Increasing Oversight of Aid Sent to Afghanistan (S. 1875)

What is S. 1875?

(Updated March 15, 2018)

This bill seeks to improve oversight of U.S. assistance to Afghanistan while strengthening the Afghan government and combatting corruption. It also aims to address security challenges facing the Afghan government in the wake of U.S. and coalition military personnel withdrawing from the country.

This bill authorizes funding to support anti-corruption programs and audits within the Afghan government. Funding would also go to the Afghan National Security Forces, the country’s police force, and watchdog groups that monitor human rights and civil society in Afghanistan.

Annual reports would be given to Congress and relevant agencies on potential cases of corruption by officials in the Afghan government (or their relatives). The Government Accountability Office (GAO) would report on the U.S. military’s long-term programs to improve coordination between U.S. development agencies, the military, and the Commander’s Emergency Response Program.

The Secretary of State would be asked to develop a multi-year strategy to promote accountability in Afghanistan between federal agencies and the Afghan government.

Argument in favor

America needs to continue to assist the Afghan government and its security forces as they move toward a stable future. That said, the assistance shouldn’t be a blank check. There must be accountability for the aid the U.S. sends.

Argument opposed

There should be a deadline for U.S. assistance to Afghanistan. America has plenty of issues domestically that require funding and additional oversight, and the sooner those dollars going to Afghanistan return home, the better.

Impact

People in Afghanistan, people in the U.S. with ties to Afghanistan, U.S. agencies undertaking development programs in Afghanistan, the U.S. military, the GAO, the Secretary of State, and U.S./Afghanistan diplomatic relations.

Cost of S. 1875

A CBO cost estimate is unavailable.

Additional Info

Of Note: In October 2015, President Obama announced that the U.S. will halt its removal of military troops from Afghanistan. Currently, the 9,800 troops that are already in Afghanistan will stay there for most of 2016. After that, the military presence will drop to 5,500, and stay though early 2017. 

The U.S. and its coalition of NATO allies completed a withdrawal of combat forces from Afghanistan in December 2014, turning over combat duties to Afghan security forces. However, this has led to a resurgence in Taliban activity, leaving the Afghan military and police hard-pressed to keep them in check. Obama noted during his announcement: 

“While America’s combat mission in Afghanistan may be over, our commitment to Afghanistan and its people endures. I will not allow Afghanistan to be used as safe haven for terrorists to attack our nation again.”

Freedom House and Human Rights Watch have noted that the Afghan government has struggled to uphold human rights amidst ongoing corruption by government officials. The Special Inspector General for Afghan Reconstruction recommended that attaching requirements to assistance would help to counteract corruption.