Missouri’s U.S. senators and representatives react to attacks outside Kabul Airport
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Missouri's U.S. senators and several congressional members have reacted to the Thursday morning attacks outside the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan.
Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-St. Elizabeth) statement on attacks outside Kabul Airport.
Our fears were realized this morning. President Biden’s failure has ended lives and threatens thousands more. It is past time for him to use every resource necessary – both military and diplomatic – to guarantee the safety of every American citizen and servicemember in Afghanistan. Jackie and I are praying for the people hurt in this morning’s attacks and everyone trying desperately to get out safely.
Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer
Rep. Vicky Hartzler (R-Harrisonville) issued the following statement regarding the explosions in Kabul, Afghanistan.
Today’s explosions outside Kabul’s airport underscored the necessity for a thorough and well-thought-out withdrawal plan to ensure the safety and security of Americans in Afghanistan.
But President Biden disregarded intelligence, lied to the nation on this reality, and put our citizens who are stranded in Afghanistan in grave danger. This administration has shown incompetence at every stage of this catastrophe and should be held accountable for the lives they have put at risk.
Rep. Vicky Hartzler
U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) released this statement after confirmation that multiple U.S. service members have been killed in the attacks outside of the Kabul airport.
Today, the United States tragically lost a number of U.S. service members in the attacks outside of the Kabul airport. I am praying for their families, for those who were injured, and for the safety of all of our troops, allies, and Afghan partners who are in harm’s way.
What we are seeing is the result of a poor plan poorly executed. The Biden administration must use every resource it has available to get Americans and our allies to safety.
Sen. Roy Blunt
Rep. Sam Graves (R-Tarkio) released a statement after receiving news that U.S. service members were killed in attacks on Karzai International Airport in Kabul Afghanistan Thursday morning.
My heart breaks for these fallen heroes, their families, and their fellow service members still fighting for their lives at the airport in Kabul. They’ve shown immense courage and compassion in the face of impossible odds. They never should have been put in this position in the first place. The President must immediately implement a plan to secure the airport and protect the lives of U.S. troops, American citizens, and our allies.
Rep. Sam Graves
U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) issued the following statement on the attacks in Afghanistan.
Our nation is forever indebted to the brave Marines who made the ultimate sacrifice today. And we remember as well the innocent Afghanis who needlessly perished. Joe Biden has now overseen the deadliest day for US troops in Afghanistan in over a decade, and the crisis grows worse by the hour. We must reject the falsehood peddled by a feckless president that this was the only option for withdrawal. This is the product of Joe Biden’s catastrophic failure of leadership. It is now painfully clear he has neither the will nor the capacity to lead. He must resign.
Sen. Josh Hawley
Rep. Jason Smith (R-Salem) issued the following statement after the attacks at the Kabul airport in Afghanistan.
Today's attack is horrific. Americans died because of this administration's feeble, weak leadership and its disastrous withdrawal plan. It is unacceptable to leave American lives up to the mercy of a terrorist-aligned government. We must ensure Americans' safety NOW.
Rep. Jason Smith
Rep. Billy Long (R-Springfield) made the following statement after multiple explosions were reported near the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul.
It was infuriating but not unexpected to learn of the suicide bombings and resulting injuries and casualties in Kabul," Congressman Long said. “The attack today is a tragic example of how utterly incompetent President Biden has been at withdrawing American troops and civilians from Afghanistan. The President had no plan for evacuating American civilians and allies from the country before removing our troops, and the results have been pure pandemonium, as evidenced by today’s violent attacks. This is what you get when you have a Commander in Chief that publicizes an arbitrary withdrawal date instead of listening to his Generals and letting conditions on the ground dictate how to withdraw while safely evacuating Americans and allies in advance. During this time of crisis, the American people deserve a leader who will fight for them, instead of a leader who refuses to answer questions and continuously lies and laughs about the dire situation on the ground. As we learn more about the attacks and the situation continues to unfold, please join me in prayer for the Marines we have lost and the Americans and our allies who our government has stranded in Afghanistan.
Rep. Billy Long
