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U.S. House Passes Spanberger-Backed Bill to Posthumously Award Congressional Gold Medal to 13 U.S. Servicemembers Killed in Kabul Terror Attack

Oct 26, 2021
National Defense & Foreign Affairs
Press

Congresswoman: “They Deserve Nothing Less than the Strong Recognition they are Owed for their Valor”

 WASHINGTON, D.C. — An overwhelming majority of the U.S. House of Representatives last night voted to pass bipartisan legislation U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger cosponsored to posthumously award the Congressional Gold Medal to the 13 U.S. military servicemembers who were killed during a deadly attack at the Kabul airport in August 2021.

The Spanberger-cosponsored legislation would award the Congressional Gold Medal to Staff Sgt. Darin Taylor Hoover, Sgt. Johanny Rosario Pichardo, Sgt. Nicole Gee, Cpl. Hunter Lopez, Cpl. Daegan Page, Cpl. Humberto Sanchez, Cpl. David Lee Espinoza, Lance Cpl. Jared Schmitz, Lance Cpl. Rylee McCollum, Lance Cpl. Dylan Merola, Lance Cpl. Kareem Nikoui, Hospitalman Maxton Soviak, and Staff Sgt. Ryan Knauss.

“Those who paid the ultimate sacrifice during the final days of the U.S. military mission in Afghanistan were heroes. They risked everything to help American citizens and our Afghan allies evacuate the country — and they deserve nothing less than the strong recognition they are owed for their valor,” said Spanberger. “I was proud to see unity in the U.S. House as we voted to move forward this bipartisan legislation in their honor. This Congressional Gold Medal would mean so much to their loved ones, their brothers and sisters in the military, and the American communities they volunteered to protect and serve.”

The Spanberger-cosponsored legislation is led by U.S. Representative Lisa McClain (R-MI-10).

“I’m proud the House passed my bill that would award the Congressional Gold Medal to the 13 brave men and women who were taken far too soon. Their sacrifice for our country and its allies will never be forgotten and I’m encouraged by the overwhelming bipartisan support for this legislation, which had 325 cosponsors,” said McClain. “I urge the Senate to quickly pass this bill so we can properly honor these fallen servicemembers.”

Spanberger cosponsored the legislation last month. Click here to read the full bill text.

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