Why is the State Dept allowing $60 million that was allocated to help fight terrorist propaganda to sit in the Pentagon account? Well for some reason the State Dept is using current relations with Russia as an excuse – PB/TK
Senators blast Tillerson delay on spending funds to counter ISIS, Russia – By Nahal Toosi / Aug 2 2017
Two U.S. senators are demanding that Secretary of State Rex Tillerson quickly tap into $80 million in available funds to counter propaganda by Russia and terrorist groups, with one lawmaker calling his delay in using the money “indefensible.”
The comments by Republican Sen. Rob Portman of Ohio and Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut came in response to a POLITICO story that detailed how Tillerson has taken no action to spend the money, which was allocated last year by Congress, possibly because of concerns that it could hurt his efforts to reduce tensions with Russia.
“This is indefensible,” Murphy said in a statement Wednesday. “Every day, [the Islamic State] is spreading terrorist propaganda and Russia is implementing a sophisticated disinformation campaign to undermine the United States and our allies. I strongly urge Secretary Tillerson to take this issue seriously and use the tools and resources he has at his disposal to stand up to our adversaries.”
Added Portman: “Countering foreign propaganda should be a top priority, and it is very concerning that progress on combating this problem is being delayed because the State Department isn’t tapping into these resources.”
Continue to politico.com article: http://www.politico.com/story/2017/08/02/rex-tillerson-delays-isis-russia-money-senators-react-241247
