53 Representatives sign Lynch-Waltz Letter supporting IED clearance in Afghanistan
On April 26th, Representatives Stephen Lynch and Michael Waltz led a bipartisan letter to the House Appropriations Subcommittee for State and Foreign Operations, calling for the removal of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in Afghanistan.
Improvised explosive devices litter Afghanistan as a result of their prolonged conflict, making the country one of the deadliest places in the world for civilians. In fact, the country has one of the highest rates of contamination ordnance from IEDs, with ordnance taking up an area roughly the size of Connecticut.
“I would like to thank Representatives Lynch and Waltz for their leadership on this crucial issue. Every day innocent civilians in Afghanistan are forced to live under the threat of these deadly devices. We have identified a number of schools surrounded by IEDs, preventing children from studying. We are incredibly grateful for the support of the 53 Members that are using their voice to support clearing these weapons of war,” said Kristen Stevens, Head of Congressional Affairs at The HALO Trust (USA).
The Letter was signed by the following Members: Reps. Stephen Lynch, Michael Waltz, Colin Allred, Jake Auchincloss, Earl Blumenauer, Anthony Brown, Julia Brownley, Cheri Bustos, Andre Carson, Steve Cohen, Jim Costa, Rick Crawford, Jason Crow, Madeleine Dean, Diana DeGette, Debbie Dingell, Tom Emmer, Anna Eshoo, Ruben Gallego, Jesus Garcia, Jahana Hayes, Jim Himes, Chrissy Houlahan, Sara Jacobs, Pramila Jayapal, Bill Johnson, Kai Kahele, John Katko, Bill Keating, Alan Lowenthal, Lucy McBath, Donald McEachin, Jim McGovern, Peter Meijer, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Ilhan Omar, Frank Pallone, Jimmy Panetta, Chellie Pingree, Ayanna Pressley, Jamie Raskin, Linda Sanchez, Adam Schiff, Brad Schneider, Brad Sherman, Albio Sires, Jackie Speier, Marilyn Strickland, Tom Suozzi, Rashida Tlaib, Lori Trahan, and Peter Welch.
