Afghanistan

Rand Paul accuses Democrats of blocking efforts to cut Afghanistan aid

WASHINGTON — Senator Rand Paul, Republican of Kentucky, has accused Democrats of obstructing his attempts to halt American aid to Afghanistan, arguing that some of the funds ultimately benefit the Taliban.

Since the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, “the U.S. has funneled $3.3 billion” into the country, Paul said, citing data from the Treasury Department. He contended that a portion of that money is reaching the Taliban.

“I have tried to eliminate this aid but have been stymied by Democrats,” Paul said.

His comments echo concerns raised by John Sopko, the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction. In a recent report, Sopko stated that since the withdrawal, U.S. funds have been distributed to Afghanistan primarily through public international organizations, including agencies of the United Nations, for humanitarian purposes.

“Some of this money helps the Afghan people, and some goes to the Taliban,” Sopko said. He noted that between August 2021 and May 2023, U.S.-funded partners paid at least $10.9 million in taxes and fees to Taliban authorities.

Sopko also raised concerns about oversight, stating that two out of five State Department bureaus were unable to demonstrate that their contractors working in Afghanistan in 2022 had been adequately vetted to ensure their work was not benefiting terrorist organizations.

Democrats have largely defended continued humanitarian aid to Afghanistan, arguing that cutting it off would harm civilians already suffering under Taliban rule.