Trump Admin Wants To Use Taxpayer Dollars To Reimburse Taliban Travel Costs

FILE -- In this Sunday Aug. 5, 2012 file photo, a Pakistani Taliban militant holds a rocket-propelled grenade at the Taliban stronghold of Shawal, in Pakistani tribal region of Waziristan, Pakistan. Pakistani offici... FILE -- In this Sunday Aug. 5, 2012 file photo, a Pakistani Taliban militant holds a rocket-propelled grenade at the Taliban stronghold of Shawal, in Pakistani tribal region of Waziristan, Pakistan. Pakistani officials said Saturday that it is investigating whether the son of the founder of the powerful Haqqani militant network, Badruddin Haqqani, was killed in a U.S. drone strike this week. The U.S. has long viewed the Haqqani network as one of the biggest threats to U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan as well as the country’s long term stability. (AP Photo/ Ishtiaq Mahsud, File) MORE LESS
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The Trump administration has asked Congress for funds to reimburse the Taliban for travel expenses incurred during peace talks.

According to Roll Call, the money is meant to cover lodging, food and travel expenses.

“Even if you leave aside that they are still conducting operations against our interests and allies, having to pay for someone to be at the table undercuts our bargaining position and demonstrates their lack of enthusiasm for a deal,” Steve Ellis, executive vice president of Taxpayers for Common Sense, told Roll Call. “I’m sure the Taliban would like whatever cash we’re willing to give them, but it’s not like they aren’t able to continue funding their fighting. How about using some of that cash instead of American taxpayer dollars.”

U.S. delegates have participated in six rounds of peace talks with Taliban representatives in Qatar since last October.

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