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Washington, D.C. – Today, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul sent a letter to U.S Secretary of State Antony Blinken accepting the department’s invitation for himself and Ranking Member Meeks to review the July 2021 Dissent Channel cable regarding Afghanistan and the department’s response with the names of the signatories redacted. The letter also expresses the chairman’s insistence that all committee Members be allowed to review the dissent cable and response. The department’s agreeing to provide access to the cable and response after months of obstruction is a significant development.

“In light of this invitation, I will pause efforts to enforce the Committee’s subpoena pending my review of the documents,” wrote the chairman. “Please note, however, that the subpoena remains in full force and effect, and the acceptance of this accommodation does not waive any of the Committee’s rights regarding the subpoena. Additionally, as Chairman of the Committee, I am leading these oversight efforts, but not to the exclusion of other Members of the Committee who are undoubtedly entitled to review the contents of the dissent cable and response. As such, I must insist on the Department allowing other Members to review the dissent cable and response.”

The full text of the letter can be found here and below. 

Dear Secretary Blinken:

The Committee is in receipt of the Department’s May 17, 2023 letter offering a new proposed accommodation in response to the Committee’s March 28, 2023 subpoena compelling you to produce in unredacted form “[t]he Dissent Channel cable sent on or about July 13, 2021, reportedly signed by 23 State Department officials and the official response to it.”

We appreciate the Department’s invitation for Ranking Member Meeks and me to review the Dissent Channel cable and response with the names of the signatories redacted. The Department’s letter offers to make these documents available to view at the State Department “at your convenience.” I am available to view the documents as soon as possible.

In light of this invitation, I will pause efforts to enforce the Committee’s subpoena pending my review of the documents. Please note, however, that the subpoena remains in full force and effect, and the acceptance of this accommodation does not waive any of the Committee’s rights regarding the subpoena.

Additionally, as Chairman of the Committee, I am leading these oversight efforts, but not to the exclusion of other Members of the Committee who are undoubtedly entitled to review the contents of the dissent cable and response. As such, I must insist on the Department allowing other Members to review the dissent cable and response.

Please make arrangements with Committee staff to schedule a time for me to view the Dissent Channel cable and official response as soon as possible.

We look forward to your prompt reply. 

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