Today U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) gave a speech on the Senate Floor honoring Marine Corps Lance Corporal Jared Schmitz of Wentzville, Mo. and each of the 56 Missourians who made the ultimate sacrifice in the war in Afghanistan. In his speech he pledged to hold the nomination of any nominee for the Department of Defense or for the Department of State until Secretary Austin, Secretary Blinken, and Jake Sullivan resign.
“I had the privilege of speaking to Lance Corporal Schmitz’s family just hours after we learned of Jared’s death. I said this to them, and I promised that I would say for the whole nation: Jared Schmitz lived a life of honor, he lived a life worth living, and his sacrifice was not in vain,” Senator Hawley said before reading the names of the 56 Missourians killed in the war in Afghanistan.
“Make no mistake, this President is a disgrace. His behavior is disgraceful. He has dishonored this country with his shameful leadership in this crisis and it is time for him to resign,” Senator Hawley said. “I will not consent to the nomination of any nominee for the Department of Defense or for the Department of State until Secretary Austin and Secretary Blinken and Jake Sullivan resign. Leaders take responsibility of their failures. And the failure of these individuals, the failure of this administration has costs Americans their lives.”
Today Senator Hawley and Senator Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) introduced a resolution honoring Lance Corporal Schmitz, the most recent and the youngest of the 56 Missourians who made the ultimate sacrifice during the war in Afghanistan. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer is introducing the companion resolution in the House.
The full speech is available here.