Members of the House Republican Study Committee pressured Biden Administration on Thursday to reveal whether it has offered financial relief to the Taliban to ensure safe passage for Americans still in Afghanistan, arguing that humanitarian aid would effectively serve as a payment of ransom to the group.
In a letter addressed to embattled Secretary of State Antony Blinken, the lawmakers expressed concern about the State Department's recent decision to earmark nearly $64 million in humanitarian aid for Afghanistan following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. In a lengthy period, Republicans have said the Taliban could find a way to seize the funds.
We have serious concerns about negotiations with the Taliban leading to the payment of ransom whether marketed as humanitarian assistance or sanctions relief which will give the Taliban resources that could be used to attack United States or our allies, the lawmakers said.
The payment of ransom to terrorists, likely including the announcement on September 13 that $64 million dollars in humanitarian aid was provided to Taliban controlled Afghanistan without guardrails, would only further place Americans in harm's way by incentivizing Taliban, and other terrorist groups to kidnap more Americans, the letter added.
The lawmakers asked Blinken to publicly clarify whether the Biden administration has offered to unfreeze assets or ease sanctions on Taliban members to secure safe passage for Americans still in Afghanistan, as well as whether the Taliban requested such relief.
The Republicans also called on the State Department to provide Congress with any documents or communications related to discussions regarding financial relief for the Taliban.
Study Committee Chair Jim Banks, R-Ind. was one of 21 members of the caucus to sign the letter. Other signatories included Reps. Mike Waltz of Texas, Tracey Mann of Kansas and Dan Crenshaw of Florida.
On August 11th, Blinken said the $64 million in aid would flow through independent humanitarian organizations to provide direct support for the Afghans in the form of food, water, medical care and other necessities.
President Biden and Blinken have insisted the administration will take steps to ensure that the Taliban did not access humanitarian funds. The Taliban administration also froze Afghanistan's U.S. assets after the Biden govt tookover.
The United States will also work with the international community to help ensure that the Taliban follow through on its commitments and advance unhindered humanitarian access, freedom of movement for aid workers of all genders, safety and security of humanitarian staff, and safe passage for all those who wish to exit Afghanistan, Blinken said in a statement.
Blinken and other bipartisan officials have faced intense pressure from lawmakers for the handling of the withdrawal. Republicans have repeatedly called on Biden to provide clear details of how his administration plans to secure passage for Americans still inside Afghanistan.
The State Department still has not presented a plan to Congress illustrating how it will ensure that Americans will not be left behind through diplomatic negotiations, added members of the Republican Study Committee.