Washington, D.C. – U.S. Congressman Scott Perry has alleged that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has been funding terrorist organizations, including Boko Haram.
Perry, a Republican representing Pennsylvania, made the claim on Thursday during the inaugural hearing of the Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency.
The session, titled “The War on Waste: Stamping Out the Scourge of Improper Payments and Fraud,” focused on alleged misappropriations of taxpayer funds.
Perry raised concerns over the destination of U.S. foreign aid, stating that USAID’s annual budget of $697 million was being funneled to extremist groups.
“Who gets some of that money? Does that name ring a bell to anybody in the room? Because your money, your money, $697 million annually, plus the shipments of cash funds in Madrasas, ISIS, Al-Qaeda, Boko Haram, ISIS Khorasan, terrorist training camps. That’s what it’s funding,” Perry claimed during the hearing.
The subcommittee, according to its website, aims to work with former President Donald Trump’s proposed Department of Government Efficiency to root out waste, tighten payment systems, and investigate fraudulent uses of taxpayer money.
Concerns Over Transparency in U.S. Foreign Aid
During his remarks, Perry also criticized USAID’s financial commitments to educational initiatives in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
He alleged that the agency had allocated $136 million to build 120 schools in Pakistan, yet there was “zero evidence” of the schools’ construction.
“USAID spent $840 million in the last 20 years on Pakistan’s education-related programs. It includes $136 million to build 120 schools, of which there is zero evidence that any of them were built. Why would there be any evidence? The Inspector General can’t get in to see them,” Perry stated.
He further questioned the legitimacy of USAID’s scholarship programs aimed at empowering Afghan women, particularly in light of the Taliban’s strict control over female education and public presence.
“If you think that the program under Operation Enduring Sentinel entitled Women’s Scholarship Endowment, which receives $60 million annually, or the Young Women Lead, which gets about $5 million annually, is going to women who, by the way, if you read the Inspector General’s report, is telling you that the Taliban does not allow women to speak in public, yet somehow you’re believing, and the American people are supposed to believe, that this money is going for the betterment of the women in Afghanistan. It is not,” Perry argued.
Implications of Perry’s Claims
Perry’s remarks add to ongoing concerns regarding U.S. foreign aid oversight, particularly in conflict zones where terrorist organizations operate. His claims, however, have not been independently verified, and USAID has yet to respond publicly to the allegations.
The issue of financial accountability in U.S. aid programs remains a contentious topic in Washington, with lawmakers divided on whether funding should continue in countries where transparency and security risks exist.
As the subcommittee continues its hearings, the allegations against USAID are expected to draw further scrutiny, potentially leading to calls for increased oversight and audits of the agency’s spending practices.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
