WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Rick Scott released the below statement reiterating his call for Congress to launch a bipartisan and bicameral investigation into President Joe Biden’s failed withdrawal from Afghanistan after a report revealed that an American citizen and a permanent U.S. resident, as well as other westerners, are being held against their will by the terrorist Taliban regime. This report comes after President Biden signed an executive order to release $3.5 billion of previously held Afghan assets to Afghanistan, without a clear plan to prevent the assets from getting into the hands of the terrorist Taliban regime.

Senator Rick Scott said, “Just one year into his presidency, Joe Biden has cemented his legacy as a failed commander in chief and incompetent leader of the free world. Six months ago, we all watched in horror as the Biden administration’s botched withdrawal from Afghanistan left hundreds of Americans stranded behind enemy lines and 13 U.S. service members dead. To allow a terrorist regime to threaten even one American life is unacceptable. Not only are President Biden’s policies putting an American’s life at risk, but right as reports are showing that the Taliban has held an American citizen in custody since December, President Biden’s response is to dole out $3.5 billion back to Afghanistan. Joe Biden has no clear plan to secure the safety of this American and no plan to ensure these funds stay out of the hands of Taliban terrorists. Being the president of the United States means stepping up – but Biden has failed to do so at every single moment it was needed since he took office. The president can dismiss our military’s clear evidence of his failure all he wants, but we all know and see the truth. Congress needs to act right now and pass my resolution to establish a bipartisan Joint Select Committee on Afghanistan so we can conduct a full investigation and compile a joint report on Biden’s failed withdrawal. We’ve had enough weakness in one year of Joe Biden’s president to last decades – it’s time for accountability.”

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