The U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs convened on December 31, 2024, to assess the State Department's withdrawal from Afghanistan, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken facing intense scrutiny over various issues, including the handling of taxpayer funds and diplomatic communications.

A significant point of contention arose regarding the State Department's cooperation with the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR). Committee members questioned whether Blinken had instructed his staff to obstruct SIGAR's investigation into U.S. tax dollars potentially reaching the Taliban. Blinken defended the department's actions, stating that they had dedicated over 13,000 staff hours to cooperate with SIGAR and emphasized that the department had not altered responses from implementing partners.

The discussion also shifted to U.S. financial dealings with Iran. Lawmakers expressed concern over a sanction waiver that allowed Iran access to $10 billion in Iraqi electricity payments shortly after the Democratic Party's electoral losses. Questions were raised about additional transactions since December 2023, with members demanding clarity on the administration's approach to sanctions and financial oversight.

In response to inquiries about dissent channel communications within the State Department, Blinken confirmed that he personally reviews every dissent cable. He acknowledged the importance of these communications but cautioned that wider sharing could deter personnel from utilizing this channel, potentially impacting the department's effectiveness.

The meeting highlighted ongoing tensions between congressional oversight and the State Department's operational decisions, particularly regarding financial transparency and diplomatic accountability. As the session concluded, the committee's discussions underscored the complexities of U.S. foreign policy and the challenges faced by the Biden administration in navigating these critical issues.