Charleston Leader

U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito has introduced the Stop Funding Global Terrorists Act, a bill aimed at preventing U.S. taxpayer dollars from indirectly funding terrorist organizations through United Nations assistance to Afghanistan. The legislation requires certification from the State Department to Congress that no U.S. funds are included in UN cash shipments into Afghanistan and that no designated terrorist organizations receive funds via these contributions.

Senator Capito stated, "The American people do not support their taxpayer dollars funding terrorism," emphasizing her commitment to ensuring U.S. funds are not misused by the Taliban, which she described as a "repressive regime."

This move follows a November 2024 announcement by the UN regarding plans to unlock climate funding for development projects in Afghanistan despite ongoing repression by the Taliban. In response, Senator Capito expressed her disapproval on social media.

A report from May 2024 by John F. Spoko, Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR), highlighted that at least $10.9 million of U.S. taxpayer money had been diverted to the Taliban. SIGAR noted this figure is likely only a fraction of the total amount redirected due to insufficient data collection by UN agencies.

From October 2021 through September 2023, approximately $1.6 billion in U.S. funding was provided to UN programs in Afghanistan, representing about 63% of all U.S. aid during that period.

The bill is cosponsored by Senators Tom Cotton, Katie Britt, Bill Cassidy, Rick Scott, Ted Cruz, Marsha Blackburn, Thom Tillis, and Tim Scott.