U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) recently led a congressional delegation to Afghanistan and Kuwait for a briefing from U.S. military service members on American counter-terrorism efforts.
“It was clear to me during this trip that the areas our military is working on in terms of counter-terrorism is exceedingly important to helping the Afghan national forces, national police and their government secure more of their territory,” Sen. Capito said. “If we don’t, they face the risk over being overtaken by very violent terrorist groups, which in turn will endanger our homeland.”
Joining Sen. Capito on the trip were U.S. Sens. Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), as well as U.S. Reps. Mike Turner (R-OH) and John Curtis (R-UT).
Sen. Capito and the delegation arrived in Kuwait on Nov. 22 and the next day departed for Kabul, Afghanistan, where they attended a series of meetings at the U.S. Embassy, including one with John Rodney Bass II, U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan.
The lawmakers also received military briefings on the situation in the region, according to a summary of the trip provided by Sen. Capito’s office.
“After having the opportunity to once again visit this region of the world, I have a stronger understanding of the progress we’ve made when it comes to counter-terrorism efforts, as well as the potential national security threats that exist,” said Sen. Capito. “I’m proud of the work that our men and women in uniform are doing there, which ultimately keeps our homeland safe.”
During the weeklong trip, Sen. Capito and her colleagues also traveled to Camp Morehead in Afghanistan and attended a dinner with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani at the Presidential Palace, according to the trip summary, and on the way back home stopped in Brussels, Belgium, to meet with Kay Bailey Hutchinson, the U.S. Ambassador to NATO.
While overseas, Sen. Capito also met with home-state service members with the 863rd Military Police Unit from the West Virginia Army National Guard based at Glen Jean, West Virginia.
“Meeting with these men and women, as well as the other service members was such an honor, and I have the utmost gratitude and respect for their service and sacrifice,” she said.