Raleigh, North Carolina. - Today, Congresswoman Deborah Ross (NC-02) released the following statement on the unfolding situation in Afghanistan:

“It is incredibly disheartening to see the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan and the desperate scenes at the airport in Kabul following the Taliban takeover. At this precarious moment, I fear for the safety of the countless Afghans who risked their lives to support our forces and to help forge a brighter future for their nation. Now, as always, I am also immensely grateful for the courage of our brave servicemen and women – especially those from North Carolina – who sacrificed so much in Afghanistan over the past two decades. 

“American troops and diplomats worked tirelessly under trying conditions to build a capable and effective Afghan government. Their efforts provided ordinary Afghans, including women and girls, with unprecedented security, economic opportunity, and hope for the future. However, after spending twenty years and a trillion dollars in Afghanistan, American troops are coming home. 

“We know that the withdrawal of our troops and evacuation of our Afghan allies should have been more carefully planned and executed to minimize instability and protect those Afghans whose lives are now in peril. Following that failure, our task and our moral responsibility is clear -- to safely evacuate and settle as many Afghans as possible who aided our troops, worked with Western NGO’s, or otherwise fear for their safety under Taliban control.”    

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