Republican Congressmen Mark Sanford and Thomas Massie on Monday introduced a bill that would redirect aid for Pakistan into a fund to boost infrastructure efforts in the U.S.
Sen. Rand Paul introduced companion legislation in the upper chamber.
The lawmakers cite $34 billion sent to Pakistan since 2001, including $526 million last year.
"When the American people support other nations, our generosity shouldn't be used to reward terrorists with U.S. taxpayer dollars," Sanford said in a statement. "Couple this with the fact that the Highway Trust Fund will be $111 billion short by 2026, and it simply makes financial sense to repurpose these funds for our infrastructure."
President Donald Trump has made infrastructure a priority this year, calling for a $1.5 trillion plan during his first State of the Union address last week.
"We fail our responsibilities to protect our country and properly steward taxpayers' hard-earned money when we support countries that chant ‘Death to America' and burn our flag," Paul said in a statement.
"Let's bring that money home and use it to help rebuild our infrastructure instead of giving it to a nation that persecutes Christians and imprisons people such as the doctor that helped us get Osama bin Laden."
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