WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.), Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, today issued the following statement after the Biden-Harris administration announced that additional U.S. troops will deploy to Hamid Karzai International Airport to help support the reduction of U.S. embassy staff. 

“The reduction of our Embassy staff is a pragmatic step given the ongoing security situation in the country. The deployment of additional U.S. troops to facilitate this reduction is similarly prudent. While the security situation in Afghanistan is deteriorating, our strategy in the region must continue to evolve. The safety and security of United States personnel must always come first, and as such I support the Biden-Harris administration’s decision to reduce our Embassy staff to a core diplomatic presence.”