Blinken faces contempt for skipping Afghanistan withdrawal testimony

The House Foreign Affairs Committee, led by Chairman Mike McCaul, is moving forward with contempt charges against Secretary of State Antony Blinken for failing to comply with a subpoena regarding the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. This decision follows a yearslong investigation into the chaotic exit, which culminated in a suicide bombing that killed 13 U.S. service members. McCaul emphasized the need for Blinken's testimony to inform potential legislative reforms aimed at preventing similar failures in the future. Despite the committee's requests for Blinken to testify, the State Department has stated that he has already appeared before Congress over 14 times on the matter, more than any other Cabinet official. The committee's frustration stems from what they perceive as a lack of accountability and transparency from the Biden administration regarding the withdrawal process. The committee is scheduled to meet on September 19 to discuss the resolution, with a vote on the contempt charges likely to follow. Lawmakers are currently preoccupied with finalizing a stopgap spending deal to avert a government shutdown, which is set to occur on October 1. This context adds urgency to the committee's actions as they seek to address the fallout from the withdrawal. Ultimately, the committee's actions reflect a broader concern among lawmakers about the implications of the withdrawal and the need for reforms in U.S. foreign policy. McCaul's strong statements indicate a commitment to holding officials accountable and ensuring that lessons are learned from the past mistakes in Afghanistan.