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Editor's note: The following is an opinion piece from one of Utah's congressional representatives. This article is intended to provide our readers with a better understanding of the positions and decisions of this state representative. The opinions expressed are not necessarily those of ksl.com, its management or ownership.SALT LAKE CITY — Long after our troops have left Afghanistan, our dollars will still be traveling there by the billions. Our soldiers may not be providing the nation's security, but our dollars will most certainly be paying for it. Given the results of a recent audit of fuel expenditures alone, I have grave concerns about the lack of accountability in U.S. foreign aid operations.
Proper oversight leads to effective reforms and stronger accountability. In Afghanistan, projects such as the Defense Department's (DOD) petroleum, oil, and lubricants (POL) delivery program, and the Dawood Military Hospital stand as evidence that stricter controls must be put in place now to prevent taxpayer dollars from being needlessly wasted. As part of the solution, I re-introduced bipartisan legislation that would prevent taxpayer waste in Afghanistan.
Solving the problem of waste, fraud, and abuse overseas will take a combination of appropriate oversight and meaningful reforms. In the meantime, the U.S. continues to provide direct assistance worth billions of dollars to a historically corrupt nation — Afghanistan — with little or no effort to ensure transparency or proper accountability measures.
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In Afghanistan, where we have already spent nearly $100 billion supporting reconstruction efforts, we have seen a troubling lack of transparency. Earlier this year the Special Inspector General for Afghan Reconstruction (SIGAR) released its final audit report citing waste, fraud, abuse, and still missing documents in DOD's POL assistance program. The purpose of this program is to supply POL to the Afghan National Army (ANA) to sustain their operations.
Despite these known challenges, DOD proposes to increase funding for POL. From fiscal year 2014 to fiscal year 2018, DOD plans to provide $2.8 billion, or about $555 million dollars worth of POL per year. Instead of the DOD purchasing the fuel for the Afghan National Army, this Administration plans to give one-third of that amount — approximately $1 billion — directly to the Afghan government.
SIGAR also points out that the U.S. is disbursing more than 40 percent of its aid funds to the Afghan government in the form of direct assistance. Many similar direct assistance efforts in Afghanistan by the U.S. government — both previous and ongoing — have resulted in rampant waste, fraud, and abuse — and even tragedy.
Unfortunately, we are witnessing a pattern wherein transparency and accountability are becoming the exception, not the rule. This must stop. Without necessary planning and safeguards, programs throughout the federal government — not just in foreign aid — all too often result in mismanagement and waste.
Another tragic example of waste in Afghanistan can be found at the U.S. taxpayer-funded Dawood National Military Hospital — which is operated by the Afghan government. For years, Afghan officials pilfered nearly $175 million dollars in cash and medical supplies. Legitimate pharmaceuticals were replaced with counterfeits. Wounded Afghan soldiers were made to suffer — and in some cases die — without proper medical care. Images from the hospital are horrifying and tough to look at.
This is not how American taxpayer dollars should be spent.
In an ongoing effort to prevent taxpayer waste in Afghanistan, I recently re-introduced HR327, the Accountability of Taxpayer Funding for Afghanistan Fuels Act. This bipartisan legislation will require DOD to be accountable to Congress for taxpayer dollars spent on POL in Afghanistan. This is one reform that will ensure stronger accountability to Congress and the American people.
Unfortunately, we are witnessing a pattern wherein transparency and accountability are becoming the exception, not the rule. This must stop. Without necessary planning and safeguards, programs throughout the federal government — not just in foreign aid — all too often result in mismanagement and waste.
Congressman Jason Chaffetz represents Utah's 3rd Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives, where he is currently serving his third term. He serves as ranking member of the Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee. Prior to his time in Congress, Chaffetz was former Gov. Jon Huntsman's Chief of Staff.
