House Republicans voted on Wednesday to condemn President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris for the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, wrapping up their legislative agenda in Washington with a resolution that carries no legal weight but serves as a pointed political statement ahead of the November elections.
The resolution passed with a vote of 219 to 194, garnering support from all Republicans and 10 Democrats. It condemns Biden, Harris, and other officials in the administration for “decision-making and execution failures throughout the withdrawal from Afghanistan.” Additionally, it attributes blame for the deaths of 13 U.S. service members, who were killed by a suicide bomber at Kabul’s airport during the final days of the evacuation.
On the campaign trail, former President Donald Trump has repeatedly criticized Harris for the chaotic and deadly evacuation, despite having negotiated the withdrawal deal with the Taliban during his presidency. Harris, now the Democratic candidate for president, has countered that Trump bears responsibility for his role in the agreement and that she supports Biden’s decision to end America’s longest war.
In recent weeks, Republicans have leveraged their House majority to bolster Trump’s narrative, releasing a report that predominantly blames Biden for the withdrawal. The House Foreign Affairs Committee also advanced contempt of Congress charges against Secretary of State Antony Blinken, following a contentious interaction regarding his testimony on the withdrawal.
“Three years ago, the world witnessed one of the most devastating policy disasters in American history. The Biden-Harris administration withdrew all U.S. forces from Afghanistan with no plan, no care, and no remorse,” said Rep. Michael McCaul, chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, during the House floor debate.
McCaul further emphasized the loss of life, stating, “As a result, 13 brave U.S. servicemembers and over 170 Afghan civilians were murdered, and 45 U.S. servicemembers and countless others were injured.”
While most assessments attribute shared blame to both Trump and Biden for the collapse of Afghanistan following the withdrawal, an 18-month House investigation led by Republicans has failed to establish any specific instance where Harris significantly influenced the decision-making process regarding the withdrawal.
According to the main U.S. government watchdog for the war, Trump’s 2020 deal with the Taliban to withdraw all U.S. forces and military contractors is deemed “the single most important factor” in the collapse of U.S.-allied Afghan security forces and the subsequent Taliban takeover. Biden’s April 2021 announcement to proceed with the withdrawal initiated by Trump is identified as the second-most significant factor.
Democrats criticized the rushed resolution, labeling it as an effort to further politicize the blame for the withdrawal. “Republicans are trying desperately to clean up a candidate — a candidate that truly has a flawed record — Trump’s record — on this withdrawal,” remarked Rep. Gregory Meeks, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
As political tensions rise ahead of the elections, the Afghanistan withdrawal remains a contentious topic, shaping narratives as both parties prepare for the electoral battleground ahead.