SecDef draws GOP outrage after missing Afghanistan weapons reporting deadline

More than two dozen Republican lawmakers sent a letter to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Friday prosecuting Austin for failing to submit a report on American weapons left behind in Afghanistan. Hill report Tuesday.

“We write to you with deep concern regarding the failure of the United States Department of Defense (DOD) to comply with a congressional mandated report of U.S. property, equipment, and supplies left behind. disastrous August withdrawal from Afghanistan,” the letter read.

The letter indicated that, under the terms of the government funding bill passed in September, the Department of Defense was required to file a report on weapons and military supplies lost during the withdrawal by September 29. December.

No such report has been submitted.

A group of watchdogs estimates Last month, US $2.9 billion worth of war stock fell into the hands of the Taliban. In November, CNN report that the Taliban held a military parade, which featured the capture of American armored vehicles and small arms. An October story in New York Times features interviews with Afghan arms dealers whose stores are stocked with American-made guns, grenades and night vision goggles.

Representative Andy Barr (R-Ky.) is the author of the letter. Other signatories include Representative Elise Stefanik (RN.Y.), Madison Cawthorn (RN.C.), and Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.).