Honor Amidst Controversy: Awarding the Congressional Gold Medal

House Speaker Mike Johnson will host a ceremony to posthumously award the Congressional Gold Medal to 13 US service members killed during the Afghanistan withdrawal in 2021. The event is marked by partisan disputes regarding accountability for the rushed evacuation. The ceremony precedes a significant political debate.

House Speaker Mike Johnson is set to host a poignant ceremony on Tuesday, posthumously awarding Congress' highest honor, the Congressional Gold Medal, to the 13 US service members who lost their lives during the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan. This event comes amid intense political debates as the 2024 presidential election looms.

The bipartisan legislation to honor these troops, who were among the victims of a suicide bombing at Kabul's Abbey Gate in August 2021, was signed by President Joe Biden in December 2021. Leaders from both the House and Senate are anticipated to participate in the Capitol Rotunda ceremony.

The ceremony unfolds against a backdrop of blame-shifting between parties over the botched evacuation. House Republicans recently released a critical report targeting the Biden administration, while White House officials have dismissed it as partisan. Expected speakers include figures from both sides, capturing the tense atmosphere surrounding this tribute.

(With inputs from agencies.)