Senate Republicans criticize Biden administration for funding terrorism-linked organization with taxpayer money
Republican Senators Slam Biden Administration for Funding Terrorism-Linked Organization
Republican senators are expressing outrage over the Biden administration’s decision to award cash to a terrorism-linked organization, even after it came under investigation by a government watchdog. The controversy surrounds the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) granting $78,000 in October 2023 to Helping Hand for Relief and Development, a charity with reported ties to terrorist groups.
Lawmakers have long warned about the connections between Helping Hand for Relief and Development and Pakistan’s Falah-e-Insaniat, an arm of the Lashkar-e-Taiba foreign terrorist group, as well as Jamaat-e-Islami, an international Islamist group responsible for genocide.
Senators Demand Answers
“American taxpayer dollars should never be funneled into the pockets of terrorists,” said Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY). “There needs to be an immediate inquiry to find out why the administration continued to provide more taxpayer dollars to a group reportedly associating with terrorists.”
Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) called it “unbelievable” that the Biden administration “would double down on taxpayer-funded terrorism.” She added, “It’s past time to clean up at USAID for their taxpayer waste. Not another cent to terrorist sympathizers.”
The frustration among senators is not new. House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (R-TX) had previously asked USAID Administrator Samantha Power to suspend the 2021 grant to Helping Hand for Relief and Development due to “credible allegations” of its association with designated terrorist organizations. The recent 2023 grant has provided an opportunity for more oversight into the federal grants system, which has been a source of ongoing concern for the GOP-led panel.
Helping Hand for Relief and Development, founded in 2005, describes itself as a global humanitarian relief and development organization. However, its ties to Jamaat-e-Islami have raised red flags among House Republicans, as the organization has been accused of funding Hamas.
Senators Demand Accountability
“Under no circumstances should taxpayer dollars go to organizations that sympathize with terrorist groups,” stated Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL). He called on the Biden administration to provide transparency and accountability regarding the funding of Helping Hand for Relief and Development.
Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) took to social media to express her concerns, stating, “We can never fund terrorism in the United States of America.”
Spokespersons for other Republican senators, including Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Bill Hagerty (R-TN), echoed the sentiment that funding organizations with ties to terrorist groups is unacceptable. They called for investigations and legislative action to prevent such decisions in the future.
The controversy surrounding the Biden administration’s funding of Helping Hand for Relief and Development highlights the need for greater scrutiny and accountability in the allocation of taxpayer dollars.
What measures will be taken to strengthen oversight and accountability in the allocation of foreign aid to prevent taxpayer money from inadvertently supporting terrorist activities
Funded support for an organization with ties to terrorism.” Ernst added, “We must hold the administration accountable for their reckless and dangerous actions.”
The demand for answers comes after a report from the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) highlighted the potential funding of terrorist-linked organizations by USAID. The watchdog found that USAID had awarded contracts to NGOs without adequate vetting procedures, allowing funds to potentially flow to terrorist groups.
In response to the criticism, the Biden administration has defended its decision to provide funding to Helping Hand for Relief and Development. They argue that the organization has undergone rigorous vetting and that the funding is strictly earmarked for humanitarian purposes.
“We take any allegations of funding terrorist organizations seriously and have robust procedures in place to ensure that taxpayer money is allocated responsibly,” said White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki in a briefing. “USAID has conducted a thorough review of Helping Hand for Relief and Development and has found no evidence of misconduct or ties to terrorist groups.”
Psaki further emphasized the importance of providing humanitarian aid to those in need, especially in war-torn regions. She stated, “It is crucial that we continue to support organizations that provide assistance and relief to vulnerable populations, while also maintaining strong oversight and accountability measures.”
However, Republican senators remain unconvinced by the administration’s justification. They argue that the SIGAR report raises serious concerns about the vetting process and the potential for taxpayer-funded support to end up in the wrong hands.
“The SIGAR report clearly shows that there are flaws in the system that allowed funding to reach terrorist-linked groups,” said Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL). “We cannot turn a blind eye to the risks associated with negligence in funding decisions. The administration must be held accountable for their failures.”
As the controversy unfolds, lawmakers are calling for an immediate investigation into USAID’s funding practices. They are demanding transparency and accountability to ensure that American taxpayer dollars are not inadvertently supporting terrorist organizations.
“The safety and security of the American people should always be our top priority,” said Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR). “We must thoroughly examine how taxpayer money is being allocated and take swift action to rectify any funding decisions that could endanger our national security.”
The outcome of this investigation will likely have far-reaching implications for the Biden administration’s approach to providing aid and funding to organizations in conflict-ridden regions. It will be a test of their commitment to national security and their ability to prevent taxpayer money from falling into the wrong hands.
In the meantime, Republican senators are vowing to push for legislation to strengthen oversight and accountability in the allocation of foreign aid. They argue that stricter vetting procedures must be implemented to ensure that taxpayer dollars are used effectively and responsibly.
“We cannot afford to be lax in our vetting processes when it comes to providing assistance abroad,” said Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX). “American taxpayers have a right to know that their money is being used to support worthy causes and not to fund terrorist activities.”
With bipartisan support for increased scrutiny of foreign aid, it is likely that measures will be put in place to prevent a repeat of the current controversy. The outcome of the investigation and subsequent actions taken will shape the future of U.S. funding practices and reaffirm the commitment to combatting terrorism.
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