Congressman Patrick McHenry (NC-10) joined Congressman Richard Hudson (NC-08), U.S. Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC), and all of the Republican Members of the North Carolina congressional delegation in sending a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken this week regarding the ongoing crisis in Afghanistan and Americans left behind there.

In the letter, the Members highlight the Biden administration's botched withdrawal which cost the lives of thirteen American servicemembers including two who were connected to North Carolina. Additionally, they ask the State Department for detailed answers about how many Americans are still left in Afghanistan, who were the 124,000 people evacuated from Afghanistan, and when Congress will receive updates about Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) applicants.

"[We] have become increasingly concerned with the State Department’s lack of strategy to secure the safety of American citizens and Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders and applicants left behind in now Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. Because of the chaos of the evacuation, many of these people remain in danger, and the United States has little capacity to properly vet and transfer these people quickly and safely," wrote the Members. "[We] ask that the State Department provide immediate assistance and a clear plan to secure the safety of those left behind."

In addition to Congressman McHenry, Congressman Hudson, and Senator Tillis, the letter was signed by Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) and Representatives Virginia Foxx (NC-05), Dan Bishop (NC-09), Madison Cawthorn (NC-11), Greg Murphy (NC-03), Ted Budd (NC-13), and David Rouzer (NC-07). The entire letter can be found by clicking here.