Kamlager-Dove Statement on Republicans Stripping Afghan Relocation Legislation from NDAA, Betraying Our Afghan Allies

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on South and Central Asia, released the following statement after Republicans stripped her bipartisan provision codifying the Office of the Coordinator for Afghan Relocation Efforts (CARE) from the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (FY26 NDAA). The provision, part of her Enduring Welcome Act, passed the House Foreign Affairs Committee with strong bipartisan support during the State Department Authorization markup in September.

 “The Trump Administration’s collective punishment of Afghan refugees and immigrant communities following the horrific shooting of two National Guard members has been abhorrent. Before we even had full details of the attack, Trump scapegoated Afghan allies who risked their lives to protect American servicemembers during our 20-year involvement in Afghanistan. The administration turned on those vulnerable to Taliban retaliation by suspending asylum decisions, halting the issuance of Special Immigrant Visas, and pursuing deportations.

“Equally sickening is my Republican colleagues’ rush to vilify and betray our Afghan allies—many of whom, just last year, attacked the Biden Administration for not doing enough to protect them. Over the weekend, Republican leadership tanked months of bipartisan work by pulling my provision codifying the CARE Office out of the FY26 NDAA, just days before it was set to become law. It is truly shameful that my Republican colleagues, some of whom served in Afghanistan and uniquely understand the debt we owe our allies, have once again put blind loyalty to Trump over American principles and obligations. 

“Trump and Congressional Republicans are abandoning our Afghan allies, undermining U.S. credibility, and spewing hypocrisy—all while jeopardizing the safety of American servicemembers in future conflicts. The United States must honor our promise to the Afghan allies who bravely served alongside us. I will not stop fighting for my Enduring Welcome Act to become law.” 

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