WASHINGTON (TNND) — Tempers flared on Capitol Hill Tuesday as House Republicans accused left-leaning nonprofits of misusing taxpayer dollars during a Judiciary Committee hearing. The nearly two-hour session focused on allegations that federal funds were being used to support projects abroad, such as a transgender comic book in Peru and millions for Sesame Street in Iraq.
Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, said, “In simple terms, they used your money against you, took your tax money, spent it on stupid things.” He claimed that billions in taxpayer money were being used to fund diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, open border policies, and left-wing nonprofits like the Southern Poverty Law Center.
Rep. Jeff Van Drew, R-N.J., criticized the funding of a transgender comic book in Peru, saying, “Cause we don’t have needs in our country, right? We’ve got money to fund a transgender comic book in Peru.”
Van Drew accused billionaire George Soros of using taxpayer dollars to fund progressive causes via nonprofits and called for transparency and accountability, framing the debate as a struggle over control between billionaires and everyday Americans.
Republicans described the situation as a “nonprofit cartel,” alleging that federal grants are being distributed with little oversight to promote a radical agenda. They warned that some funds are even being used to influence foreign governments, such as Hungary. Mike Gonzalez of The Heritage Foundation said, “It was meant to do regime change in a NATO ally, and very key NATO ally, that was unconscionable.”
Democrats, however, dismissed the hearing as political theater aimed at boosting Donald Trump’s Project 2025. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, said, “This isn’t about accountability, it’s about silencing organizations that challenge Republican power.” She defended foreign aid as a means of protecting national security and criticized Republicans for cutting victim assistance funds.
Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., questioned the motives behind the hearing, suggesting it lacked purpose or evidence of wrongdoing. He called for the release of the Epstein files instead of targeting NGOs, saying, “Why don’t we have a hearing about the continuing suppression and cover-up of the information in the Epstein files?”
Republican witnesses advocated for more transparency, audits, and a ban on federal funding for lobbying groups. Meanwhile, the Democrats’ witness called for restoring USAID’s funding and pushed for the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files.
