U.S. allocates $60 mln to fight Russian, ISIS propaganda

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has approved the use of about $60 million to counter propaganda by Islamist extremists and governments such as Russia, Politico has reported.

"After coming under pressure from lawmakers, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has taken steps toward spending tens of millions of dollars to counter propaganda by Islamist extremists and governments such as Russia," reads the report.

A State Department official confirmed on Thursday that Tillerson last week approved the use of about $60 million by the Global Engagement Center toward the anti-propaganda efforts.

The report notes that almost $20 million of the $60 million was already in the State Department's coffers and will be released to the center's officials to fight propaganda by terrorist groups such as the Islamic State.

Tillerson also approved a request for a transfer of $40 million from the Pentagon to the center so it can fight state-sponsored propaganda.

According to the report, Tillerson's delay in using the funding sparked anger among lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.

op