Congressman Seth Moulton resumes push for passage of Afghan Adjustment Act

Massachusetts Congressman Seth Moulton says that the Biden Administration’s treatment of Afghan refugees could hurt the U.S. military’s ability to form relationships with locals during future and ongoing conflicts.

Moulton, who served four combat tours in Iraq, said on Boston Public Radio that the Biden Administration has failed to deliver on its promise that it would assist Afghan nationals who acted as handlers and translators to U.S. servicemembers.

“When it comes to holding up our end of the bargain to the thousands of men and women who risked their lives to help us during the war — we’re actually going in the wrong direction, Biden is actually taking us backwards. He’s making many changes that are preventing many of these people we left behind from getting out of the country,” Moulton said.

During an interview with Boston Public Radio on Monday, Moulton once again advocated for the passage of the Afghan Adjustment Act. The legislation would make it easier for Afghan nationals who settled in the U.S. following the American military’s withdrawal from Afghanistan to stay in the country.

Moulton said the legislation would assist the Afghan nationals to secure visas and permanent residency.

“You could actually see the allies we did rescue being deported because we didn’t figure out how to make a law that catches up with reality. … Imagine if you go through all that effort then the government comes around under the Biden Administration [and] says we’re going to send you back. It’s absurd.”

Moulton argued that the Biden Administration's failure to hold up its end of the bargain could act as a deterrent for local populations to cooperate with U.S. soldiers on the ground. He said that combating that narrative is essential if the U.S. wants to continue to have an effective relationship with Ukrainian soldiers.

“If the Russians take over, I’m an American collaborator, I need a way out. Do you promise me that you can get me out? That’s a very real conversation that I guarantee you has already been happening on the ground in Ukraine over the past twelve months,” Moulton said.

Moulton said that the U.S.'s credibility and commitment to the war effort in Ukraine is also threatened by the incoming class of Republican lawmakers that are set to take control of the House of Representatives. Multiple Republican politicians have publicly said that the U.S. is overextending itself in the region. Others, like Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, have called for an audit on the Biden Administration’s spending to the country.

Moulton said that he doesn't trust Congressman Kevin McCarthy, who is vying to become the next Speaker of the House, to resist pressure from within his caucus because he needs the support of members to secure his power within the party.

"I don't think that Kevin McCarthy as an individual wants to end support to Ukraine. I think he's playing into Russian propaganda. ... The question at the end of the day, is that if he needs Marjorie Taylor Greene's vote to become speaker, what sort of promises is he going to make to her and the other crazies in the Republican caucus?" Moulton said.