Pelosi blocked legislators from reading names of slain US troops: GOP reps

"House Democrats just refused to recognize Republican veterans on the House Floor to read the names of our fallen service members in Afghanistan," Florida combat veteran, Rep. Greg Steube (R-FL) said on Twitter. "That's how far our nation has fallen."

Rep. Carlos A. Giminez (R-FL) blasted Pelosi and the House Democrats on Tuesday, saying "how badly do Nancy Pelosi and the House Democrats want to cover up this Afghanistan debacle? They just blocked Members of Congress from reading the names of the service members who sacrificed their lives in Afghanistan last week. Don't you think our military deserves better?"

Wounded combat veteran from Afghanistan, Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL), told The Floridian "during a Republican-only moment of silence, Speaker Pelosi refused to recognize them to read names or bring up bills or anything. We gaveled in, had a prayer, said the Pledge of Allegiance, took a moment of silence with pretty much all Republican veterans, then asked to be recognized to read names and bring up Afghanistan legislation. They did not acknowledge us, and just closed the House down."

On Monday, Congresswoman Lisa McClain (R-MI) announced that she and 158 co-sponsors introduced legislation in the House of Representatives that would posthumously award the Congressional Gold Medal to the 13 slain US service members. This medal is Congress' most distinguished award.

It was detailed in her press release that the legislation would award the Congressional Gold Medal to Staff Sgt. Darin Taylor Hoover, Sgt. Johanny Rosario Pichardo, Sgt. Nicole Gee, Cpl. Hunter Lopez, Cpl. Daegan Page, Cpl. Humberto Sanchez, Cpl. David Lee Espinoza, Lance Cpl. Jared Schmitz, Lance Cpl. Rylee McCollum, Lance Cpl. Dylan Merola, Lance Cpl. Kareem Nikoui, Hospitalman Maxton Soviak and Staff Sgt. Ryan Knauss.

"These heroic men and women are gone far too soon, and we must honor them for their bravery in helping U.S. citizens and Afghan allies safely evacuate Afghanistan," Rep. McClain said. "My heart aches for the families and loved ones of our servicemembers. We will always remember their service and pay tribute to their sacrifice."