Rep. Jim Banks, R-IN, urged the Republican Leadership of the House Appropriations Committee in a letter he wrote on Tuesday to stop the U.S. Government from partnering with Ukrainians who target Americans. An NGO in Ukraine published a list of American politicians, think tanks, media figures, and others who questioned the idea or opposed the sending more taxpayer-funded aid to Ukraine.
Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX and X was on Banks’s list. Banks told the group that he had asked Tom Cole (R-OK), the Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, and Mario Diaz Balart (R-FL), the Chairman of the State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee, to stop State Department and USAID partnering up with overseas actors encouraging harassment against Americans.
The next day, the Committee will vote on the Bill to fund USAID and the State Department for fiscal 2020.
Kurt Zindulka of Breitbart reported that Ukraine’s DATA Journalism Agency (TEXTY) compiled the list. Breitbart was listed, as well as Banks. He is a Navy Veteran and Chairman of the House Armed Services Military Readiness Subcommittee.
The NGO also released a document entitled “Roller Coaster – From Trumpists To Communists”. The report details the American forces that are blocking aid to Ukraine.
Zindulka reported:
TEXTY claims to be an independent website and that its investigation into alleged anti-Ukrainian sentiments in America was “exclusively” funded by readers. TEXTY is however listed as a participant in the Transparency and Accountability in Public Administration and Services Project in Ukraine. This project is funded jointly by the United States Agency for International Development and UK International Development.
Anatoly bondarenko is listed as a “TechCamp” trainer. The program provides “participant-driven workshops that connect technology specialists from the private sector with key populations, such as journalists and civil society advocates.
The report acknowledges that not all of those mentioned have “direct or proven ties” to the Russian government. However, it paints a picture of an interconnected conspiracy consisting of approximately 390 people and 76 organizations with a particular focus on those who are “affiliated with Trump’s wing of the Republican Party”.
In a letter, Banks stated that federal bureaucrats shouldn’t support or partner up with foreign groups who intimidate U.S. legislators and citizens.
I urge a majority of members on the Appropriations Committee to support efforts to pass the Fiscal Year 2020 bill (SFOPS), which would force the State Department to end all relationships with NGOs such as TEXTY who seek to silence American speakers they don’t like and influence U.S. Policymakers for their benefit.
Many people, including Laura Loomer and Rob Stabuck, posted comments about X.
Starbuck posted a comment on X:
I’ve just received a letter from Congress that notifies me of my inclusion on the recent enemies list created by a Ukrainian NGO called TEXTY. The letter from @Jim_Banks reveals that this group has worked with USAID & the State Dept.
Rep. Banks is demanding an end to all US… pic.twitter.com/v0K7gYASCN
— Robby Starbuck (@robbystarbuck) June 11, 2024
Rep. This list was made to intimidate Banks because he opposes the funding of wars using tax dollars in Ukraine. Biden’s administration is not doing enough to protect Americans.
Loomer posted:
Congressman Banks: Thank you!
JUST IN:
I just received this letter from US Congressman @Jim_Banks notifying me that my name appears on a “list of individuals in the US impeding aid to Ukraine” that was published by a Ukrainian NGO called the Data Journalism Agency @Textyorgua_Eng, which works with the US… https://t.co/yFYibpnxha pic.twitter.com/XUFojYRixq
— Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) June 11, 2024