No Tax Dollars for Terrorists Act

Bill Number: H.R. 260
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 1
Policy Area: International Affairs
Status: Passed House
Latest Action: 2026-02-10: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 330.
Last Updated: 2026-07-11T02:43:23Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

This bill, titled the "No Tax Dollars for Terrorists Act," aims to prevent U.S. taxpayer funds from indirectly supporting the Taliban (an Islamist militant group controlling Afghanistan since 2021) by opposing foreign aid to the group from other countries and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). It establishes U.S. policy to review and potentially cut U.S. aid to entities that support the Taliban, while promoting oversight of U.S. aid programs in Afghanistan and supporting Afghan civilians without benefiting the Taliban.

Key Provisions

U.S. Policy Statement (Section 2(a)): Declares it U.S. policy to oppose aid to the Taliban from foreign countries and NGOs, especially those receiving U.S. aid, and to review U.S. aid to such supporters.
Initial Report on Aid Providers (Section 2(b)): Within 180 days of enactment, the Secretary of State must report to Congress on countries and NGOs providing aid to the Taliban, including amounts of U.S. aid they receive, aid given to the Taliban, and how the Taliban uses it. The report also covers U.S. efforts since August 2021 to counter such aid.
Strategy to Discourage Aid (Section 2(c)): Within 180 days, the Secretary of State must develop and implement a strategy to deter foreign aid to the Taliban. This includes supporting Afghan women and girls affected by Taliban restrictions (without aiding the Taliban) and relocating vetted at-risk Afghans and allies to the U.S. or third countries.
Related Reports: An initial report on the strategy; follow-up reports every 180 days for 5 years on implementation and impact; and a 30-day report on the termination of bounties (rewards for information leading to capture) on Haqqani Network leaders under the Rewards for Justice program (a U.S. State Department initiative). The Haqqani Network is a Taliban-affiliated militant group designated as a foreign terrorist organization. This report covers bounty status, terrorist designations, U.S. engagements with the network since September 2021, and any new evidence of attacks on U.S. targets.
Suspension of U.S. Aid (Section 2(d)): The Secretary of State must immediately suspend all U.S. foreign aid to any country or NGO determined to have provided assistance to the Taliban.
Report on Direct Cash Assistance (Section 3): Within 90 days, the Secretary of State must report on U.S.-funded cash aid programs in Afghanistan since August 2021, covering partners, payment methods, currency exchanges, use of hawala (an informal money transfer system via brokers), oversight to block Taliban access, and concealment of recipients' personal information.
Reports on Afghan Fund (Section 4(a)-(b)): Starting 90 days after enactment and every 180 days for 5 years, the Secretaries of State and Treasury must report on the Afghan Fund (a mechanism to hold and disburse frozen Afghan assets). Reports include Taliban influence on Da Afghanistan Bank (Afghanistan's central bank), fund trustees' vetting, release conditions, decision-making processes, and safeguards against Taliban misuse.
Rescission of Unobligated Funds (Section 4(c)): Cancels all unobligated (unspent) balances from various U.S. aid accounts for Afghan reconstruction (e.g., Afghanistan Security Forces Fund, Economic Support Fund) and redirects them to the U.S. Treasury for deficit reduction.
Sense of Congress (Section 5): Expresses that the U.S. should not normalize diplomatic ties with the Taliban until it expels al-Qaeda and other terrorists, stops detaining U.S. citizens and Afghan allies, and reverses policies restricting women's rights, free expression, and minority protections (e.g., for Hazaras, an ethnic group).
Definitions (Section 6): Specifies "appropriate congressional committees" as the House and Senate Committees on Foreign Affairs/Relations and Appropriations.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

Introduces mandatory reporting, strategy development, and aid suspension requirements not previously required by law, building on existing anti-terrorism authorities like terrorist designations and the Rewards for Justice program.
Adds rescission of unobligated funds from multiple aid accounts, which could reduce future spending on Afghan programs without new appropriations.
Expands oversight of cash aid and the Afghan Fund, including specific protections for recipient privacy and anti-Taliban safeguards, which were not statutorily detailed before.
The "sense of Congress" provision is non-binding but signals a policy shift against Taliban engagement, potentially influencing executive actions under existing foreign policy laws.

Potential Impacts

Government Agencies: Increases workload for the State Department (reports, strategy implementation, aid suspensions) and Treasury (fund oversight), requiring interagency coordination. Rescission could free up budget resources but limit flexibility for future Afghan aid.
Citizens: U.S. taxpayers benefit from deficit reduction via rescinded funds (potentially billions, depending on balances). Afghan allies and at-risk individuals may gain from relocation efforts, while women and girls could see indirect support through targeted programs.
International Relations: May strain ties with countries or NGOs reliant on U.S. aid if suspensions occur, pressuring allies (e.g., those providing Taliban aid) to align with U.S. policy. Reinforces U.S. isolation of the Taliban globally but could complicate humanitarian efforts in Afghanistan.

Main Stakeholders Affected

U.S. Government: State Department, Treasury Department, and congressional committees overseeing foreign aid and relations.
Foreign Entities: Countries and NGOs receiving U.S. aid that might support the Taliban, facing potential cuts.
Afghan Stakeholders: The Taliban (targeted for isolation), Afghan women/girls and minorities (potential beneficiaries of support), at-risk Afghans/U.S. allies (eligible for relocation), and Da Afghanistan Bank (subject to scrutiny).
U.S. Public and Allies: Taxpayers (via deficit reduction and anti-terrorism measures) and international partners in counter-terrorism efforts.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Legal: Enhances enforcement of existing sanctions and terrorist financing laws (e.g., under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act) by mandating aid reviews and suspensions. Reports must balance unclassified disclosure with classified annexes to protect national security. Rescission complies with congressional budget authority but could face challenges if seen as impeding executive foreign policy.
Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's power of the purse (Article I) to control appropriations and oversee executive foreign affairs, potentially checking presidential discretion on Afghanistan policy.
Political: Signals bipartisan concern over post-2021 Afghanistan withdrawal, emphasizing human rights and counter-terrorism. The non-binding "sense of Congress" could influence future administrations against Taliban recognition, but aid suspensions might spark debates on humanitarian vs. security priorities. No direct impact on free speech or civil liberties, though relocation efforts involve vetting processes.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Burchett, Tim [R-TN-2]

Cosponsors (27)

Rep. Greene, Marjorie Taylor [R-GA-14], Rep. Mace, Nancy [R-SC-1], Rep. Barrett, Tom [R-MI-7], Rep. Weber, Randy K. Sr. [R-TX-14], Rep. Biggs, Andy [R-AZ-5], Rep. Luna, Anna Paulina [R-FL-13], Rep. Crenshaw, Dan [R-TX-2], Rep. Buchanan, Vern [R-FL-16], Rep. McCaul, Michael T. [R-TX-10], Rep. De La Cruz, Monica [R-TX-15], Rep. Boebert, Lauren [R-CO-4], Rep. Mills, Cory [R-FL-7], Rep. Tenney, Claudia [R-NY-24], Rep. Norman, Ralph [R-SC-5], Rep. Hamadeh, Abraham [R-AZ-8], Rep. Crane, Elijah [R-AZ-2], Rep. McDowell, Addison [R-NC-6], Rep. Baird, James R. [R-IN-4], Rep. McCormick, Richard [R-GA-7], Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17], Rep. Self, Keith [R-TX-3], Rep. Van Orden, Derrick [R-WI-3], Rep. Davidson, Warren [R-OH-8], Rep. Baumgartner, Michael [R-WA-5], Rep. Pfluger, August [R-TX-11], Rep. Burlison, Eric [R-MO-7], Rep. Fine, Randy [R-FL-6]

Recent Actions

2026-02-10: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 330.
2026-02-10: Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Risch with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
2026-02-10: Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Risch with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
2026-01-29: Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
2025-06-24: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
2025-06-23: The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
2025-06-23: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2025-06-23: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2843-2844)
2025-06-23: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2843-2844)
2025-06-23: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 260.
2025-06-23: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2843-2845)
2025-06-23: Mr. Burchett moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
2025-04-09: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
2025-04-09: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
2025-01-09: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Bill Versions

No Tax Dollars for Terrorists Act — issued 2025-06-23 — PDF (10 pages)
No Tax Dollars for Terrorists Act — issued 2025-01-09 — PDF (7 pages)
No Tax Dollars for Terrorists Act — issued 2025-06-24 — PDF (9 pages)
No Tax Dollars for Terrorists Act — issued 2026-02-10 — PDF (20 pages)

Related Bills

S. 226 (119th Congress)