US House passes bill to stop financial aid to Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed new legislation aimed at increasing oversight and restricting financial aid to Afghanistan, specifically to prevent the Islamic Emirate government from gaining access to U.S. taxpayer-funded assistance.

The bill, co-sponsored by Representative Tim Burchett, outlines three core objectives: blocking the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) from accessing financial and material support, increasing transparency around cash assistance programs, and closely monitoring the Afghanistan Trust Fund (ATF) and the Central Bank of Afghanistan.

“This bill is about protecting American resources and ensuring they do not fall into the hands of those who undermine international norms,” Burchett said during floor debate.

The House Foreign Affairs Committee praised the bill as a necessary corrective, referencing reports that millions in aid may have entered Afghanistan with insufficient oversight following the U.S. military withdrawal.

Under the new law, the State Department is required to establish mechanisms to prevent humanitarian aid from being misused and to provide detailed, recurring updates to Congress on these measures.

The Islamic Emirate rejected the bill, calling it interference in Afghanistan’s internal affairs. Spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said the Ministry of Economy administers humanitarian aid with fairness and independence, and accused the U.S. of politicizing relief efforts.

Abdul Latif Nazari, Deputy Minister of Economy, characterized the legislation as part of a broader pressure campaign.

He insisted that Afghanistan’s economy could endure without U.S. assistance, pointing to ongoing efforts toward economic self-sufficiency. Even if the aid stops, our economy will rely on domestic sources, he said.

However, independent analysts warn that any sharp reduction in international aid could significantly undermine humanitarian operations in a country still grappling with high poverty, food insecurity, and economic instability. Several NGOs and aid agencies reliant on U.S. funding have already scaled back operations.

The legislation also signals a more assertive policy shift under President Donald Trump, whose administration has prioritized a security-first, results-driven approach to engagement with Afghanistan.

With declining foreign support and strained diplomatic relations, Afghanistan’s economic future—and its ability to maintain basic services—now faces a period of deep uncertainty.