Duval Times

Senator Rick Scott has partnered with Senator Shelley Moore Capito to introduce the Stop Funding Global Terrorists Act. This proposed legislation aims to prevent U.S. taxpayer dollars from inadvertently supporting the Taliban or other terrorist organizations through United Nations funding allocated for Afghanistan.

The bill stipulates that U.S. contributions to the UN for Afghan assistance will be halted until the State Department certifies to Congress that no American funds are part of UN cash shipments into Afghanistan and that no designated terrorist organizations will receive any funds from these contributions. The bill is co-sponsored by Senators Tom Cotton, Katie Britt, Bill Cassidy, Ted Cruz, Marsha Blackburn, Thom Tillis, and Tim Scott.

Senator Rick Scott expressed concerns about the UN's financial oversight, stating, “The United Nations has an alarming habit of allowing funds to flow to terrorists and bad actors that don't align with the United States’ values and wish to bring harm to the free world.” He emphasized that U.S. tax dollars should not reach the Taliban or similar groups through UN channels.

Senator Shelley Moore Capito highlighted public sentiment against funding terrorism: “The American people do not support their taxpayer dollars funding terrorism.” She underscored the need for accountability in U.S. funds sent to Afghanistan and criticized the Taliban regime's treatment of women and girls.

A report by John F. Spoko from May 2024 indicated that at least $10.9 million in U.S. taxpayer money had been redirected to the Taliban. This figure is believed to be a small portion of total U.S. aid potentially reaching them due to inadequate data collection by UN agencies on subawardee payments.

From October 2021 through September 2023, the UN received $1.6 billion in U.S. funding for Afghanistan programs, accounting for approximately 63% of all American aid during this period. Testimony given in March 2024 before the House Foreign Affairs Committee detailed how the Taliban manipulated aid distribution for their benefit.