Washington, D.C. – In a controversial statement, U.S. Congressman Scott Perry, a Republican from Pennsylvania, has alleged that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funded terrorist organizations, including Boko Haram. Perry made the claim during the inaugural hearing of the Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency on Thursday.

The assertion, which has raised eyebrows, came as part of Perry’s broader criticism of government inefficiency in foreign aid distribution. The congressman stated that USAID, in its efforts to promote development and humanitarian aid, had inadvertently supported groups involved in terrorism, citing Boko Haram as a key example.

“We have to address the fact that our taxpayer dollars may have been used to fund organizations that directly harm innocent people,” Perry said during the hearing. “We need a thorough investigation to ensure that U.S. foreign aid is not unintentionally benefiting groups like Boko Haram.”

Perry’s comments come amid growing concerns about the effectiveness and oversight of U.S. foreign aid programs, especially in regions affected by conflict and terrorism. While USAID has not responded directly to the claims, the agency has long faced scrutiny over its operations in fragile states, where funds may be misdirected or end up in the hands of extremist groups due to weak governance and oversight mechanisms.

Boko Haram, a militant Islamist group operating in Nigeria and neighboring countries, has been responsible for numerous violent attacks and abductions, making it a primary target of U.S. counterterrorism efforts in the region. The claim made by Perry is likely to fuel ongoing debates over the allocation and monitoring of U.S. foreign aid.

In response to Perry’s statement, some experts have questioned the validity of the claim, noting that there is no concrete evidence to suggest that USAID directly funded Boko Haram. Critics of Perry’s remarks argue that the focus should be on improving oversight mechanisms to prevent aid from falling into the wrong hands, rather than making broad accusations.

The controversy highlights the ongoing challenges facing U.S. foreign aid programs, particularly in regions plagued by instability and extremist activity. As the debate continues, lawmakers are expected to push for greater transparency and accountability in the administration of international development funds.