Republican Introduces Bill To Award Congressional Gold Medal To 13 Servicemen Killed In Terror Attack

Republican Rep. Lisa McClain introduced a bill to honor the 13 American soldiers who were killed in the terrorist attack at the Kabul airport last week.

The bill, which has 150 co-sponsors from both parties, would award the 13 servicemen with the Congressional Gold Medal. 

The terrorist group ISIS-K has claimed responsibility for the attack that killed 11 Marines, one Navy corpsman, and one Army staff sergeant.

Those who lost their lives hailed from 10 states and ranged in age from 20-31.

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Honoring Fallen Heroes

McClain, who represents Michigan’s 10th Congressional District, said in a statement, “These heroic men and women are gone far too soon, and we must honor them for their bravery in helping U.S. citizens and Afghan allies safely evacuate Afghanistan. My heart aches for the families and loved ones of our service members. We will always remember their service and pay tribute to their sacrifice.”

A portion of the text of the bill reads:

The American service members went above and beyond the call of duty to protect citizens of the 16 United States and our allies to ensure they are brought to safety in an extremely dangerous situation as the Taliban regained control over Afghanistan.

The American service members exemplified extreme bravery and valor against armed enemy combatants.

The American service members dedicated their lives and their heroism deserves great honor.

That may be the truest statement to come out of Congress in a long time.

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Some Co-Sponsors Of The Bill

A few of those in Congress co-sponsoring the bill with McClain are Republican Reps. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), Jim Banks (R-IN), Jody Hice (R-GA), and Bill Huizinga (R-MI).

Democrat members who have signed on include Reps. Stephanie Murphy (D-FL), Benny Thompson (D-MS), and Andre Carson (D-IN).

Reps. Peter Meijer (R-MI) and Seth Moulton (D-MA), who made a secret trip to Afghanistan amid the chaos of the U.S. withdrawal and prior to the terrorist attack on the airport, also are included as co-sponsors of the bill. 

If passed and signed into law, the medal would also be given to the Smithsonian Institution for, “display as appropriate and made available for research” after it is presented to the families of the fallen.

The Congressional Gold Medal is an honor that has been awarded since the American Revolution – signifying national appreciation for the recipients. 

Some of the more famous recipients have included President George Washington, John Paul Jones, Andrew Jackson, for his service as a Major General during the War of 1812, Charles Lindbergh, Thomas Edison, Howard Hughes, Generals George Marshall and John Pershing, Winston Churchill, John Wayne, Rosa Parks, and the Navajo Code Talkers.

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Families Unhappy With Biden

Some of the families of the those killed in the attack are none too happy with President Joe Biden.

During an interview with Fox News Host Sean Hannity, Mark Schmitz, father of Marine Lance Cpl. Jared Schmitz, and Darin Hoover, father of Marine Staff Sgt. Taylor Hoover, both saw Biden check his watch during the dignified transfer ceremony of their sons.

Mark Schmitz said of meeting Biden that it “didn’t go well.” Schmitz said Biden talked more about his own son, and, “that didn’t sit well with me.”

The Hoover family declined to meet with Biden. Darin Hoover said, “We said, ‘Absolutely not.’ We didn’t want to deal with him. We didn’t want — we didn’t want him anywhere near us. We as a family decided that was the way it was going to be.” 

Of Biden and his watch-checking, both fathers called it, “the most disrespectful thing I have ever seen.”