Senate Republicans introduce Afghanistan measure

U.S. Sens. John Barrasso (R-WY) and Jim Risch (R-ID) have joined 21 Senate colleagues in introducing a measure they said addresses concerns regarding Afghanistan’s leadership and accountability.

The Afghanistan Counterterrorism, Oversight, and Accountability Act would, among other provisions, form a State Department task force targeting the evacuation of American citizens, legal permanent residents and Afghan Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) remaining in Afghanistan; initiate counterterrorism strategies while assessing the disposition of Taliban-captured equipment; provides sanctions the Taliban and others in Afghanistan for terrorism, drug-trafficking and human rights abuses; and requires a review of foreign assistance to entities supporting the Taliban.

“President Biden left Americans stranded behind enemy lines, forfeited billions of dollars’ worth of American military equipment and abandoned our allies to the horrors of the Taliban,” Barrasso said. “Given the serious threats resulting from the administration’s disastrous decisions, Congress needs to quickly take action to protect the safety and security of our citizens and our nation. Our legislation prioritizes the evacuation of American citizens and our allies while holding the Taliban accountable through tough sanctions.”

The bill also said the United States should not recognize any member of the Taliban as the ambassador of Afghanistan to the United States or as the ambassador of Afghanistan to the United Nations.