On August 26, Rep. Matt Van Epps (R‑TN), a former Army aviator who served ten years on active duty and in the Tennessee Army National Guard, introduced a resolution marking the fifth anniversary of the tragic bombing at Hamid Karzai International Airport’s Abbey Gate in Kabul. The resolution honors the 13 U.S. service members who lost their lives and the more than 100 Afghan civilians killed in the attack.
Personal Connection Fuels Congressional Action
Van Epps said he “vividly” remembers the chaotic days of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021. He recalled a conversation with a former state‑government boss who asked, “Are you OK?” – a question he answered honestly, noting his deep frustration. The former aviator explained that many of his former colleagues, both civilian and active‑duty, shared the same sense of disappointment over a withdrawal that, in their view, lacked a solid plan.
Two close friends of Van Epps were on the ground in Kabul during the evacuation. He praised their heroic effort, noting they “should never have been put in that situation to begin with.” Those personal ties, he said, helped shape his resolve to ensure the nation remembers the sacrifice of the fallen.
Resolution Highlights Accountability
The resolution’s language emphasizes two points. First, it commemorates the 13 service members who made the ultimate sacrifice at Abbey Gate. Second, it asserts that the Biden‑Harris administration “absolutely failed” to execute a responsible withdrawal, describing the outcome as an “abject failure.” Van Epps argues that the administration ignored the Doha agreement negotiated by the previous administration, missed warning signs of the Taliban’s rapid advance, and prioritized optics over operational effectiveness.
While the resolution does not assign legislative penalties, it serves as a formal congressional record of the event and a reminder to the American people of what Van Epps and his fellow veterans view as a missed opportunity to protect U.S. allies and service members.
Context of the Afghanistan Withdrawal
The withdrawal was originally set forth in the February 2020 agreement between the United States and the Taliban, which called for a phased pull‑out over 14 months. President Donald Trump’s administration negotiated the deal, and the Biden‑Harris administration later carried out the final exit. Critics, including Van Epps, contend that the later administration failed to enforce the agreement’s conditions, leading to a rapid Taliban takeover and the chaotic evacuation at Kabul’s airport.
Democratic lawmakers have largely defended the Biden‑Harris administration, arguing that the withdrawal honored the prior agreement and that the circumstances on the ground were beyond the administration’s control. The partisan divide underscores the broader debate over U.S. foreign‑policy strategy and the responsibility owed to Afghan allies.
Veterans’ Perspective on National Security
Veterans like Van Epps often stress the importance of clear, achievable objectives in foreign engagements. Their experience in Iraq and Afghanistan informs their view that a well‑planned exit, with enforceable conditions, could have reduced the loss of life and preserved U.S. credibility.
By introducing the resolution, Van Epps hopes to keep the conversation alive in Congress and among the public, ensuring that future administrations learn from the mistakes of 2021.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
