Speaker Nancy Pelosi

Speaker Pelosi.  It transpired over – since 2 p.m. yesterday.  Our Members who were on the bus – I was ready to join them for a 2:15 wheels up from here to Andrews Air Force Base to visit our troops, pay our respects; to thank them for their service, their sacrifice and their dedication; to get a measure of the leadership of Afghanistan, strength of their military, the morale of their people. 

“The United States Congress is a co-equal branch of government in our system of checks and balances.  The Congress has a constitutional responsibility to conduct oversight in the war zone where our men and women in uniform are risking their lives every day," Hammill said.  "After President Trump revoked the use of military aircraft to travel to Afghanistan, the delegation was prepared to fly commercially to proceed with this vital trip to meet with our commanders and troops on the front lines."

Speaker Pelosi.  Votes on the Floor.  That's the tyranny of the bell, as I call it.  When the bells ring we have to be there, and when the Members are there that's a very important time for us.

“The Congressional Delegation to Afghanistan included a required stop in Brussels for pilot rest.  In Brussels, the delegation was scheduled to meet with top NATO commanders, U.S. military leaders and key allies – to affirm the United States’ ironclad commitment to the NATO alliance,” said Hammill. “This weekend visit to Afghanistan did not include a stop in Egypt.”