'Here to help': Fletcher meets with Houston-based veterans service group amid Afghan evacuation aftermath

The U.S. evacuation from Afghanistan is over but Democrat Texas U.S. House Rep. Lizzie Fletcher said she is still reaching out to Afghans, U.S. veterans and others from the now-over war who might still need help.

On Wednesday, Sept. 1, Fletcher met with members of the Houston-based veterans service organization Combined Arms to discuss post-Afghanistan War matters, particularly Afghan allies in need.

"I was glad to visit with volunteers and leaders at @CombinedArmsUS this morning to discuss the situation in Afghanistan, our obligation and our commitment to continue to assist our Afghan partners in need there, and how best we can welcome evacuated families here in Houston," Fletcher said in a Twitter post the same day.

Combined Arms is a nonprofit organization that connects transitioning veterans with services and other assistance, according to information on its website.

Fletcher has represented Texas' Seventh Congressional District since her election in 2018. She is seeking re-election in next year's general election. Republicans who have signed up so far to unseat Fletcher are Jafar Hajjar, Roland Lopez and Tim Stroud.

Texas' Seventh Congressional District is in the greater Houston area, including Bellaire, Bunker Hill Village, Hedwig Village, Hilshire Village, Hunters Creek Village, Jersey Village, Piney Point Village, Southside Place, Spring Valley Village, West University Place and unincorporated areas of Harris County west to Katy.

The U.S. completed its troop withdrawal by President Joe Biden's Aug. 31 deadline, but up to 250 Americans and thousands of Afghan allies were even then said to still await to be evacuated, according to Axios' coverage of the withdrawal.

The Houston Chronicle reported Sunday, Aug. 29, that Afghans arriving in Houston are already contributing to the local economy.

Fletcher issued a statement on Aug. 15, during the U.S. evacuation in Afghanistan, after a briefing with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Mark A. Milley and other members of Congress. Houston is no stranger to veterans, Fletcher said in that statement.

"Houston is home to one of the country’s largest veteran populations, many of whom served with honor in Afghanistan over the past 20 years," Fletcher said. "My team and I are here to help get assistance to our veterans who need it, to assist with the Special Immigrant Visa Process to get our allies to safety, and to help constituents affected by these developments. I encourage any constituent who needs assistance to contact my office."

Fletcher's office also maintains an "Afghanistan Resources" page on her House website.