I 
117TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 5174 
To establish the National Commission on United States Involvement in 
Afghanistan, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
SEPTEMBER 3, 2021 
Ms. STEFANIK (for herself and Mr. WITTMAN) introduced the following bill; 
which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs 
A BILL 
To establish the National Commission on United States 
Involvement in Afghanistan, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘National Commission 
on United States Involvement in Afghanistan Act of 
2021’’. 
SEC. 2. ESTABLISMENT. 
There is established in the executive branch an inde-
pendent commission to be known as the National Commis-
sion on United States Involvement in Afghanistan (in this 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:10 Sep 09, 2021
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5174.IH
H5174
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
Act referred to as the ‘‘Commission’’). The Commission 
shall be considered an independent establishment of the 
Federal Government as defined by section 104 of title 5, 
United States Code, and a temporary organization under 
section 3161 of such title. 
SEC. 3. PURPOSES. 
The purposes of the Commission are to— 
(1) examine and report on the involvement of 
the United States in Afghanistan since 2001, includ-
ing actions by the United States Armed Forces, the 
intelligence community, and all relevant Federal de-
partments and agencies, and the efforts of the 
United States with North Atlantic Treaty Organiza-
tion partners; 
(2) scrutinize the strategic goals and interests 
of the United States in Afghanistan as they evolved, 
including counterterrorism, stabilization objectives, 
and capacity-building efforts, and to determine the 
ability of the United States to have achieved such 
goals and interests; 
(3) review the progress assessments of the 
United States related to Afghanistan since 2001, 
and determine if such assessments were accurately 
and sufficiently communicated to policy makers and 
the American public; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:10 Sep 09, 2021
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5174.IH
H5174
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
(4) fully examine the drawdown efforts of the 
United States and its allies in Afghanistan, culmi-
nating in the 2021 withdrawal, including a full re-
view and assessment of diplomatic negotiations with 
the Taliban in Doha, Qatar, and the degree of con-
sultation and communication with North Atlantic 
Treaty Organization allies and the Afghan govern-
ment; 
(5) provide insight into the efforts of the 
United States to evacuate citizens of the United 
States from Afghanistan, administer the Special Im-
migration Visa program and provide evacuation of 
Afghan allies, and conduct a full accounting and in-
ventory of military equipment, monies, and United 
States Government assets left in Afghanistan; and 
(6) investigate and report to the President and 
Congress on its findings, conclusions, and rec-
ommendations for corrective measures to be taken to 
prevent future policy failures abroad. 
SEC. 4. COMPOSITION OF COMMISSION. 
(a) MEMBERS.—The Commission shall be composed 
of 10 members, of whom— 
(1) 1 member shall be appointed by the Presi-
dent; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:10 Sep 09, 2021
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5174.IH
H5174
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
(2) 2 members shall be appointed by leadership 
of the Democratic Party in the Senate; 
(3) 2 members shall be appointed by leadership 
of the Republican Party in the Senate; 
(4) 2 members shall be appointed by leadership 
of the Democratic Party in the House of Represent-
atives; 
(5) 2 members shall be appointed by leadership 
of the Republican Party in the House of Representa-
tives; and 
(6) 1 member shall be appointed by the Sec-
retary of Defense from the Special Inspector General 
for Afghanistan Reconstruction who, to the extent 
practicable, shall be a former agency executive, or 
former holder of a leadership position with the Spe-
cial Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruc-
tion. 
(b) LEADERSHIP; QUALIFICATIONS; INITIAL MEET-
ING.— 
(1) LEADERSHIP.—Upon the first meeting of 
the Commission, members shall designate, by major-
ity vote, a chairperson and vice chairperson from 
among the members of the Commission to serve for 
the duration of the Commission. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
18:10 Sep 09, 2021
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5174.IH
H5174
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS