![GOP attacks Hillary Clinton over charitable foundation that receives foreign money](http://natmonitor.com/news/wp-content/uploads/Hillary-Clinton-angry2.jpg)
Republicans argue that receiving money from foreign entities creates a conflict of interest for someone hoping to become the next president, while Democrats argue that the charity has pursued worthwhile causes and is open about its donors.
Former President Bill Clinton’s foundation has served a lot of worldwide humanitarian needs since its formation, but it could become a thorn in the side of his wife’s 2016 presidential bid.
Large donations to the foundation by foreign governments in the past two years has resulted in some negative press for Hillary Clinton, who appears to be the frontrunner for the Democratic nomination next year, according to an Associated Press report.
The foundation has raised more than $200 million since 2013 for things such as the battle against AIDS in Africa, education of children, and the feeding of poor people worldwide. However, Republicans have seized upon Clinton’s involvement in the charity, alleging that it creates a conflict of interest due to the contributions of foreign governments.
Reince Preibus, chairman of the Republican National Committee, demanded that Hillary Clinton immediately ban foreign countries from giving to her foundation or risk setting a “dangerous precedent,” according to the report.
The foundations has events in Morocco and Greece coming up, and a spokesperson for hte foundation said that it would ensure that its practices were appropriate, as it did when Clinton was secretary of state.
The foundation stopped receiving money from foreign governments in 2009 when President Barack Obama tapped her to become the nation’s top diplomat, but the ban was dropped after she left that post in 2013.
In 2014, the foundation has received money from the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Oman, to name a few. Since Bill Clinton began the organization in 2001, it has raised $2 billion, about one-third of which came from foreign entities.
Democrats defend the foundation due to its history of taking on worthwhile causes and the fact that it is open about who its donors are, even though nonprofits are not required to be transparent. Also, there is no evidence that the Clintons have been enriching themselves through the foundation, they argue.
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