Afghanistan Times
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KABUL — In a shocking revelation, US Senator Tim Burchett (R-TN) has alleged that over $40 million in American taxpayer dollars is being sent to Afghanistan weekly, despite a freeze on foreign aid to the country. The claims, made during an interview with Breitbart News, have sparked outrage and raised serious questions about the transparency and accountability of US aid programs in the region.
Senator Burchett stated, “We’ve been told that it is, somehow they’re getting it. That’s on the surface that we know about.” The cash transfers, which began after the collapse of the US-backed Afghan government and the Taliban’s takeover in 2021, are reportedly part of a United Nations-led humanitarian assistance program. However, Burchett and other critics argue that the funds may be indirectly benefiting the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA), the Taliban’s de facto government.
The allegations come amid ongoing concerns about the misuse of humanitarian aid in Afghanistan. In April 2023, Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) John Sopko testified before Congress that the US had allocated 8������������ℎ�����������������ℎ�������2021���ℎ������.�������,�����������������ℎ��ℎ���ℎ�8billiontoAfghanistanfollowingtheAugust2021withdrawal.However,itremainsunclearwhetherthe40 million weekly cash infusions are drawn from this pool or how long the $8 billion is intended to last.
SIGAR has previously accused the IEA of siphoning off humanitarian aid through various means, including infiltrating UN-partnered NGOs, imposing taxes and fees on aid workers, and directing aid to Taliban officials and their families. In some cases, Afghan aid recipients have reportedly been taxed at exorbitant rates—up to 60 to 100 percent of the aid they receive.
Senator Burchett has been a vocal critic of the cash shipments. In December 2023, he introduced the No Tax Dollars for Terrorists Act, which passed the House unanimously but stalled in the Democrat-controlled Senate. Last month, Burchett reintroduced the bill, vowing to push it through both chambers and onto President Trump’s desk. The legislation would require the State Department to develop a policy to prevent foreign aid from reaching the IEA, mandate reports on cash assistance programs in Afghanistan, and investigate the Afghan Fund and IEA members tied to Da Afghanistan Bank, the country’s central bank.
