Durbin Statement On Afghanistan

Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin

08.16.21

SPRINGFIELD U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement today regarding the situation in Afghanistan:

“President Biden understands history when it comes to Afghanistan.  He made the difficult decision to not hand over this longest of American wars to a fifth president.  And had he walked away from the withdraw agreement originally negotiated by President Trump, Taliban attacks on U.S. forces would have restarted and required yet another surge in U.S. troops.  How long were Americans willing to continue this cycle, particularly if the Afghan government wasn’t willing to fight for its own future?

“This endless cost in American lives and taxpayer dollars was not sustainable.  And while good people can have honest debates about U.S. policy in Afghanistan, those who sat silently when Donald Trump pursued a hasty U.S. withdrawal and now cry howls of outrage reek of hypocrisy. 

“We must ensure we bring all Americans, including Mark Frerichs, safely home.  And we must also keep our commitment to help those Afghans who helped the U.S. effort to safely leave as well.” 

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