Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, is conducting oversight of the U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) taxpayer-funded assistance to small businesses in Ukraine.
This follows the White House’s recent request for approximately $14 billion in non-military aid to Ukraine, including for accounts that facilitate distribution of funds to bolster Ukrainian businesses.
“My support for providing weapons and munitions to Ukrainian fighters as they counter Putin’s regime on the battlefield is steadfast. But I’m weary of doling out nearly $25 billion in hardworking Americans’ tax dollars for so-called economic aid to Ukraine, including subsidies for overseas businesses such as a luxury ‘contemporary knitwear couture’ company in Kyiv,” Ernst wrote.
In her letter, Ernst points out that American small businesses, especially in Iowa, are being crippled by Bidenflation.
“Iowans and hardworking American small business owners across our country are left to wonder why our government is bailing out companies abroad while so many struggle to make ends meet at home. Through USAID’s efforts, it appears to be easier for foreign businesses to profit from our tax dollars than it is for our small business owners here at home to receive support,” she continued.
She requested a full account of the recipients of this aid, partner organizations assisting with its distribution, the process for vetting both recipients and distributors, and the reasons why projects were accepted and rejected.
Read the full letter here.
