Today, America and the world observe a milestone of solemnity: the end of the twenty-year war in Afghanistan. I commend @POTUS for his steadfast leadership in ending a forever war. Too many men and women in uniform and their families have had to bear the burden of this conflict.
Congress joins @POTUS in solemn prayer for every life lost. We are united in prayer for the thirteen U.S. servicemembers killed last Thursday as they helped bring over 124,000 Americans, allies and Afghan partners to safety, an act of profound valor, selflessness and sacrifice.
As we honor the heroism of the fallen, we salute each member of our military, intelligence and diplomatic communities who conducted this evacuation, which is the largest and most successful airlift in U.S. history.
The Congress will continue to work closely with @POTUS and the Admin, as we are briefed regularly and work to address the security and humanitarian challenges that remain for evacuees and those who wish to be evacuated. We pray for the people of Afghanistan and in the region.
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#HispanicHeritageMonth offers a special opportunity to come together in celebration of our Latino communities, who have for generations blessed our nation with their remarkable talents, fierce patriotism and an entrepreneurial spirit.
During COVID-19, our nation has been grateful for the courageous service of so many Hispanic Americans on the frontlines. We also reflect on the challenges our Latino communities face, from unjust impacts of COVID-19 to decades of underinvestment to a broken immigration system.
Since our nation’s founding, Latinos and Latinas have played an integral role in the American story. From these extraordinary achievements we are reminded that our nation’s greatest strength is our unity, forged by our diversity.
For nearly three decades, the #ViolenceAgainstWomenAct has stood as one of our nation’s most powerful tools in the fight against sexual & domestic violence. This has been an invaluable force to rally the nation around protecting the safety, rights & dignity of women and girls.
Today, Americans celebrate the lives saved & the progress forged by this legislation, first championed by @POTUS during his service in the Senate. We also hold in our hearts the women lost to this horrific violence & their loved ones.
Yet there remains work to do. 1 in 3 women today have experienced sexual & domestic violence – with even higher rates for women of color & women from underserved communities. We must listen to the brave survivors sharing their stories & demanding we take action.
The Court’s cowardly decision to uphold a flagrantly unconstitutional assault on women’s rights and health is staggering. The House will bring up Congresswoman Judy Chu’s Women’s Health Protection Act to enshrine into law reproductive health care for all women across America.
Every woman has the constitutional right to basic health care. SB8 is the most extreme, dangerous abortion ban in half a century & its purpose is to destroy Roe v. Wade, and even refuses to make exceptions for cases of rape and incest. This ban necessitates codifying Roe v. Wade.
When the Supreme Court takes up its reproductive rights case this year, we urge it to uphold, as Justice Sotomayor wrote in her dissent, ‘its constitutional obligations to protect not only the rights of women, but also the sanctity of its precedents and of the rule of law.’
The United States House of Representatives strongly condemns the heinous terrorist attack outside Kabul airport. We mourn the loss of every innocent life taken, and we join every American in heartbreak over the deaths of the servicemembers killed.
Since the end of July, over 100,000 people have been evacuated from Afghanistan with assistance of the US military & allied forces. As we continue this process, Congress, on a bipartisan basis, remains deeply concerned about the security and humanitarian situation in Afghanistan.
As we work with the Biden Admin to bring stability to the situation, Congress must continue to be kept closely informed, which is why I have requested the Executive Branch continue to brief Members. Our Committees of Jurisdiction will continue to hold briefings on Afghanistan.
More than a century ago, after generations of marching and fighting, courageous suffragists finally won full and equal citizenship and representation in our democracy with the adoption of the 19th Amendment. We honor those who moved our nation closer toward full equality for all.
We also remember the many heroic women of color, too often unsung, who carried on the fight for decades more to overcome discrimination and injustice to win fair access to the ballot for every community.
Despite progress, women across the nation still face barriers to full equality: from shameful pay disparities to the unfair economic impacts of the pandemic to the brazen assault on the right to vote. At this moment, Democrats are committed to Building Back Better with Women.
It is with the deepest sadness and the greatest appreciation for his unsurpassed contributions to our country and society that we mourn the passing of Ambassador Hormel. We will dearly miss him in San Francisco, in our nation and around the world.
Jim made history as the first openly gay U.S. Ambassador, paving the way for a new generation of leaders and elevating the voices of LGBTQ voices in our foreign policy. He had the courage to be a pioneer & the patriotism to accept the challenge.
Paul and I are heartbroken at the loss of our friend. I was honored to officiate at the wedding of Jim and his dear husband Michael. May it be a comfort to his family that so many mourn their loss and pray for them at this sad time.