$40 Million Weekly Aid to Afghanistan Allegedly Benefits Taliban, Claim US Lawmakers
By Mason Media
March 4, 2025
Two U.S. lawmakers, Tim Burchett and Marjorie Taylor Greene, have raised alarming claims that $40 million in taxpayer money is being sent to Afghanistan every week, with a significant portion allegedly ending up in the hands of the Taliban. The lawmakers argue that this funding is being exploited by the Taliban regime, which has controlled Afghanistan since 2021.
Cash Flows and Alleged Exploitation
Representative Tim Burchett, a Republican from Tennessee, detailed the process by which he believes the funds are being misused. According to Burchett, cash is flown into Afghanistan via charter jets, where it is auctioned off to the Taliban in exchange for Afghan currency.
“Every week, $40 million in taxpayer money is ending up in the hands of the Taliban,” Burchett stated during a press conference. “The cash is flown in, auctioned to the Taliban, and then distributed to NGOs (non-governmental organizations) that are approved by the regime. Each time the money is exchanged or spent, the Taliban take a cut. They also decide who receives foreign aid, and often, those beneficiaries are either Taliban members or affiliated with Al Qaeda.”
Burchett, who introduced the 'No Taxpayer Funding for Terrorists Act', emphasized that the U.S. has continued to send financial aid to Afghanistan since the Taliban’s takeover. He argues that this aid is being funneled to support terrorism rather than helping the Afghan people.
Criticism from Lawmakers
Marjorie Taylor Greene, another Republican lawmaker, echoed Burchett’s concerns, calling the ongoing financial assistance a “disgrace” to American taxpayers.
“Hardworking Americans pay high taxes, and it’s unacceptable to see their money going directly into the hands of terrorists,” Greene said. “Not only is cash being flown into Afghanistan weekly, but NGOs are also injecting funds into the Afghan economy, with the Taliban taking a significant share.”
The Process Behind the Allegations
Burchett and Greene outlined the following steps they believe the $40 million in weekly aid takes before reaching the Taliban:
1. Cash is flown into Afghanistan via charter jets.
2. The money is auctioned to the Taliban in exchange for Afghan currency.
3. NGOs, approved by the Taliban, receive the funds and are required to pay taxes to the regime.
4. The Taliban take a cut every time the money is exchanged or spent.
Calls for Legislative Action
In response to these allegations, lawmakers are pushing for the passage of the 'No Taxpayer Funding for Terrorists Act', which aims to halt U.S. financial aid to Afghanistan under Taliban rule. If passed, the legislation would undergo several stages before becoming law.
Burchett stressed the importance of the bill, stating, “This legislation is crucial to ensuring that American taxpayer dollars are not used to fund terrorism.”
Supporting Concerns
The claims made by Burchett and Greene align with concerns raised by John Sopko, the former Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR). Sopko, who has extensively investigated U.S. spending in Afghanistan, previously stated that the Taliban benefits from all aid sent to the country, including humanitarian assistance.
While the U.S. government and international agencies maintain that aid is closely monitored and does not directly fund the Taliban, critics argue that the regime’s control over Afghanistan ensures they profit from every dollar that enters the country.
Ongoing Debate and Future Steps
As the debate over U.S. aid to Afghanistan continues, Congress is expected to hold further discussions on the proposed legislation. If enacted, the 'No Taxpayer Funding for Terrorists Act' could significantly impact humanitarian funding for Afghanistan, raising questions about how to support the Afghan people without empowering the Taliban.
The allegations highlight the complex challenges of providing aid in a country under Taliban control, balancing humanitarian needs with the risk of funding Terrorism.
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