Knox Times

Rep. Tim Burchett of Tennessee is set to address the press on Tuesday regarding H.R. 260, known as the No Tax Dollars for Terrorists Act. The bill has garnered support in the Senate from Senators Tim Sheehy of Montana, Tommy Tuberville of Alabama, and Bill Hagerty of Tennessee.

The press conference is scheduled for 3:15 p.m. ET at the House Triangle on February 25th, 2025.

"There's been a lot of work done on this bill, and I couldn't have raised the issue without the help of Shawn Ryan and Legend. It's sickening, to be honest, and American taxpayers want this stamped out. This legislation has been sat on long enough. We need to move this through both chambers and get it to President Trump's desk," said Rep. Burchett.

Shawn Ryan expressed his backing for the bill: "I'm proud to fully support Representative Tim Burchett's bill H.R. 260—the No Tax Dollars for Terrorists Act. This bill reflects the frustration of Americans tired of seeing their money fund groups like the Taliban." He further added that "as a veteran, I've witnessed the devastation these terrorists cause, and it's unacceptable that our tax dollars could ever support them and their wickedness."

In December 2023, Congressman Burchett introduced H.R. 6586 with similar goals to prevent financial support from reaching the Taliban. During discussions around this earlier bill, it was revealed that significant cash shipments were being sent weekly to Afghanistan's Central Bank. Additionally, Secretary of State Antony Blinken acknowledged in a December 2024 hearing that approximately $10 million had been paid to the Taliban as taxes.

Although H.R. 6586 passed unanimously in both relevant committees and in the House, it was not brought up for a vote in the Senate under then-Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.

H.R. 260 aims to enhance previous efforts by mandating that the State Department formulate a policy against foreign aid reaching the Taliban and requiring detailed reports on cash assistance programs related to Afghanistan.