Lawmakers request more information from Biden on plan to evacuate Americans and others from Afghanistan

More than 40 House members — Democrats and Republicans — have asked the Biden administration to provide more details about how congressional offices can work with federal agencies to help evacuate individuals still in Afghanistan as the country is increasingly being taken over by Taliban forces.

Rep. Sara Jacobs (D-Calif.) wrote to Biden requesting that the administration — and especially the State and Defense departments — do as much as possible to ensure that Americans and those affiliated with the United States can safely leave the war-torn country immediately.

“We are gravely concerned for the many people — U.S. citizens, Afghan allies and their families, women, NGO employees, journalists, and so many others — stuck in Afghanistan fearing for their lives and the future of the country,” she wrote Tuesday. “It is this administration’s moral obligation to leverage all available resources to help as many people as possible to safety in the United States. There is no time to waste.”

Biden said in a speech Monday from the White House that his administration was working to help Americans return to the United States and warned the Taliban that any attempts to block that process would be met with swift action.

But a day later, Jacobs and others expressed deep concern for those whose lives are at risk because of their association with the United States. And lawmakers also asked for information on the administration’s plan to evacuate those who do not have prioritized status and an explanation of how U.S. agencies are contacting those in need of assistance.

The California Democrat said congressional offices are working hard to evacuate those eligible for certain programs but need more communication from the White House on how to expedite individuals’ transition.

“Congress will continue to assist the Department of State, Department of Defense and other relevant agencies in their efforts to support Americans and Afghans abroad,” she wrote. “We urge the Administration’s foresight and close coordination with our staff in the process, as well as a swift response to these questions so we can be helpful and responsive to the needs of those in harm’s way.”