Medals pushed for Kabul fallen

Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Steve Daines on Wednesday introduced bipartisan legislation to honor the 13 US service members who died in Kabul with posthumous Congressional Gold Medals.

“Thirteen brave men and women gave the last full measure to protect Americans and our Afghan allies at a critical moment in our nation’s history — they are American heroes. As the US concludes 20 years of combat in Afghanistan, I believe it’s fitting that Congress commemorates their sacrifice in this moment with the Congressional Gold Medal,” said Daines (R-Mont.).

As the United States scrambled to remove Americans, Afghan allies and troops from Afghanistan last month, an ISIS-K member set off a suicide bomb outside the Kabul airport on Aug. 26. The blast killed the 13 US service members and nearly 200 Afghans, and injured hundreds more.

“These individuals demonstrated incredible courage throughout their careers, and we owe it to them,” said Warren (D-Mass.).

More than 30 bipartisan lawmakers have joined in co-sponsoring the bill.