Congressman Burchett Moves to Cut Pay of Voice of America Aide Amid Controversy

In a striking move reflecting the intersecting worlds of politics, media oversight, and accountability, U.S. Congressman Tim Burchett (TN-02) has taken legislative action targeting a specific individual at the Voice of America (VOA). This effort comes in response to a controversial report by the House Foreign Affairs Committee, which sheds light on significant concerns regarding the hiring and conduct of Setareh Sieg, a Special Assistant within the federally funded broadcasting entity.

The introduced legislation aims directly at reducing Seig’s salary, pointing to serious allegations of funds misuse and resume falsification. It’s a bold step that underscores the mounting scrutiny over the U.S. Global Media Agency (USAGM), VOA’s parent organization. This scrutiny has intensified due to allegations surrounding Seig’s reappointment during the Biden administration, amidst accusations that she falsified her academic credentials and engaged in problematic workplace behavior, notably favoritism in hiring.

Despite these allegations—and following whistleblower complaints—actions against Sieg seemed to be tepid, with the USAGM showing reluctance towards imposing significant disciplinary measures. Congressman Burchett’s legislative proposal thus emerges as a notable attempt to enforce accountability, highlighting the challenges in managing federally funded international broadcasting entities and ensuring they operate within the bounds of integrity and transparency.