The American government reportedly funded Chinese and Russian entities to the tune of $1.3 billion over the past five years for various research programs.
That’s according to an analysis from Republican Senator Joni Ernst and Open the Books, a watchdog organization.
Millions of Taxpayer Dollars Allegedly Given to Chinese and Russian Beneficiaries
The report disclosed that millions of taxpayer dollars went towards, among other beneficiaries, a Chinese software developer for military tech support, a Russian health insurance provider now under sanctions, and Chinese agriculture companies.
The federal government also allegedly allocated $2 million, a higher sum than previously reported, to the state-run Wuhan lab involved in bat coronavirus studies.
Highlighting the ongoing concerns over accountability for federal spending, Senator Joni Ernst commented, “Washington’s continuous and unchecked spending reached a point where it is losing sight of the hard-earned taxpayer dollars of Americans.”
Responding to the findings of the report, Senator Ernst launched a new bill.
This legislation aims to impose mandatory tracking and disclosure requirements on all federal funding allocated to organizations operating in China and Russia. A parallel bill was introduced in the House by Republican Representative Mike Gallagher from Wisconsin.
Happening Now: US gave over $1.3 billion to China and Russia for Gender Equality, Wuhan lab research, and other ridiculous projects.
Today Senator Joni Ernst released an analysis that showed the US has invested in Chinese researchers developing tech for the Chinese military,… pic.twitter.com/IK8SVJDjv3
— 🇺🇸Travis🇺🇸 (@Travis_in_Flint) May 31, 2023
Analysis Exposes Multimillion-Dollar Grants Given to Chinese, Russian Companies
Through data obtained from the Congressional Research Service, Ernst and Open the Books reported U.S. contracts and grants worth $490 million paid to Chinese entities. Another $870 million was paid to Russian entities.
This significantly surpasses the Government Accountability Office’s previous estimate of $48 million funneled to Chinese entities over a five-year period ending in 2021.
The analysis shed light on several grants, including a $58.7 million State Department grant to the Crossroads Cultural Communication for a “gender equality” initiative and a $51.6 million DoD grant to a Chinese tech firm.
US govt sent $1.3 billion to China, Russia for gender equality, cat experiments and Wuhan lab research https://t.co/Fz79xGXNWa
— Fox News (@FoxNews) June 1, 2023
Furthermore, the Wuhan Institute of Virology received $2 million for research, transferred indirectly via the U.S.-based EcoHealth Alliance.
Russian company PAO Rosgosstrakh, later sanctioned by the Treasury Department, reportedly received $4.7 million for health insurance.
Senator Ernst said she released the report to create transparency around the federal government’s spending habits and bring attention to “reckless spending” that taxpayers should be aware of.
This article appeared in Right Wing Insider and has been published here with permission.
