OKC Standard

Congressman Josh Brecheen has introduced the No More Taxpayer Cash for the Taliban Act. This proposed legislation aims to prevent federal agencies from using taxpayer dollars for direct cash assistance in Afghanistan, which is currently under Taliban control.

"The Biden-Harris Administration’s disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan has plunged the country back under Taliban rule and now it turns out that our taxpayer dollars are being used to the benefit of the Taliban," said Congressman Josh Brecheen. "This legislation is needed so we can ensure that no more of our tax dollars are being irresponsibly used in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan."

Between August 2021, when the Taliban took over Afghanistan, and January 2024, the United Nations purchased $2.9 billion worth of U.S. currency for aid use in Afghanistan. Out of this amount, $2.6 billion came from donor governments, primarily funded by the United States.

Reports from the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) have highlighted that this process benefits the Taliban directly and indirectly through UN-administered direct cash assistance funded mostly by U.S. taxpayers. According to SIGAR, the Taliban government imposes taxes on this cash aid at various points during its distribution, generating revenues that support their military operations, domestic security measures, and financing terrorism.

The bill has several original co-sponsors including Representatives Tim Burchett (R-TN), Barry Moore (R-AL), Ralph Norman (R-SC), Nick Langworthy (R-NY), Matt Rosendale (R-MT), Eli Crane (R-AZ), Eric Burlison (R-MO), and Randy Feenstra (R-IA).