I will continue to pray for the safety of every American who is evacuating, as well as the Afghans that have helped our American forces," added. "I am particularly concerned for the women and girls who were starting to enjoy their freedoms."
U.S. Rep. David McKinley also wondered about the future of women and children in that country. The Wheeling Republican posed several questions about the move on Twitter.
"(W)ill Sharia Law and Taliban Rule rigidly govern once again?" McKinley asked. "Will mammograms be rare, will girls be allowed to attend schools, will tribal law replace courts? Fate of schools, human rights and those who sought democracy?
"How do we reconcile American sacrifices of our men and women?" he continued. "Will the schools, hospitals and infrastructure be respected? Will this new regime be recognized by the global community? Will terrorism training and opioid production return? So many questions? This is so sad."
West Virginia's two other Republican members of Congress, Reps. Alex Mooney and Carol Miller, also slammed Biden for the way American troops were pulled out of the region.
"President Biden's July 8th comment that 'the likelihood there's going to be the Taliban overrunning everything and owning the whole country is highly unlikely' has been proven false," Mooney said on Twitter. "This is a sad day for America and her freedom loving allies around the world."
"President Biden promised us this wouldn't happen," Miller said on Twitter, "and then disappeared."
Sen. Joe Manchin, the lone Democrat in West Virginia's congressional delegation, focused his comments Sunday on Twitter on those who have served and now serve in the U.S. military.
"As we watch the events unfolding in Afghanistan, my prayers are with the families who lost a loved one serving our country," he said. "Those who have served have my deepest appreciation and utmost respect. We will never forget their sacrifices and will always be grateful for their service."
In Ohio, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, a Democrat, wanted to make sure evacuations were swift.
"I am extremely concerned about the safety and security of Americans on the ground, as well as Afghans who helped our country over the past two decades. We must do everything in our power to evacuate them to safety and provide refuge from the unfolding humanitarian crisis," Brown said.
Others in Ohio's congressional delegation were much more critical. U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson, R-Ohio, on Sunday laid the blame on Biden.
"More than 26 years in the Air Force taught me that leadership requires a full understanding of the threat and how circumstances may change based on perceived or anticipated military action. President Biden has completely failed this crucial leadership test and he needs to apologize and acknowledge his grave misstep," Johnson said.
U.S. Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, on Sunday also criticized Biden's decision. He said he did not agree with the president's move to withdraw from Afghanistan, saying any such decision should have been made based on conditions on the ground.
"It is wrong for the Biden administration to suggest that the events we are witnessing today are an inevitable outcome," Portman said. It is obvious there was no systematic plan for withdrawal. We provided 2,500 troops to serve in a train and assist mission, and when paired with forces from our NATO allies, provided a stabilizing force to the Afghan National Army.
"The fall of Afghanistan was preventable and will have lasting implications," he added. "Looking forward, the United States must re-engage with our allies and partners in the region to prepare for a coming refugee crisis as well as a renewed threat of international terrorism brought on by Al Qaeda and its affiliates. Afghanistan is now more likely to serve as a global launchpad for terrorism. I urge the president to be proactive in formulating a strategy for the fallout of this disastrous policy."