Washington — A bill aimed at ensuring U.S. taxpayer dollars do not indirectly support the Taliban has been introduced in the Senate, Representative Tim Burchett, Republican of Tennessee, announced on Friday.
The legislation, titled the “No Tax Dollars for Terrorists Act,” would require the State Department to develop and implement policies to prevent American aid from being accessed by the Taliban. It also mandates detailed reports on cash assistance programs in Afghanistan, outlining steps taken to safeguard funds.
“This bill is a critical step to ensure American taxpayers aren’t unknowingly funding terrorists,” Burchett said, expressing gratitude to Senators Tim Sheehy of Montana, Tommy Tuberville of Alabama, and Bill Hagerty of Tennessee for sponsoring the measure.
The proposed legislation comes amid growing criticism of the Biden administration’s handling of funds allocated to Afghanistan. A recent report by the U.S. Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) raised concerns about inadequate safeguards, warning that American financial assistance might be benefiting the Taliban.
Since the Taliban seized power in August 2021, critics have accused the administration of failing to monitor the flow of aid effectively, fueling fears of corruption and misuse of resources.
In a statement on Friday, Burchett called on President Biden to support the bill, which he described as essential to maintaining transparency and accountability in U.S. foreign aid policies.
