WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Tony Gonzales (TX-23) on Thursday released the following statement on the House passage of the ALLIES Act. This bill works to protect Afghan interpreters and partners, and expedite the Special Immigrant Visa process for Afghans as the U.S. withdraws from Afghanistan.

“I served multiple tours in Afghanistan and worked with Afghan interpreters who served the United States honorably, all while knowing the great risk it would put them at,” said Congressman Gonzales. “I am excited to see Congress take a critical step towards fulfilling the promise we made to so many of our Afghan partners. We cannot leave behind the Afghan people who served and fought alongside us.”

Congressman Gonzales served twenty years in the U.S. Navy as a cryptologist, retiring as a Master Chief Petty Officer. He is a veteran of the Global War on Terrorism, having served multiple tours in Afghanistan and Iraq.