FIRST ON FOX: Fox News Digital has learned that the United States might hold back funding for the fight against Islamist terror in Somalia until Europe, the African Union (A.U.), and the United Nations (U.N.) contribute a larger “fair” portion towards the expenses of both combatting and maintaining peace in the country marred by conflict.
The intention to “prohibit” the use of U.S. funds is a critical component, revealed first to Fox News Digital, of a forthcoming bill to be put forth by three leading Republican senators.
Following the broader fiscal tightening initiatives of President Donald Trump’s administration in both domestic and international spheres, Sens. Jim Risch, R-Idaho, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., plan to introduce the “African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) Funding Restriction Act of 2025.”
This is “to safeguard U.S. taxpayer funds and hold the U.N. and A.U. accountable in African peace operations,” Risch told Fox News Digital.
Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), speaks during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on April 26, 2022 in Washington, D.C. (Al Drago-Pool/Getty Images)
“We can’t let that stand,” Risch continued. “This bill will prohibit U.S. contributions to AUSSOM under this new funding scheme, until the A.U. and the U.N. can prove that they are using the funds they have responsibly, and prevent Americans from being locked into perpetually funding a broken system.”
Risch said, “President Trump has ushered in a new era of American foreign policy where American taxpayer dollars will be used only to secure a safe and prosperous America. For far too long, our allies have taken America for a ride, and profited off of America paying the lion’s share for global security. Europe must continue to shoulder this burden.”
The other two senators sponsoring the bill, Cruz and Scott, also serve on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
The U.N. headquarters in New York City. (iStock)
Scott told Fox News Digital, “The United States will not allow our tax dollars to be exploited by the U.N. while our partners refuse to pay their fair share, much less for a mission that fails to spend these dollars responsibly or transparently. I am proud to join my colleagues on the AUSSOM Funding Restriction Act to ensure Americans’ interests are put first, and their tax dollars spent wisely.”
The specific aims of the bill that have been shown to Fox News Digital are:
- Protect U.S. Taxpayer Funds: Prohibit U.S. financial contributions to AUSSOM under UNSCR 2719 and mandate U.S. opposition to any U.N. Security Council action enabling such funding.
- Ensure Rigorous Oversight: Require the Secretary of State to conduct annual, independent assessments of the A.U.’s compliance with UNSCR 2719 criteria for all A.U.-led peace operations.
- Enhance Transparency and Accountability: Mandate comprehensive reporting to Congress on the assessment findings, AUSSOM’s performance and funding, and any U.S. contributions under UNSCR 2719.
- Strengthen Congressional Consultation: Expand existing State Department briefings to include specific updates on A.U. peace operations funded under UNSCR 2719.
