Secretary of State Antony Blinken faced intense questioning from Republican lawmakers during a contentious House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing.
According to Fox News, Representative Brian Mast, the incoming chair of the House Foreign Relations Committee, sharply criticized Blinken over billions in U.S. taxpayer funds sent to Afghanistan since the Taliban takeover.
The hearing, which took place under the threat of a contempt of Congress vote, saw Mast highlight specific funding allocations, including $14.9 million for carpet weaving programs and $280 million in UN cash transfers for food assistance. He emphasized the absence of direct American agricultural aid, noting that instead of sending crops from U.S. states, the administration opted for cash transfers.
The confrontation revealed detailed figures about U.S. spending in Afghanistan since the withdrawal. A significant portion included $3.5 billion transferred to the Afghan fund for macroeconomic stability and $9 billion spent on resettling approximately 90,000 Afghan refugees in the United States.
Mast, addressing Blinken's presence, pointed out that the Secretary had not visited Afghanistan since the tragic suicide bombing at Hamid Karzai International Airport that claimed the lives of 13 U.S. service members and roughly 170 Afghan civilians. This acknowledgment added weight to his criticism about remote fund management.
Representative Joe Wilson contributed to the discussion by highlighting the Taliban's severe restrictions on women's rights, questioning the effectiveness of programs like the $75 million initiative to teach women farming skills under such oppressive conditions.
Mast delivered his critique of the current aid system, stating:
There's an American citizen out there, literally woke up this morning losing 30% of their paycheck. And a good percentage of that is going to the Taliban or other programs abroad.
Blinken defended the administration's approach, explaining that aid distribution occurs through international partners and NGOs. However, Mast countered this defense by referencing past instances of misrepresented fund usage, including a recently uncovered case involving a $500,000 grant in Nepal.
The heated exchange highlighted the ongoing challenges of providing humanitarian assistance while ensuring accountability in a region where the U.S. lacks a direct diplomatic presence. The absence of an American embassy in Afghanistan emerged as a central point in questioning the wisdom of continued financial support.
In response to the criticism, Secretary Blinken maintained his position on the necessity of humanitarian aid, stating:
The work we have done through these partners, and many other countries have done, has saved many, many lives in an incredibly difficult situation.
The hearing explored the complex balance between providing necessary humanitarian assistance and maintaining oversight of U.S. taxpayer funds in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. The discussion revealed significant concerns about fund allocation and verification mechanisms.
The congressional hearing laid bare the ongoing tension between the Biden administration and Republican lawmakers over Afghanistan policy. Representative Brian Mast's aggressive questioning of Secretary Blinken highlighted concerns about billions in U.S. aid flowing into Taliban-controlled Afghanistan without proper oversight.
The debate over aid distribution and accountability continues as the House Foreign Relations Committee prepares for new leadership, with implications for future U.S. humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan under Taliban rule.
