House Republicans have raised alarms over reports indicating that a significant portion of U.S. humanitarian aid to Afghanistan may have fallen into the hands of the Taliban. During a recent House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee hearing, concerns were voiced regarding the lack of oversight and potential misuse of funds.
Rep. Brian Mast highlighted various State Department expenditures, including a reported $2.8 billion in humanitarian funding directed to Afghanistan post the 2021 withdrawal. He criticized the administration for allegedly allowing tens of millions of dollars to reach the Taliban, following their resurgence to power.
Additionally, Rep. Michael McCaul, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, expressed dismay over a federal inspector general's findings that suggested at least $10.9 million in U.S. taxpayer funds indirectly benefited the Taliban. McCaul emphasized the need for immediate action to prevent such misuse of taxpayer dollars.
The Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) revealed that the $11 million paid by State Department entities to the Taliban was likely just a fraction of the total amount received by the group through various means such as taxes and fees.
These revelations have sparked concerns among lawmakers, with Mast labeling the situation as 'America Last.' He emphasized the importance of safeguarding U.S. funds from falling into the hands of adversaries like China, Russia, and Iran.
While the State Department refuted claims of promoting atheism in Nepal, Deputy Secretary of State Richard Verma clarified that the grant in question was not intended for such purposes. Verma assured that appropriate measures would be taken to ensure the funds are used for their designated humanitarian objectives.
The ongoing scrutiny over the handling of U.S. aid to Afghanistan underscores the need for enhanced oversight and accountability to prevent further misuse of taxpayer funds.
