A Prophet Among Us
This may seem rather strange, but a democrat out of California wrote a bill in July of 2021 that basically covered every detail we have seen on the news more than a month later.
Rep. Lee, Barbara [D-CA-13] some how knew the Taliban would be holding press conferences and releasing information on social media about woman’s rights, education, disarming the general public, and screening individuals at the airport. Yes, Rep. Lee, Barbara [D-CA-13] provided funds for all the needs in Afghanistan and more, more than a month before it happened.
H.R.4373 – Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2022
https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/4373/text?r=5&s=2
Sponsor: Rep. Lee, Barbara [D-CA-13] (Introduced 07/06/2021)
Date Actions Overview
07/28/2021 Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 217 – 212 (Roll no. 243).
07/06/2021 The House Committee on Appropriations reported an original measure, H. Rept. 117-84, by Ms. Lee (CA).
07/06/2021 Introduced in House
In addition, for the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) for reconstruction oversight, $54,900,000, to remain available until September 30, 2023: Provided, That funds appropriated under this heading that are made available for the printing and reproduction costs of SIGAR shall not exceed amounts for such costs during the prior fiscal year.
(A) shall be made available for programs that protect and strengthen the rights of Afghan women and girls and promote the political and economic empowerment of women including their meaningful inclusion in political processes: Provided, That not less than $60,000,000 shall be made available for such purposes: Provided further, That such assistance to promote the empowerment of women shall be made available as grants to Afghan organizations, to the maximum extent practicable;
(F) may be made available, not withstanding any other provision of law, for programs and activities to address the needs of the people of Afghanistan in support of peace and reconciliation, including reintegration of former Taliban and other extremists.
(2) AFGHAN WOMEN.—
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of State shall promote and ensure the meaningful participation of Afghan women in any discussions between the Government of Afghanistan and the Taliban related to the future of Afghanistan in a manner consistent with the Women, Peace, and Security Act of 2017 (Public Law 115–68) and the 2019 United States Strategy on Women, Peace, and Security, including through—
(i) advocacy by the United States Government for the inclusion of Afghan women representatives, particularly from civil society and rural provinces, in ongoing and future discussion;
(ii) the leveraging of assistance for the protection of women and girls and their rights; and
(iii) efforts to ensure that any agreement protects women’s and girl’s rights and ensures their freedom of movement, rights to education and work, and access to healthcare and legal representation.
(3) AFGHAN ALLIES PROTECTION ACT.—Funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act under the heading “Administration of Foreign Affairs” shall be made available to carry out the Afghan Allies Protection Act of 2009 (8 U.S.C. 110 note), including for additional personnel necessary for eliminating any processing backlog and expediting the adjudication of Afghan Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) cases.
(ii) for reconciliation programs and disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration activities for former combatants who have renounced violence against the Government of Afghanistan, including in accordance with section 7046(a)(2)(B)(ii) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2012 (division I of Public Law 112–74);
(5) UPDATED STRATEGY.—Not less than 90 days after enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in consultation with the heads of other relevant Federal agencies, shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a comprehensive, multi-year strategy for diplomatic and development engagement with the Government of Afghanistan: Provided, That such strategy shall include the elements detailed under this section in the report accompanying this Act: Provided further, That the Secretary of State shall consult with such committees on the parameters of such strategy: Provided further, That the strategy required by this paragraph shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may be accompanied by a classified annex.
