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Congresswoman Claudia Tenney Drafting Bill to Prohibit U.S. Government from Charging American Citizens for Evacuation Flights

August 20, 2021

Utica, New York - Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-22) today announced she is drafting legislation to prohibit the United States government from charging American citizens for evacuation flights out of Afghanistan. While U.S. officials have previously stated that emergency flights would be free, there are reports that American citizens are being asked to pay for them.

“I was horrified to learn that the U.S. government may be charging American citizens outrageous sums for evacuation flights out of Afghanistan. This is adding insult to injury for those American citizens desperately trying to flee the Taliban," said Congresswoman Tenney. "I'm drafting legislation to make sure American citizens are not charged a dime for a lifesaving flight out of the country. We have an obligation to bring our citizens home and we must do whatever it takes to achieve this critical mission."

Tenney is a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. She has been an outspoken critic of President Biden's Afghanistan policy. Earlier today, she reiterated her call on him to resign for his mishandling of the crisis and failure to effectively execute his duties as Commander-in-Chief.

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