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Washington, D.C. – Congressman Michael McCaul (R-TX), Republican Leader on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Representative Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), released the following statement after attending a classified briefing at the White House on media reports that Russia put bounties on American and coalition troops in Afghanistan. 

“Today, we received a classified briefing on the media reports that Russia offered bounties to Afghan militants to kill U.S. and coalition troops from top Administration officials, including the Director of National Intelligence, the White House National Security Advisor and the White House Chief of Staff. Among other things, they informed us there is an ongoing review to determine the accuracy of these reports, and we believe it is important to let this review take place before any retaliatory actions are taken.

“There are already those who are politicizing this issue, however we cannot let politics overshadow a truth that Republicans and Democrats alike can agree on: the Putin regime cannot be trusted. If the intelligence review process verifies the reports, we strongly encourage the Administration to take swift and serious action to hold the Putin regime accountable.”

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