CR to fund State Department agency accused of censoring, blacklisting Americans
The Global Engagement Center (GEC), a State Department agency that has faced backlash from conservatives for allegedly blacklisting Americans and news outlets, is set to receive funding in the upcoming continuing resolution (CR) bill being negotiated on Capitol Hill. While the budget allocation for the GEC is not specified in the CR, a previous Inspector General report revealed that the agency had a total budget of $74.26 million in FY 2020, with $60 million appropriated by Congress.
The provision for the GEC can be found in the Foreign Affairs Section 301 of the CR bill, despite the State Department previously stating that it planned to shut down the agency by next week. The GEC has come under fire for its actions during the pandemic, with reports indicating that it funded a secret list of subcontractors and engaged in blacklisting individuals and organizations based on criteria such as attributing the origins of the coronavirus to certain entities.
Critics, including Tesla CEO Elon Musk, have condemned the GEC for its censorship and media manipulation, with Musk describing it as the “worst offender in US government censorship & media manipulation.” The GEC, which partners with various government agencies including the FBI and CIA, has been accused of targeting American citizens and stifling free speech.
Despite claims from the GEC’s Director Graham Brookie that its grants have an international focus, reports have suggested that the agency has funded organizations that track domestic misinformation and rate the credibility of US-based publishers. A recent report from the House Small Business Committee criticized the GEC for awarding grants to organizations that engage in such activities.
The GEC’s funding in the CR bill comes amid a lawsuit filed by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, the Daily Wire, and the Federalist, alleging that the agency was involved in a conspiracy to censor and deplatform American media outlets. The lawsuit accuses the GEC of using taxpayer funds to carry out censorship and suppress free speech, particularly targeting conservative news organizations.
Additionally, revelations from America First Legal, led by former Trump administration official Stephen Miller, have exposed the GEC’s use of taxpayer dollars to create a video game called “Cat Park” aimed at combating disinformation abroad. Critics have argued that the game promotes certain political beliefs and is not focused on protecting Americans from foreign disinformation.
As lawmakers continue to negotiate the CR bill, the inclusion of funding for the GEC has sparked further controversy and debate. Critics of the agency argue that it is a threat to democracy and freedom of speech, while supporters maintain that it plays a crucial role in countering foreign propaganda and misinformation. The future of the GEC and its operations remains uncertain as Congress works to finalize the CR bill.
