On the recordJuly 20, 2021
I congratulate the gentlewoman from North Carolina as she manages this rule and does it in an excellent manner. Mr. Speaker, I rise to support the underlying rule and to mention that H.R. 2467, known as the PFAS Action Act, is an important step in the right direction in providing safe and proper use of these chemicals. As well, I rise in support of H.R. 2668, which is dealing with reinforcing the authority of the Federal Trade Commission. Likewise, I rise in support of H.R. 3985, and I thank Jason Crow for his leadership. That is, of course, expanding the Afghan Allies Protection Act of 2009 to expedite the Special Immigrant Visa process for certain Afghan allies, and for other purposes. Mr. Speaker, we could not be making a more important statement and doing a more important act. We are making a statement that says that we do not forget our friends, our allies. As a Member of the United States Congress since before 9/11, and having interacted with the Afghanistan Government during the early years, the creation of that government in Kabul, going to Kabul and talking to the beginning, the embryonic parliamentarians, where there were any number of women there in those early years after the war as they began to set up their government, being a part of looking at their constitution and having input into its democratic ideals, I know what can happen when America leaves. What happened when America left after the Iraq war? Schools with girls were burned.…
