House Passes “No Tax Dollars for Terrorists” Bill to Cut Off Taliban Funding

A Republican-led House of Representatives has approved legislation aimed at preventing foreign governments and nonprofit organizations from funneling money or resources to the Taliban. The measure, called the No Tax Dollars for Terrorists Act (H.R. 260), passed unanimously and now heads to the Senate for further consideration.

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What the Bill Does

H.R. 260 makes U.S. foreign policy formal in its opposition to aid given to the Taliban by foreign nations or NGOs, especially when those entities also receive American assistance. It requires the Secretary of State to craft and put in place a strategy to ensure that U.S. aid is not indirectly helping the Afghan Taliban through other intermediaries.

Under the bill:

• The State Department must report to Congress on which foreign governments and NGOs are giving help to the Taliban and the nature of that assistance.

• A plan must be developed and executed to discourage any outside entities from supporting the Taliban.

• Special attention is to be paid to programs funded by the U.S., especially cash‑assistance efforts, and mechanisms for oversight must be identified to prevent diversion of aid.

• There will also be periodic reporting on the status of the Afghan Fund (set up to hold money from Afghanistan’s central bank) and how much influence the Taliban might have over it.

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Why Lawmakers Backed It

Rep. Tim Burchett (R‑TN), who proposed the bill, argued that reports from Afghans opposing Taliban rule suggest that much of the foreign aid sent to Afghanistan ends up under Taliban control. He said the U.S. should not allow organizations or countries receiving U.S. funds to contribute to a government it considers a terrorist regime.

The bill earned broad bipartisan support in the House. Rep. Jonathan Jackson (D‑IL) praised the shared backing but criticized the current administration for not offering a clear Afghan policy, stating more transparency is needed.

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What’s Next

Having passed the House by voice vote without objection, the bill moves to the Senate, where its fate is uncertain. It has been referred there and is being considered in the relevant committee.

If the Senate approves it and the President signs it into law, the United States will be legally required to monitor and report on foreign aid flows that may benefit the Taliban, and to take steps to prevent those flows.

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Implications and Concerns

Supporters say this bill could help tighten U.S. oversight of foreign assistance and close loopholes that may allow indirect support for extremist groups. It also signals a shift toward stricter accountability for governments and NGOs receiving U.S. funds.

Critics worry about how the law will be implemented—how foreign assistance will be tracked, how the U.S. will determine whether organizations are complicit, and whether this could lead to diplomatic friction or unintended consequences for humanitarian aid.

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Broader Context

The legislation comes amid debates over U.S. involvement in Afghanistan and ongoing concerns about how much influence the Taliban has in various aspects of governance, finance, and international relations. It reflects growing pressure from some lawmakers to ensure foreign aid is not misused or manipulated.

In sum, the No Tax Dollars for Terrorists Act represents a formal congressional effort to close potential funding leaks to the Taliban, demand transparency, and enforce stricter rules around foreign aid itself. Whether it becomes law and how it will be enforced remains to be seen.