Rep. Andy Barr (R-Ky.) in the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
OAN Newsroom
UPDATED 2:43 PM PT – Tuesday, September 14, 2021
Amid growing concern over Americans still stuck behind enemy lines, House Republicans have urged the Biden administration to maintain sanctions against the Taliban. 21 GOP lawmakers sent a letter to the United Nations ambassador on Tuesday, in which they expressed concern over U.S. losing its leverage to rescue stranded Americans by allowing unchecked international aid to flow into Afghanistan.
Republicans added the U.S. must maintain the travel ban, arms embargo and asset freeze against the terror group, as reports have indicated the U.S. would also send $64 million in aid.
I’m horrified that the Biden Administration would even consider supporting lifting UN sanctions on the Taliban. This cannot stand.
Joined my @HouseGOP colleagues in demanding immediate answers: pic.twitter.com/Wd9JvAtfgK
— Rep. Mark Green (@RepMarkGreen) September 14, 2021
The U.N. promised $1.7 billion to Afghanistan on Monday, which prompted GOP concern of legitimizing the Taliban. However, U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres claimed a humanitarian crisis would be far worse and only benefit terrorists in the long run.
“The people of Afghanistan need a lifeline. After decades of war, suffering and insecurity, they face perhaps their most perilous hour,” he stated. “Now is the time for the international community to stand with them and let us be clear, this conference is not simply about what we will give to the people of Afghanistan. It is about what we owe.”
This comes as Secretary of State Antony Blinken told lawmakers the U.S. would maintain sanctions against the Taliban even amid growing concern the money would fall into the hands of the terrorists.
