The US Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Thursday approved the No Tax Dollars for Terrorists Act, legislation aimed at preventing U.S. taxpayer money from reaching militant groups in Afghanistan, including the Taliban.

Committee chairman Jim Risch, a Republican from Idaho, said the bill was among the most "commonsense" measures considered by the panel and was designed to stop any U.S. funds from benefiting what he described as terrorist organisations.

"This bill will help to prevent even one American dollar from going to terrorist organizations in Afghanistan like the Taliban," Risch said in a statement. He cited the deaths of more than 2,000 U.S. service members and injuries to more than 20,000 others during the war in Afghanistan, saying it would be "a slap in the face" to veterans and their families if taxpayer money flowed to the Taliban.

Today, I led my committee in passing the No Tax Dollars for Terrorists Act. Our servicemembers sacrificed too much for us to place money into the Taliban’s hands. It’s been a long fight to overcome obstruction but this bill is now one step closer to becoming law. pic.twitter.com/br7BRAeKZw

— Jim Risch (@SenatorRisch) January 29, 2026

The legislation was introduced in January 2025 by Republican Senator Tim Sheehy, along with Senators Bill Hagerty of Tennessee, Tommy Tuberville of Alabama and Steve Daines of Montana. Sheehy said he welcomed the committee`s approval and would push to pass the bill in the full Senate.

"There is no justification for a dime of U.S. taxpayer money finding its way into the hands of terrorists who openly call for ‘death to America,`" Sheehy said in a statement.

The bill would make it U.S. policy to oppose financial or material support to the Taliban by foreign governments and non-governmental organisations, and would require the State Department to develop and implement a strategy to counter foreign assistance that benefits the group.

Supporters of the legislation point to findings by the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction, which reported in 2025 that $10.72 billion had flowed into Afghanistan since the Taliban returned to power in 2021, including $3.83 billion from U.S. taxpayers. Some estimates cited in the report suggested that up to 70% of the funds may have ended up in Taliban hands.

The U.S. State Department halted direct assistance to Afghanistan in 2025, but aid from foreign governments and international organisations - some of which receive U.S. funding - has continued.

The Taliban deny receiving U.S. assistance and say international aid is used strictly for humanitarian purposes. The United States does not recognise the Taliban rule, which returned to power after U.S. and NATO forces withdrew in 2021.

The bill now moves to the full Senate for consideration.