Congresswoman Sara Jacobs Issues Statement on Bombings in Afghanistan
Congresswoman Sara Jacobs (D-CA-53), a member of the House Armed Services Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee, released the following statement:
“I am devastated by the loss of US servicemembers and innocent Afghan civilians in Kabul. My heart is with them and their loved ones. Representing a proud military community in San Diego, I know that the service and sacrifice of our servicemembers includes their entire family. Representing a proud refugee community in San Diego, I know there are hundreds of stories we will never know because of this attack. The loss of lives today -- those who were trying to escape and those working to protect them -- is a heartbreaking tragedy.
Like many Americans, I’m searching for answers and meaning amidst all of this tragic loss of life. But the answer cannot be more war and violence. The answer cannot be launching more ineffective and unaccountable counterterrorism operations. We must resist the urge to let our pain dictate our policy. If we don’t, we will have learned nothing from the last twenty years. We owe it to all those who lost their lives to not commit the same mistakes.
In the immediate term, we must continue our work to evacuate as many Americans and vulnerable Afghans as possible. I will continue to push for humanitarian parole for at-risk Afghans, increased support and assistance to Afghan refugees, and legal safeguards and funding for organizations that deliver life-saving humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan.
May the memory of those we lost be a blessing.”