House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) is facing sharp criticism after reportedly blocking the names of the 13 U.S. service members killed in Afghanistan from being read aloud on the House floor. The incident occurred a day after the United States officially ended its military mission in Afghanistan and less than a week after a suicide bomber killed the troops outside Kabul’s airport.
Several Republican lawmakers, including Florida representatives Brian Mast, Greg Steube, and Carlos Gimenez, say Pelosi refused to allow them to read the names during a brief Republican-led moment of silence.
“We gaveled in, performed a prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a minute of silence with almost all Republican veterans,” Mast said. “Then we requested to be acknowledged to read the names and bring up Afghanistan-related legislation. They didn’t acknowledge us and basically shut down the House.”
Mast, a wounded Afghanistan veteran who lost both legs in combat, called the Speaker’s action “disrespectful” to the fallen and to Gold Star families.
Rep. Greg Steube (R-FL) also voiced outrage, accusing Pelosi of silencing veterans on the House floor.
“House Democrats simply refused to acknowledge Republican veterans so the names of our fallen service members could be read aloud,” Steube tweeted. “That is how far our country has fallen.”
Rep. Carlos Gimenez (R-FL) joined his colleagues in condemning the decision, saying that honoring fallen heroes should never be a partisan issue.
“Reading their names is the least Congress could have done,” Gimenez said. “These brave men and women gave everything for our nation, and they deserve to be recognized by every American—Democrat or Republican.”
Critics say Pelosi’s refusal deepens divisions in Congress and ignores the sacrifices of U.S. service members during the chaotic withdrawal. Veterans’ advocates and conservative commentators have also called on lawmakers to hold a bipartisan tribute to the 13 fallen troops.
As debate over the Afghanistan withdrawal continues, Republican leaders insist they will keep pushing for a formal House resolution honoring the fallen and demanding accountability for how the withdrawal was handled.
