releases: https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/news-releases/mccaskill-plan-to-end-funding-for-unsustainable-afghan-infrastructure-projects-included-in-annual-defense-bill
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/news-releases/mccaskill-plan-to-end-funding-for-unsustainable-afghan-infrastructure-projects-included-in-annual-defense-bill | McCaskill Plan to End Funding for Unsustainable Afghan Infrastructure Projects Included in Annual Defense Bill | 2014-12-11 | 2014 | 2014-12 | Democrat | House | MO | Claire McCaskill | M001170 | www.mccaskill.senate.gov | legacy | McCaskill Plan to End Funding for Unsustainable Afghan Infrastructure Projects Included in Annual Defense Bill Senator’s provision to cut taxpayer funding for wasteful Afghan Infrastructure Fund is one step closer to becoming law Thursday, December 11, 2014 WASHINGTON – This year’s annual defense bill will include provisions by U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill to prohibit taxpayer funding from use by the Afghanistan Infrastructure Fund, and to prohibit unsustainable projects that cannot be overseen by American personnel. “For far too long we’ve been spending millions of dollars on projects in Afghanistan that can’t be responsibly secured or maintained,” said McCaskill, a former Missouri State Auditor. “I think Americans today will have a little more confidence in how their taxpayer money is being spent if we can get that money back from halfway around the world and use it on infrastructure—our roads and bridges in particular—where it’s sorely needed.” The provisions come after sustained pressure from McCaskill on the Obama Administration to prevent waste and abuse of taxpayer dollars on unsustainable infrastructure projects in Afghanistan. The legislation prohibits funding for construction projects in Afghanistan greater than $1 million that cannot be audited and physically inspected by US government personnel or designated representatives, and necessitates a determination that the project has been coordinated with the government of Afghanistan and that adequate arrangements have been made for project sustainment. McCaskill this summer penned a letter to the U.S. Agency for International Development demanding answers on the cost and sustainability of the Tarakhil power plant, which has cost the U.S. more than $300 million, and generated less than 3% of the power it was built to produce. McCaskill also quizzed General Joseph F. Dunford, Jr., Commander of the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, on concerns raised by the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction regarding the dwindling oversight of taxpayer-funded projects in the country as the U.S. drawdown of troops continues. Earlier this year, McCaskill called for action from the State Department to implement safeguards over contracts to stop the waste of tax money. The Inspector General's report came nearly one year after McCaskill had formally requested that the office review the contracts. Last year, McCaskill introduced a Senate budget resolution to end funding for the projects and redirect those resources for use in construction of roads in the United States. Visit mccaskill.senate.gov/accountability to learn more about McCaskill's fight to strengthen accountability. ### Print Email Tweet | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |