WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02) returned Monday evening from a high-level bipartisan delegation to Afghanistan, Jordan, and Qatar, where she heard directly from active-duty troops defending the United States, received briefings from top military and diplomatic officials, and visited with key Middle East leadership.
“This is a critical time as our military fights for security and stability in the Middle East. Hearing directly from our troops and diplomats in Afghanistan, Jordan, and Qatar allows Congress to conduct sharp oversight of American missions around the world,” Congresswoman Luria said. “As a 20-year Navy veteran, it was my honor to meet with brave men and women serving in harm’s way. I look forward to applying the lessons learned so I can best advocate for the safety of our nation.”
Congresswoman Luria and Congresswoman Davis stand with Afghan special forces trainees at Camp Morehead
In Afghanistan, the delegation traveled to Camp Morehead – located near Kabul – to thank Resolute Support Mission troops. Separately, the lawmakers met with Defense Secretary Mark Esper, who also was visiting Afghanistan. The delegation received briefings from Ambassador John Bass, met with President of Afghanistan Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, and spoke with top U.S. military commanders and diplomats on reconciliation efforts with the Taliban. Congresswoman Luria was among those who pushed for the women of Afghanistan to be included in reconciliation efforts.
In Jordan, the delegation met with His Majesty King Abdullah II and other senior officials. With the meeting happening on the heels of Turkey’s incursion in Syria, the leaders engaged in a dialogue on regional stability, counterterrorism, security cooperation, Middle East peace, economic development, and other shared priorities. The delegation also received detailed briefings from senior diplomats and had the chance to thank members of the U.S. Marine detachment.
Other members of the bipartisan delegation were:
- Speaker Nancy Pelosi
- Ranking Member Mac Thornberry, House Armed Services Committee
- Chairman Eliot Engel, House Foreign Affairs Committee
- Chairman Bennie Thompson, Homeland Security Committee
- Chairman Adam Schiff, House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence
- Congressman Ron Kind, House Ways and Means Committee
- Congresswoman Susan Davis, House Armed Services Committee
- Congressman Stephen Lynch, Chairman, House Oversight and Reform Subcommittee on National Security
About the Author
How the politicians love using the troops as political props.
As a combat veteran, I truly wonder what message we are to take of those two American women in the picture posing and smiling like it is a girl scout outing or something and they are the chaperones.
Frankly, and this is just me speaking, everybody else is entitled to their opinion, they look immature and stupid.
Sorry would not trust your congresswoman at all.
CAPTION CONTEST:
“We’re so glad we could give you kids a real long-lasting shooting war where you get to play with real guns and we get to come over here to stand in solidarity with you to show the folks back home how patriotic we really are!”