Ernst Helps Lead Afghanistan Counterterrorism, Oversight, and Accountability Act

WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), a veteran of the Global War on Terrorism and a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, is helping to lead an effort to address the problems created by the Biden Administration’s disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan. The Afghanistan Counterterrorism, Oversight, and Accountability Act would sanction the Taliban and other leaders in Afghanistan for terrorism, request a review of foreign assistance to entities that support the Taliban, and establish a State Department task force to help rescue American citizens, legal permanent residents, and those with Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) who were left in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan by President Biden.

 

“Despite the Biden Administration’s best attempts to lead the American people to believe otherwise, the situation in Afghanistan continues to present a real threat to the United States. We still have Americans and allies behind Taliban lines, and our haphazard exit has only emboldened the terrorist regimes in the country. This effort will ensure the Administration is taking serious steps to help protect the safety of Americans and our Afghan partners, as well as hold the Taliban accountable for their nefarious actions,” said Senator Ernst.

 

Background:

Earlier this month, Ernst led her colleagues in calling on the Biden Administration to recognize the Taliban as a terrorist organization. Ernst also pressed the Biden Administration on details regarding the status and recovery methods of American citizens, green card holders, and Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) applicants in Afghanistan, including what measures the administration is taking to keep these people safe until they can get out of Afghanistan.

 

In a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing yesterday, Ernst pressed top Pentagon officials on President Biden’s decision to withdrawal and the impact on terrorist threats to the United States.