Two more congressman now SUPPORT Biden's Aug. 31 withdrawal date & Ft Bliss, New Mexico prepares for arrivals

Ft. Bliss New Mexico prepares for arrivals of refugees as the two Congressmen; Moulton (D-Mass.) and Peter Meijer (R-Mich.) got an unusually united bipartisan rebuke Wednesday from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) for their 24-hour unauthorized trip to Kabul's international airport during the massive airlift of foreign nationals and the Afghans who assisted them. 

The trip changed their mind about President Biden's Aug. 31 deadline to withdraw U.S. forces, the two congressmen — both Iraq War veterans — have now said. They have now suggested that those such as the local Congresswoman Yvette Herrell should reconsider their positions after them being on the ground and seeing first hand the realities of the situation up front and personal.

"Almost every veteran in Congress wants to extend the Aug. 31 deadline, including us, and our opinion on that was changed on the ground, because we started the evacuations so late," Moulton said. "There's no way we can get everyone out, even by Sept. 11. So we need to have a working relationship with the Taliban after our departure. And the only way to achieve that is to leave by Aug. 31."

But they were chastened enough by the facts on the ground to change their minds about the policy going forward — and they're now of the belief that the US must leave by August 31st.

The White House said early Thursday that another 13,400 people were airlifted from Afghanistan on Wednesday, bringing the total since the airlift began on Aug. 14 to 95,700 evacuees. Earlier Wednesday, the State Department said up to 1,500 Americans still need egress. Several of those evacuees will end up nearby at Fort Bliss and there is dialog about setting up refuge in other areas in close proximity to our region.

Soldiers with 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division are preparing facilities on the Dona Ana Range Complex near Fort Bliss, New Mexico, in support of the Department of State, which is providing transportation and temporary housing in support of Operation Allies Refuge from Afghanistan. This initiative follows through on America's commitment to Afghan citizens who have helped the United States, and provides them essential support at secure locations outside Afghanistan.

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