Vice President Kamala Harris took the unusual step Tuesday of presiding over a pro forma session of the Senate in which Democrats brought up legislation aimed at helping Americans repatriated from Afghanistan.
In a quick voice vote, the Senate approved the Emergency Repatriation Assistance for Returning Americans Act, which would provide up to $10 million in temporary assistance to Americans coming home from the war-torn country.
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The measure passed the House last week, which means the Senate action Tuesday clears the measure for President Joe Biden’s signature.
Democrats brought up the measure one day after the war in Afghanistan ended with the departure of the last U.S. troops close to midnight local time, one day earlier than the Aug. 31 deadline.
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The Biden administration faces intense criticism for leaving hundreds of U.S. citizens behind, including those who wanted to leave but were unable to penetrate Taliban checkpoints blocking them from the airport in Kabul.
Republicans plan to bring up their own legislation Tuesday in a pro forma House session that would call on the Biden administration to produce a plan to repatriate stranded Americans. Democrats are likely to block the measure, which can only pass by unanimous consent because House lawmakers are away for the summer recess.
U.S. military officials said the effort to bring home Americans is now left to the State Department, which has no formal diplomatic connection with the Taliban-led nation.
