Chris Coons: “Supporting human rights in our foreign policy is a key component of clarifying to a watching world what America stands…”

We owe an enormous debt to the Afghans who supported U.S. forces during their 20-year mission in Afghanistan.

In exchange for that huge risk to themselves and their families, we promised them protection.

They would undermine our country’s competitiveness, erode our scientific ecosystem, increase unwanted bureaucracy, enable corruption, and perpetuate uncertainty across our local communities.

I’m sorry that your schedule apparently didn’t permit us to meet before this confirmation hearing, but I hope and expect we’ll find time to meet soon after today.