Luján Statement on the U.S. Withdrawal from Afghanistan

Nambé, N.M. – U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) issued the following statement on the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan: 

“A generation of Americans have never known an America not at war. Following a 20-year military presence in Afghanistan, our troops will return home alongside American citizens and many of the Afghan evacuees who stood with us over the past two decades. President Biden made a commitment to the American people that he would put an end to our longest war. Our troops, from the beginning of this war, served with honor and distinction.

“The United States owes a profound debt of gratitude to those who made the ultimate sacrifice and to their families. As the American people reflect on the past two decades, I am deeply grateful to the men and women who served in Afghanistan and to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice. A grateful nation honors your service and mourns our fallen.

“In just over two weeks, our men in women in uniform, the diplomatic corps, and intelligence professionals embarked on the largest airlift in U.S. history and safely evacuated more than 123,000 civilians. The administration must now fulfill its commitment to evacuate remaining Americans who wish to return home, as well as our Afghan partners who worked alongside the U.S. Mission, and provide humanitarian assistance for the people of Afghanistan through Non-Governmental organizations. The U.S. and our partners around the world will hold the Taliban accountable to allow for freedom of movement and human dignity of Afghans.”

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