Contrary to reports from some pro-Dillon supporters and allies, an investigation by Verity News reveals that Montserrado County Senator Abraham Darius Dillon introduced, pushed, led, and sponsored a proposed bill dubbed and styled: “Diaspora Development Act of 2025.
The proposed bill, if passed into law, US$1 would be cut on every remittance transaction to/in Liberia. For instance, if a Diaspora Liberian sends US$5 or US$10 to a family member or a relative, that person in Liberia would receive US$4 or US$9 even though there are already transfer, cash-out, and tax charges on remittances in Liberia excluding sending fees. The new US$1 diaspora deduction bill aims to add extra charges on remittances.
What did Sen. Dillon introduce, push, and lead? In his 3-page letter, as attached and sent to Senate Pro-Temp Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence on May 19, 2026, Sen. Dillon said in paragraph two of page one, “The proposed Act is intended to transform a small fraction of remittance transaction, specifically a contribution of US$1 per remittance transaction, irrespective of amount remitted…”
Instead of adding extra charges on remittance, critics of the bill, including tax analysts, have called on Senator Dillon and his colleagues to cut down their huge salaries and benefits to compensate for the prevailing development gaps in health, education, youth empowerment, agriculture, infrastructure, technology, and community development that the bill seeks to address.
Excluding Pro-Temp Nyonble Karnga-Lawrence’s budgetary appropriation, a total of US$51.4 million has been spent on The Liberian Senate of 29 members from Fiscal Year 2024 to 2026, with salary alone constituting US$10.13 million for 29 Senators.
Even though this scenario is not possible, but assuming that 1 million Diaspora Liberians decide to remit once a month and US$1 dollar is deducted on those 1 million transactions, that’s US$1 million a month, and that’s US$12 million a whole year for “Diaspora Development Fund.” What real development problem can US$12 million address in Liberia than over US$50 million spent on a Senate of just 30 members?
Should Dillon’s US$1 remittance bill be passed or should Senators cut down their huge salaries and benefits to fund national development projects?
