The Chair of the U.S. House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee, Representative Michael McCaul, announced plans on Thursday to convene a meeting on March 7. The purpose is to discuss a resolution recommending Secretary of State Antony Blinken be held in contempt of Congress.
This move follows Blinken’s alleged refusal to comply with a subpoena issued by the committee in July. The subpoena pertains to documents regarding the withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021, a process marked by significant chaos and the loss of 13 U.S. service members in Kabul.
The committee has been persistent in its pursuit of additional information from the State Department regarding the withdrawal. Both Republicans and some Democrats argue that there has not been a comprehensive review of the operation’s turbulent execution.
They emphasize the need for accountability and transparency surrounding the events that unfolded during the withdrawal process.
State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller stated during a briefing on Thursday that efforts are underway to address the issue before the March 7 meeting.
While acknowledging the provision of thousands of pages of documents and the availability of witnesses for interviews, the State Department underscores its legitimate confidentiality rights.
The dispute underscores the broader tensions between Congress and the executive branch over accountability and transparency in matters of national security and foreign policy.
As the House committee moves forward with its plans to address Blinken’s alleged non-compliance, it signals a continued push for transparency and accountability regarding the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.
