Сенаторы США предложили законопроект о сохранении документов службы афганских союзников

A bipartisan bill recently sponsored by U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD) would require the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) to create a process that would document the service and contributions Afghan allies made alongside American service members during the war in Afghanistan. “Thousands of brave Afghans stood shoulder-to-shoulder with American service members in some of the most dangerous missions of the war,” Sen. Rounds said. “Many of these individuals risked everything to support the United States, yet the records documenting their service remain vulnerable to loss or destruction.” Specifically, the Afghan Ally Records and Credential Heritage (ARCH) Act of 2026, S. 5375, which is cosponsored by U.S. Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Thom Tillis (R-NC), would establish a secure online application system through which eligible Afghan allies or their representatives could submit service information and supporting documentation. After reviewing available military, contractor, and biometric records, DOD would preserve verified records for future use and provide applicants with notice of adverse decisions, an opportunity to appeal, and the ability to request reconsideration when new evidence becomes available, according to a bill summary provided by Sen. Rounds’ staff. “The ARCH Act creates a secure process to preserve this documentation, making certain that accurate records are maintained,” said Sen. Rounds. Sen. Tillis pointed out that the United States owes its Afghan allies a fair and efficient process to preserve their service records. “I’m proud to cosponsor this effort to ensure those records are available for those who stood with our service members in Afghanistan,” he said. The bill also would prohibit application fees and authorize personnel necessary to administer the program, and maintain the application process for at least 10 years, unless the U.S. Defense Secretary later determined that termination is in the national interest, the summary says. The legislation would recognize the service of former members of Afghanistan’s special operations forces, the Afghan Air Force, the Special Mission Wing, intelligence personnel, justice-sector officials, female members of the former Afghan security forces, and other individuals who supported the United States mission in Afghanistan between 2001 and 2021. The measure has garnered support from AfghanEvac, No One Left Behind, With Honor, REACT DC, the Lamia Afghan Foundation, the Center for Law and Social Policy, the Afghan Scout Relief Fund, and Keeping Our Promise Inc.