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Sen. Todd Young Calls On Biden To Evacuate US Allies

U.S. Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.) outlines the third federal COVID-19 relief package in a conference call with reporters.
U.S. Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.) outlines the third federal COVID-19 relief package in a conference call with reporters.

Senator Todd Young (R-IN), a member of the Foreign Relations Committee, said his office has heard from more than 250 Hoosiers with family or connections still trying to leave Afghanistan. 

Young says "a number" of individuals reaching out to his office have either been repatriated or are safe in another country and will eventually return to the United States.

My office is working to help Americans in need of assistance in Afghanistan. Email evacuation@Young.senate.gov to get in touch with my office. — Senator Todd Young (@SenToddYoung) August 24, 2021

While Young said President Joe Biden should commit that all Americans will be allowed to leave Afghanistan, he went a step further on Wednesday.

"We should go above and beyond the call of duty to bring to a safe location those who fought shoulder to shoulder with Americans so that we can incentivize others to do so in the future," the senator said.  

During remarks last week, the President made clear of his intent to ensure allies and vulnerable populations were among those evacuated.

"The United States stands by its commitment that we’ve made to these people, and it includes other vulnerable Afghans, such as women leaders and journalists," President Biden said.

Young’s call comes amid US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken’s confirmation today that about 1,500 people with ties to the United States still remain in Afghanistan.

Brock E.W. Turner is a reporter for Indiana Public Media covering COVID-19, politics, and Indiana's urban-rural divide. Brock has been awarded regional Edward R. Murrow Awards each of the past two years. A native Hoosier, Brock is a graduate of DePauw University.