Mike McCaul

We have to win the world over by saying that our values of trade and otherwise are much better than theirs.

I am incensed about it and hope that we will have some involvement ultimately in assessing that situation.

Make no mistake, China is the competitor with the greatest combination of intent and capacity to threaten U.S. global leadership.

Let me be clear to anyone who is listening at home or abroad: This conflict is not with individual citizens of the PRC--this conflict is with the CCP, an authoritarian regime that commits genocide against its own people, censors free…

Thank you all for telling the truth, because the truth that is coming out today because of your testimony, the truth that comes out from my constituent, a brave Marine put in that position, that tells the story of a failure of leadership.

It is a disgrace. And, there needs to be accountability for my Marine constituent, who is no longer a Marine. Disgraceful.

For this Administration, for this White House, for this State Department to put our Marines like this young constituent of mine in that position, to put our allies, our Afghan allies in this position, to put our U.S. service members who…

It is a moral failing that, despite broad and bipartisan support, Congress cannot come together to pass the Afghan Adjustment Act.

I think if we want to blame somebody else for your leadership mistakes at that time, I think that's a false narrative.

It makes a difference that this Committee is going to hold someone accountable.

I asked why we had abandoned previous U.S. policy regarding negotiations directly with the Taliban, undercutting the Afghan government.

The decision to withdraw under the previous Administration--a decision that I questioned when Secretary Pompeo was sitting in your seats in this committee 4 years ago this month.

There will be accountability. And, I'll have resignations or impeachments one way or another.

We left Americans behind. We left our Afghan allies behind to die. And, we have to accept that.

We continue to pay the price around the world, specifically in Ukraine.

We continue to pay the price around the world with the perceived weakness of America.

Is this how we repay our allies?

The fact that American troops found themselves dependent on the Taliban for perimeter security and assistance is a disgrace.

The American people deserve answers to understand why these tragedies unfolded.

If we're going to have an entire hearing... and we say, not one person was held accountable that made these decisions, then how can we learn?

The Administration needs to take responsibility for its staggering failures.

The Biden Administration's dishonorable flight from Afghanistan was a betrayal of our servicemembers and the brave Afghans who lived, worked, and fought alongside them.

I will not rest, and this committee will not rest, until we determine how this happened and hold those responsible for it accountable.

This is about accountability. This is about transparency. And, this is about ensuring this never, ever happens again.

It is shameful what happened. And, as a citizen, not as someone who has served, not as somebody who was on the ground there, as a citizen, it was horrifying to watch.