Senator Joni Ernst criticizes USAID’s $20 million funding for an Iraqi version of “Sesame Street” as wasteful. She highlights ineffective spending in Afghanistan, Morocco, and research funding linked to COVID-19 origins. These critiques come amid scrutiny from Elon Musk’s DOGE, signaling ongoing concerns about taxpayer dollar allocation.
Senator Joni Ernst from Iowa has publicly criticized the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), labeling its financial practices as “wasteful and dangerous.” She specifically referenced a $20 million project to create a version of “Sesame Street” in Iraq, aimed at promoting inclusivity among diverse ethnic and religious groups as the country stabilizes post-conflict.
Under the Biden administration, USAID funded the non-profit Sesame Workshop to produce “Ahlan Simsim Iraq,” a children’s show meant to foster mutual understanding. This initiative reflects efforts to address the legacy of violence, particularly affecting children from marginalized communities in Iraq. USAID’s website highlights that economic instability and social fragmentation have heightened the risk of radicalization among youth.
Ernst further criticized USAID’s financial allocation by pointing to past failures, such as millions spent to shift Afghan farmers from opium to food crops, which resulted in an unexpected increase in opium cultivation during the war. USAID’s attempts to improve irrigation in Afghanistan were similarly unsuccessful, with farmers using these systems for poppy cultivation.
Another example mentioned is a $2 million investment in Moroccan pottery classes, which faced significant challenges due to communication barriers between the American instructor and Moroccan artists. Ernst’s report highlights a history of ineffective spending practices that have garnered bipartisan scrutiny over the years.
Moreover, Ernst condemned USAID’s $1 million funding for research on coronaviruses at the Wuhan Institute of Virology, a facility linked to the origins of COVID-19. This funding occurred despite existing safety concerns about research conducted at this site, raising alarms over taxpayer dollars directed to potentially problematic institutions.
Ernst also pointed out funds spent on tourism and fashion, like the $2 million earmarked for promoting tourism in Lebanon, a country with serious travel advisories for American citizens. She noted the absurdity of using taxpayer money on extravagant events rather than addressing domestic priorities.
The scrutiny intensified under the budding influence of Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), with calls for improved accountability of taxpayer money overseas, highlighted by incoming Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
In response to these critiques, some Democrats, including Rep. Ilhan Omar, labeled the attacks on USAID as politically motivated, framing them as moves toward authoritarianism under the Trump administration. Amid these discussions, the future of USAID remains uncertain amidst ongoing debates about its effectiveness.
The article covers recent criticisms directed at USAID from Senator Joni Ernst regarding the agency’s spending practices. Ernst’s comments highlight a perceived history of misallocated funds on projects deemed frivolous or ineffective, including attempts to redirect funds to service industry shifts in war-torn countries. The narrative sheds light on the scrutiny surrounding government spending and initiatives that span multiple administrations, reflecting broader criticisms of foreign aid and accountability mechanisms in place.
The criticism of USAID by Senator Ernst underscores a growing concern over taxpayer spending on international aid projects that may lack strategic focus or effectiveness. Key issues raised include funding to the Wuhan Institute and failed attempts to shift Afghan farming practices. As debates intensify over the agency’s appropriations, it remains a focal point for discussions about foreign policy, national security, and fiscal responsibility.
Original Source: www.foxnews.com
