Strategy to Oppose Financial or Material Support By Foreign Countries to the Taliban

Floor Speech

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Mr. STANTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 6586, and I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, even several years after our withdrawal, the United States continues to have important interests in Afghanistan, not only ensuring it is never again used as a base for terrorists to plan attacks against the United States but also keeping our commitment to the Afghan people.

Keeping that commitment means continuing to advocate for a more inclusive government that respects human rights, particularly for women and girls. It means that we continue humanitarian assistance to support the Afghan people, and it means that we never forget that too many Afghans who supported our decades-long mission are there.

The reports and strategy included in this legislation address the important issue of how we can prevent the erosion of our tools to influence Taliban behavior without a presence on the ground. We must ensure our assistance is not diverted or misused and that the international community remains unified in insisting that the Taliban fulfills their commitment and improves their record, particularly on human rights, before they can receive international recognition. We must ensure that the Afghan Fund, which holds the former assets of the Afghan central bank, is used for the benefit of the Afghan people.

I thank Mr. Burchett and Chairman McCaul for their collaboration with the Foreign Affairs Committee minority staff to improve this legislation, particularly in clarifying that what we are looking to address are actions that are inconsistent with U.S. law and policy. For example, we have made exceptions in sanctions against the Taliban to allow for the continued delivery of humanitarian aid, which supports our interests.

I hope that the reports mandated by this bill will offer valuable insights and assurances about our continued engagement in Afghanistan.

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Mr. STANTON. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time that I am aware of, and I yield myself the balance of my time for the purpose of closing.

Mr. Speaker, this legislation is critical for preserving the United States' ability to influence the Taliban and keep our commitments to the Afghan people.

Again, I thank Mr. Burchett and Mr. McCaul for working with the House Foreign Affairs Committee minority to ensure that this bill remains aligned with our values and aligned with our larger policy goals in Afghanistan.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this measure, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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