Sen. Joni Ernst reveals alarming spending practices linked to communist initiatives and the lack of accountability in federal funding.
Uncovering Taxpayer Dollars: Biden Administration's $18 Million Flow to China
Uncovering Taxpayer Dollars: Biden Administration's $18 Million Flow to China
Investment of U.S. taxpayer funds in Chinese entities raises eyebrows and instigates political backlash.
A comprehensive investigation led by Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) has exposed a significant controversy involving the Biden administration's allocation of $18 million in taxpayer money to Communist China. This investigation highlights several millions that are either misreported or missing entirely from federal spending records, which has ignited outrage among both lawmakers and oversight groups.
Out of the $18 million, at least $4 million is unaccounted for or inaccurately reported on USAspending.gov—the official federal grant tracking platform. The funds, primarily distributed by the State Department and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), supported numerous initiatives based in China, including:
- Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEI) training at U.S. consulates
- Pro-LGBT events hosted in China
- Artistic billboards and bicycle parking covers
- Climate change programs
- Research on rats
Additionally, $4.8 million was directed to Peking University in Beijing for the "China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study." Ernst's team discovered a further $1.08 million allocated to Peking researchers disguised as a sub-award under a grant to the University of Southern California. This grant had a focus on brain sensors linked to cognition, addiction, and mood, yet this sub-award was conspicuously absent from Peking University’s profile on USAspending.gov.
An audit conducted by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) in April 2023 corroborated that U.S. funds frequently reach Chinese programs through sub-awards; however, the breadth of this issue remains largely uncharted due to subpar data reporting and transparency measures.
Senator Ernst condemned the administration's practices, asserting that American taxpayer dollars are being utilized to support a regime that is perceived as hostile, all while avoiding scrutiny through obscured financial reporting and incomplete data submissions.
