Lawmakers Condemn Radio Free Asia’s Equipment Auction Amid Funding Crisis

Washington, D.C. – Radio Free Asia (RFA), a nonprofit organization funded by U.S. taxpayers, is under scrutiny for selling off a significant portion of its broadcasting equipment during a government shutdown. The organization, which typically receives about $60 million annually, recently paused its operations due to a funding lapse.

As the organization’s website remains inactive, Fox News has reported that RFA is auctioning high-definition cameras, teleprompters, and other broadcasting equipment at drastically reduced prices on Rasmus Auctions. Items such as a teleprompter listed for 40 cents and HD cameras available for under a dollar have sparked outrage among lawmakers.

Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., sharply criticized RFA’s actions, describing the online auction as a betrayal to American taxpayers. “I’ve never seen such belligerence by an organization that gets a hundred percent of its money from the U.S. government,” Issa said. “It’s clear they’re liquidating assets out of spite.”

In a statement, RFA attributed its decision to the ongoing government shutdown and budget cuts. “The Administration’s unlawful termination and disruption of RFA’s timely funding has forced the company to drastically reduce operational costs,” the statement read. The organization emphasized its commitment to holding authoritarian regimes accountable despite the need to shed unused equipment.

However, Kari Lake, a deputy executive at the U.S. Agency for Global Media, strongly criticized RFA’s claims, insisting that taxpayers deserve accountability. “We’ve given them every single penny appropriated to them. Eighty cents for an HD camera? That’s a slap in the face to taxpayers,” Lake stated. She has demanded that RFA open its doors for an audit to investigate the matter further.

In further comments to Fox News, RFA expressed hope to resume operations if Congress resolves the funding issues and enables them to acquire necessary equipment. The uncertainty surrounding RFA’s future remains, as lawmakers continue to call for transparency regarding taxpayer-funded assets.