Rep. McCaul: USAID Has Given $110,000 to Non-Profit With Alleged Links to Terror Groups

According to a letter sent Friday by Michael McCaul (Republican from Texas), it appears that American taxpayer money may have been given to terrorist organisations through a nonprofit.

The House Foreign Affairs Committee’s (HFAC) Chairman wrote a letter (pdf) to the U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAIDSamantha Power, the administrator of the organization, raised concerns about the grant of $110,000 to a non profit with alleged ties in a href=”https://www.theepochtimes.com/t-terrorism”>terrorism.

McCaul expressed concerns about “credible” And “longstanding, detailed allegations” The non-profit Helping hand for Relief and Development (HHRD), was not properly screened for alleged ties with terrorist groups, terror financiers and extremist groups.

The Foreign Affairs Committee had given information on the matter to USAID from May 2022, but USAID’s response at that time was not addressing the allegations against the grantee, according to McCaul.

The Epoch Times reached USAID to provide comments.

HFAC requested a briefing from USAID, but was not granted any action. The committee then had to file a public request to USAID in Nov. 2022 to get an explanation of the grant.

McCaul stated that the briefing was held on January 11, 2023. It made it clear that USAID did not investigate or suspend the award, despite being given detailed information.

“Shockingly, one of the subject-matter experts in the briefing acknowledged that he had only been made aware of the matter the week before,” McCaul writes.

“USAID attempted to defend itself by claiming it had forwarded information provided by the committee to USAID’s Office of Inspector General. While this would be an appropriate step, it in no way replaces or relieves USAID of its clear responsibility to promptly examine the allegations and to determine if it has been providing taxpayer dollars to an entity linked to designated terrorist organizations. USAID’s gross negligence in handling this matter and its alarming failure to take the allegations seriously are simply unacceptable.”

McCaul requested an immediate review by Power.

USAID must prove to the Foreign Affairs Committee how HHRD has not been linked to terrorist groups if the grant is to be considered valid. USAID should provide a report to the Foreign Affairs Committee on the progress of review by January 31, and continue updating the committee thereafter.

USAID must provide all documentation regarding the grant to the committee by February 7, including documents related the review and approval of the grant.

The House Foreign Affairs Committee reviews legislation that has an impact on the diplomatic community. This includes USAID, Peace Corps, the Department of State, and the United Nations.

McCaul was the Chairman of House Committee on Homeland Security in the 113th to 115th Congresses. Prior to Congress, McCaul served as Chief of Counter Terrorism and National Security in the U.S. Attorney’s office, Western District of Texas, and led the Joint Terrorism Task Force.

Samantha Power was the U.S. permanent representation to the United Nations, serving from 2013 to 2017 before being appointed USAID administrator under the Biden administration.

President Obama appointed Power as the National Security Council’s special assistant in 2009. This post she held until 2013.

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