Update on Afghanistan

The situation is growing worse with each passing hour. We now know that earlier today, two bombings occurred outside the Kabul airport gates. At least 12 U.S. Marines have been killed, 15 injured in these explosions, and thousands of Americans and allies remain in immediate danger. Biden must make clear that these attacks will not be tolerated and take action. There must be an immediate transition in the mission: No arbitrary deadlines, no excuses. We must do whatever it takes to ensure the safety of Americans and our allies, and Biden must make clear the United States does not negotiate with terrorists.

Several thousand American citizens and allies still remain in immediate danger as they await evacuation out of Afghanistan, and my office has been in communication with hundreds of folks and working with the State Department to get them to safety. If you know someone currently stranded, please contact my Augusta office immediately.

President Biden must take action; like many of you, I have been watching the chaos closely and have more questions than we have heard answers from the Biden Administration.

That’s why I joined many of my House and Senate colleagues demanding President Biden answer several urgent questions. Specifically, we asked about evacuation efforts, the arbitrary August 31st deadline, the rise of other terrorist groups in the region, ensuring the Taliban doesn't seize even more U.S. military equipment, processing refugees, and more. You can read the full letter here.

The exit of U.S. troops should have been conditions-based, like President Trump laid out. Unfortunately, the consequences of Biden’s lack of a strategic plan were entirely predictable and preventable, which is why this administration must be held accountable.

I understand the images coming out of Afghanistan are difficult for many of our post-9/11 veterans and please know you are not alone. If you need to talk to someone, the Veterans Crisis Line is available at 1-800-273-8255 & Press 1 or Text 838-255. Please be sure to also check on your veteran friends who may be having a difficult time.

Fighting For States’ Rights

This week House Democrats continued to jam through radical proposals to federalize our elections. Under the guise of updating the Voting Rights Act, they pushed H.R. 4 – another unprecedented power grab that would trample on states’ rights. The Constitution grants states the primary role over administering elections, not federal bureaucrats and the courts.

Further, H.R. 4 would give the Biden Administration the ability to veto states’ voter ID requirements and make it easier for partisan groups to sue states over commonsense measures to safeguard elections. The Democrats once again brought up this bill with no opportunity for amendment, which should alarm every American who wants free, fair and secure elections. I adamantly opposed this bill and will continue to fight for states’ rights.

Opposing Democrats’ Socialist Spending Agenda

Our nation is in crisis. Inflation is skyrocketing and small business owners are struggling to get employees back to work. Instead of focusing on the immediate crisis in Afghanistan, or working to get our economy back on track, this week House Democrats spent precious time to move forward with Biden’s $3.5 trillion tax and spending spree that is riddled with radical, socialist policies.

Some of the worst provisions in the resolution include directing committees to provide amnesty to illegal immigrants, eliminate states’ right-to-work protections, subsidize blue state taxes for the wealthy, expand government-controlled health care, and much more.

Not only are we burdening our children, and children’s children, with the highest sustained federal spending levels in American history, but in the near term this spending spree will kill American jobs and worsen the ongoing economic crisis. This was the first step in a process known as budget reconciliation, directing committees of jurisdiction to work on their portions of the legislation, and a final vote on the compiled bill is expected at a later date.

Please know I will fight against wasteful Washington spending throughout this process.

Supreme Court Reinstates Trump’s Remain in Mexico Policy

The crisis at our Southern Border remains at record levels and the Biden Administration continues to refuse enforcing our immigration laws. However, we did receive some encouraging news out of the Supreme Court this week as they ruled to reinstate the Trump-era Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP). Also known as “Remain in Mexico,” this policy ensures a safer, more orderly process for processing asylum claims while discouraging individuals from illegally entering or making false claims.

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Sincerely,

Rick Allen
Member of Congress