CNN
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On Thursday, the top Republican on the House Foreign Relations Committee asked the State Department for a plethora of documents related to the Biden administration’s withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Texas Rep. Michael McCall, chairman of the House Foreign Relations Committee, gave the State Department a January 26 deadline to respond. He threatened the subpoena’s power if the department disobeyed.
“It is imperative that the State Department fully respond to these long-standing demands, and the Commission will not tolerate continued delays,” McCall said in a letter to Secretary of State Tony Brinken, seen by CNN. I am writing in “In the event of non-compliance, the Commission will use its available powers to enforce these requests as necessary, including through mandatory processes.”
The Afghan probe into a 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan is just one of many investigations into the Biden administration that House Republicans are beginning to pursue.
In a 10-page letter, McCaul requested a list of all interagency meetings related to the withdrawal that took place during the Biden administration. He also requested information on all meetings with the Taliban from January 2021 onwards.
In addition to delving into plans for and the withdrawal process for withdrawal, the letter makes clear that the committee is interested in investigating the after-effects of the withdrawal.
Questions include: and “What is the current relationship between the U.S. government and the Taliban?” and “What is the status of processing SIV, P1, and P2 visa applications?”
McCall and his Republican colleagues on the committee sent the department at least three requests for similar information last year. However, McCall was in the minority during that time, and the department did not provide the requested information.
Republicans on the committee went ahead with reporting to the withdrawal last year despite not having access to documents or interviews with State Department officials. , Republicans now have more power and can legally demand information from the government.
At the State Department, a small group of officials began planning the next investigation into Afghanistan last year, officials said.
McCaul and Blinken got off to a friendly start, with both sides viewing talks at the State Department earlier in the week as productive.
State Department spokesman Ned Price said Thursday, “At least from our perspective, our successful engagement with the Speaker has been truly constructive.” It was the beginning, and I hope there will be more to come.”
When asked if the department would comply with document requests related to the Afghan withdrawal, Price avoided firm promises. Price said, in general, the Biden administration believes in the usefulness and necessity of Congress’ functions.
“I look forward to continuing our engagement with Congress on areas that are of interest to Congress and, most importantly, are priorities for the American people,” Price said.
The State Department conducted its own investigation into the Afghan withdrawal last year, but has yet to make the findings widely public. The report he concluded more than 10 months ago, a source told CNN.
