Congressional Hearing Reveals Misuse of Foreign Assistance Funds

The Subcommittee on Oversight and Accountability recently held a hearing on the misuse of foreign assistance funds that supported drag shows in Ecuador and atheism in Nepal. They discussed how to return to the proper use of foreign assistance for the benefit of America’s National Security.

Mr. Robert Destro, the Former Assistant Secretary at the U.S. Department of State, testified that neither Congress nor the President effectively controls the funds, but that it is the federal agencies handling foreign assistance funds that are taking charge of foreign policy. The U.S. Constitution puts the President in charge of foreign policy, but the lack of transparency allows the agencies to push their own agenda.  

Chairman Mast asked whether tax-funded drag shows in Ecuador and promoting atheism in Nepal were outlier examples of how federal funds are being used or whether they are just the tip of the iceberg. The witnesses who served in the State Department said it was impossible to know. While Mr. Destro asked the State Department to build a real-time database to help track where it was spending the funds, he eventually admitted that “The fact of the matter is, Mr. Mast, we don't know the answer to your question because the information is opaque and unavailable”.

On the topic of misinformation and disinformation, Mr. Destro added that Congress is funding and maintaining a vast “counter state” with its censorship programs to limit freedom of speech and religion at home and abroad, and its noxious theories about racial and cultural identity. Mr. Destro said the Counter State has no interest in releasing “That data [because it] is pretty inconvenient. It will cause an uproar in the countries if the information gets out.

With this lack of transparency, suspicion of America meddling in other countries' domestic policies is increasing. The latest example is the country of Georgia. All governments, including ours, are suspicious of individuals and organizations operating within their territories while serving the interests of someone else.

Mr. James Richardson, the former Director of the Office of Foreign Assistance at the U.S. Department of State added that foreign assistance should enhance our foreign policy and economic goals but that it should  “never be used to advance ideological or personal agendas. It should only be used to advance the national security goals of the United States.”

Mr. Richardson referenced the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 as a positive example of foreign policy which provided economic and military assistance to countries around the world and is relevant until today. This act was a continuation of the Marshall Plan, which had provided significant aid to Europe following World War II. The United States has a long history of connecting foreign assistance to National Security.

The hearing highlighted that all these sacrifices of the American people could be devalued if we continue undermining our closest allies, promoting activities inconsistent with the culture or religion of partner nations, and funding projects that do not advance America’s national security interests.

Emmanuele Da Ponte

Emmanuele Da Ponte joined the Center for Family and Human Rights (C-Fam) in the summer of 2023 as the Associate Director of Government Relations. He has two Bachelor of Arts degrees in Philosophy and History of the Social Sciences. His main focus is advising and building relationships with Congress and the United Nations to promote truly just legislation that defends and uphold human dignity and family rights.

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