Arizona Congressman Andy Biggs and 10 of his House colleagues sent a letter to the U.S. State Department in response to recent reports revealing that it funded drag theater performances, workshops, and a documentary in Ecuador with U.S. taxpayer money.
The State Department recently awarded a $20,600 grant to the Centro Ecuatoriano Norteamericano De Cuenca to “host 3 workshops, 12 drag theater performances, and produce a 2 minute documentary.”
“President Biden has wokified the State Department and is misusing taxpayer money to implement a radical and unpopular agenda abroad,” said Biggs in a press release. “This initiative does not enhance national security, advance national interests, or support U.S. foreign policy. The State Department must explain its actions to Congress.”
According to MSN.com, the State Department’s grant listed on the USASpending.gov website shows the project will include “3 workshops,” “12 drag theater performances,” and a “2-minute documentary.”
A State Department spokesperson told Fox News Digital in a statement that the grant is part of “a wide range of strategic programs in Ecuador that incorporate concepts from diversity, inclusion, and representation to equity and accessibility.”
The Honorable Antony J. Blinken
Secretary of State
U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street NW
Washington, D.C. 20520
Dear Secretary Blinken:Recent reports that the U.S. Department of State (DOS) funded drag theater performances in Ecuador raise serious questions about the actions of your Department and your failure to promote America’s interests abroad.
The State Department recently awarded a $20,600 grant to the Centro Ecuatoriano Norteamericano de Cuenca to “host 3 workshops, 12 drag theater performances, and produce a 2-minute documentary.” According to information available on USASpending.gov, the objective of your Department’s Public Diplomacy Programs are “To support the achievement of U.S. foreign policy goals and objectives, advance national interests, and enhance national security by informing and influencing foreign publics and by expanding and strengthening the relationship between the people and the government of the United States and the citizens of the rest of the world.”
Promoting the radical Left’s woke ideology is not an appropriate use of taxpayer dollars and promoting drag does not relate in any way to the objective above. Instead of funding drag theater programs your Department should focus its limited resources on advancing America’s national interests, not the Left’s agenda.
We ask that you answer the following questions and provide the following documents and information:
1. Under what statutory authority were the funds provided?
2. How many grants has DOS provided for drag theater performances or similar activities since January 20, 2021? How much money was awarded for each grant award?
3. Please provide a list of all drag theater performances or similar activities funded in total or in part by DOS since January 20, 2021.
4. What foreign policy goals and objectives do drag theater performances achieve? 5. What national interests are advanced by drag theater performances?
5. What national interests are advanced by drag theater performances?
6. What national interest is served by these types of programs?
7. How do drag theater performances enhance U.S. national security?
8. Please provide all emails, guidance documents, or other materials regarding the funding of drag theater performance.
We ask that you provide this information as soon as possible but no later than 5:00 p.m. on November 11, 2022. Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.
Biggs’ co-signers include: Rep. Michael Cloud (R-TX), Rep. Mary E. Miller (R-IL), Rep. Randy Weber (R-TX), Rep. Jeff Duncan (R-SC), Rep. Dan Bishop (R-NC), Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL), Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX), Rep. Lisa McClain (R-MI), Rep. Diana Harshbarger (R-TN), and Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-TX).