{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://mcclain.house.gov/2021/9/congresswoman-lisa-mcclain-demands-classified-briefing-following-hasc", "Congresswoman Lisa McClain Demands Classified Briefing following HASC", "2021-09-29", "2021", "2021-09", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Lisa C. McClain", "M001136", "mcclain.house.gov", "mcclain", "https://mcclain.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congresswoman Lisa McClain (R-MI), a member of the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) wrote a letter to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and General Mark Milley demanding a classified briefing following today\u2019s committee hearing.\n\n\u201cThe American people deserve to know the truth about what led to the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan. Did President Biden ignore his top military brass, or did he listen to their advice,\u201d asked McClain. \u201cThirteen American servicemembers and more than 100 Afghan allies died as a result of President Biden\u2019s withdrawal, and we need to know who is to blame for this situation. Since many questions were not answered during today\u2019s hearing, we need to be briefed in a classified setting.\u201d\n\nFor a copy of the letter, click here.\n\nThe full text is below.\n\nDear Secretary Austin and General Milley,\n\nWhile I appreciate your willingness to testify before the House Armed Services Committee, I am requesting a follow-up classified briefing from you in the immediate future to respond to additional questions and get answers the American people are demanding.\n\nSeveral of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle were unable to ask you questions regarding the situation in Afghanistan and our withdrawal operation. Per our Constitutional duties as the Legislative branch, it is our duty and responsibility to ask the questions and conduct oversight that our constituents demand.\n\nIn addition, during the hearing today several members of Congress asked questions that were not given answers due to the classified nature of their responses. In the hearing, you volunteered to answer those questions should they be asked in a classified session. The conclusion of the United States\u2019 involvement in Afghanistan demands a thorough examination in a classified setting where my colleagues and I can get answers.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://mcclain.house.gov/2021/9/congresswoman-lisa-mcclain-demands-classified-briefing-following-hasc"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.3329731300473213, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}