greater risk if we stayed past the 31st in my professional opinion. >> thank you, mr. chairman. >> senator kaine, please. ? thank you, mr. chair. to the witnesses, i want to return to a point that senator wicker made. i informed a dod witness about ten days ago that we would expect an answer to the question of how many americans are still in afghanistan and that we would not appreciate an answer that that was deferred to state. i'm going to ask the question during my second round of questions after lunch and with the number of staff who are here in this room and in the ante room we ought to be able to get it answered. and if we can't, it will suggest to the committee -- and i don't think you want to suggest this to the committee -- that you don't want to be response toich that question or that you don't talk to the state department or that the number of americans in afghanistan is something that you're indifferent too. i don't think any of those are true. i'll ask the question after lunch and hopefully we can get an answer. two compliments then a critical observation and inquiry. first, thanks to president biden for ending the u.s. combat