Photo: @RepLuna

U.S. Congresswoman Calls for Halting American Taxpayer Funds to the Taliban

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – U.S. Congresswoman Ana Paulina Luna has called for an immediate halt to any financial assistance reaching the Taliban, stating that the group should not receive “a single penny” of American taxpayer money.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Luna criticized the current situation, writing: “We are funneling $40 million a week to the Taliban—the very group that threatens our sovereignty and security.”

Luna voiced her support for a bill introduced by fellow Congressman Tim Burchett, aimed at cutting U.S. financial aid to the Taliban.

The legislation, titled “No Tax Dollars for Terrorists,” would mandate that the U.S. Department of State establish a policy to prevent U.S. taxpayer funds from reaching the Taliban.

Burchett, a key proponent of the bill, explained that the aim is to stop the Taliban from accessing any U.S. financial assistance. In a recent letter to President-elect Donald Trump, Burchett expressed his concerns about U.S. aid potentially benefiting the Taliban, calling for a united effort to halt such transfers.

Trump has weighed in on the issue, telling a press conference that the U.S. had sent “billions” of dollars to the Taliban in Afghanistan, an action he called “unbelievable.”

However, the Taliban has claimed that it has not received any aid from the U.S.

Despite these denials, the U.S. remains the largest donor to Afghanistan since the Taliban’s takeover in August 2021, contributing more than $3 billion in humanitarian aid, according to the U.S. Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR).

While the United Nations has stated that these funds are strictly allocated for humanitarian purposes and are kept beyond the Taliban’s control, concerns remain about the possibility that some of this aid could ultimately benefit the group, potentially funding terrorism or its military activities.