Sen. Ernst Exposes $18 Million Redirected to China Amidst Funding Controversy

Senator Joni Ernst’s investigation unveils improper allocation of $18 million in U.S. taxpayer money toward projects in China, prompting calls for accountability and transparency.

A groundbreaking investigation spearheaded by Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) has highlighted a disturbing trend in the allocation of taxpayer dollars under the Biden administration. Findings indicate that $18 million in U.S. funding has been directed towards projects in Communist China, with discrepancies in reporting that have sparked outrage among lawmakers and watchdog organizations.

Out of this sum, at least $4 million is reported to have gone unaccounted for, or inaccurately reported on the federal spending tracking platform, USAspending.gov. The funds have been channeled through various federal departments, notably the State Department and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), to finance a myriad of projects based in China, including:

- DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility) training for U.S. consulates
- Pro-LGBT events
- Artistic initiatives such as billboards and bike parking covers
- Climate change programs
- Research on rat populations

Among the more controversial expenditures was a $4.8 million grant awarded to Peking University in Beijing for a comprehensive “China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study.” However, Ernst’s investigation revealed an additional $1.08 million funneled to researchers at Peking disguised as a sub-award under a grant from the University of Southern California. This particular research focused on brain sensors related to cognition but was missing from Peking University’s profile on USAspending.gov.

An April 2023 audit by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) confirmed that U.S. funds frequently find their way to Chinese programs through subawards. However, the audit also highlighted the severity of data reporting and transparency issues, making it challenging to ascertain the actual extent of taxpayer funds reaching hostile foreign regimes.

Sen. Ernst expressed her condemnation of the Biden administration, asserting that American citizens’ hard-earned tax dollars should not be used to support adversarial regimes, especially when shrouded in a veil of incomplete and misleading financial disclosures.