Washington, DC - February 27, 2020....Representatives Steve Womack (AR-3) and French Hill (AR-2) joined Congresswoman Liz Cheney (WY-At-large) and 19 other members in sending a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Secretary of Defense Mark Esper urging the prioritization of American security as the United States pursues a peace agreement with the Taliban.
Congressmen Womack and Hill said, “Ensuring the safety and security of our nation will always be our top priority. While peace is always the goal, the United States must remain extremely cautious and vigilant as dialogue with the Taliban is pursued. We recognize that this is a moment that needs to be seized—but only if we can secure a legitimate and verifiable deal.”
The letter calls for transparency and highlights the importance of keeping our nation safe. Additionally, it outlines the need for certain security pledges, including that:
Any deal between the U.S. and the Taliban will be public and not contain secret annexes or side deals.There will be no intelligence sharing or “joint
counterterrorism” center established with the Taliban.Any deal with the Taliban will include the requirement that the Taliban turn over all al-Qaeda leaders and operatives who are currently hiding in Taliban strongholds.
The letter, which was led by Congresswoman Liz Cheney (WY-At-large) and signed by Womack (AR-3) and Hill (AR-2), was also supported by Reps. Kelly Armstrong (ND-At-large), Don Bacon (NE-2), Troy Balderson (OH-12), Jim Banks (IN-3), Jack Bergman (MI-1), Steve Chabot (OH-1), Tom Cole (OK-4), Paul Cook (CA-8), Dan Crenshaw (TX-2), Richard Hudson (NC-8), Will Hurd (TX-23), Peter King (NY-2), Adam Kinzinger (IL-16), Darin LaHood (IL-18), Mike Rogers (AL-3), Elise Stefanik (NY-21), Van Taylor (TX-3), Michael Waltz (FL-6), and Brad Wenstrup (OH-2).
The full text of the letter can be found here.
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