TranslatePolitics.com

Mario Diaz-Balart

Republican 12:10 p.m.

“I want to talk a lot about this bill. I want to add more things later.”

Mario Diaz-Balart

Republican 12:10 p.m.

“I want this bill to pass. It gives money to countries we like. It does not give money to countries we don't like. It has less money than before. It does many things. I want to thank everyone. I want the bill to pass.”

Official Congressional Record

Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I am pleased to present the fiscal year 2027 National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs appropriations bill to the House for consideration and for approval. Now, let me start by noting the untimely, sad passing of our friend and colleague, Senator Lindsey Graham. As chairman of the State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Subcommittee in the Senate, he was my counterpart. We worked together closely on our top priority, the national security of the United States. Senator Graham was a tough negotiator, but always, always, an honorable partner. He will be greatly missed, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family, his staff, and those who knew and loved him. At the outset, I thank Chairman Cole for his invaluable leadership and commitment to ensuring that Congress upholds its responsibility to provide the tools necessary to safeguard our national security along with his partner in this endeavor, Ranking Member DeLauro. I also thank the ranking member of the subcommittee, Ranking Member Frankel, for the longstanding relationship that she and I have--we have been friends for many, many years--and for her valuable contributions during the bill development process. I will tell you, anybody who knows Lois Frankel, she is tough, but she is always trustworthy. Mr. Chairman, this bill is very straightforward. If you are a friend or an ally of the United States, this bill supports you, but if you are an adversary or you are cozying up to the adversaries of the United States, then, frankly, you are just not going to like this bill. This bill is the next step in strengthening our national security while reducing spending. Under Chairman Cole's leadership, House Republicans have delivered nearly $12 billion in responsible cuts within the purview of this subcommittee just since 2023. The fiscal year 2027 bill continues this work with another $2.7 billion in reductions, yet our national security priorities are funded at or above prior year levels. The bill maintains $1.8 billion for partners in the Indo-Pacific, including $500 million in military assistance for Taiwan. It provides unwavering support for Israel and fully funds the United States-Israel Memorandum of Understanding by providing $3.3 billion in security assistance. The bill recognizes the valuable partnerships in the Western Hemisphere which continue to expand and realign under the leadership of President Trump and Secretary Marco Rubio. The bill, again, increases support for our friends and allies, such as Paraguay, Argentina, and Costa Rica. As part of this effort, the bill increases funds to fight the trafficking of fentanyl, which has devastated every community and so many families across America. It also continues strong support for a democratic transition to freedom for the people of Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua, and it supports religious freedom in Nigeria and around the world. Last year, the NSRP Subcommittee, as we like to call it, focused on responsibly transitioning the program PEPFAR to capable partners and to countries that are capable of doing more. PEPFAR has been and is a great success story, but I think most of us would agree that the program, or any program, should not and cannot just go on forever in perpetuity. So working alongside the administration, countries are now investing significant resources of their own towards their own health, allowing this committee to reduce funding, but--this is key--while maintaining the same outcomes. Just as critical as what the bill funds--I have talked about some of that--is what this bill does not fund and how it demands accountability for every single tax dollar. The bill prohibits funds to the People's Republic of China, the Chinese Communist Party, and from being used by other countries to repay a debt owed to Communist China. It also prohibits lending to the PRC within the multilateral development banks, something that we shouldn't have to do. This bill does it, however. The bill continues a key provision adopted in the previous year that blocks assistance to anyone that supports, finances, or facilitates the operations of the Cuban military. It prohibits all assistance to the Taliban and puts Americans first by withholding funds from Mexico until water owed to the United States is finally delivered. Assessed funding to the United Nations is cut by $1.8 billion. No funds are included for the United Nations regular budget, and funds are prohibited to organizations such as the World Health Organization, the United Nations Relief and Work Agency, known as UNRWA, which actively contradicts U.S. priorities and national security interests. The bill helps secure justice for victims of the October 7, 2023, terrorist attack, which, by the way, includes 50 murdered Americans, by requiring full accountability for UNRWA staff involved. A key measure from last year's bill, which was enacted into law in fiscal year 2026, is also maintained in this one, requiring the Secretary of State to consider the U.N. voting record of countries in determining the allocation of funds. The bill supports full implementation of key executive orders that reflect a clear commitment to a secure border, limited government, free speech, ending censorship, ending DEI programs, and so much more. Finally, Mr. Chairman, the bill maintains all longstanding pro-life provisions. It prohibits funds to the U.N. Population Fund and upholds the President's policy on Protecting Life in Foreign Assistance. These measures, Mr. Chairman, alongside enhanced oversight and transparency, ensure American taxpayer dollars do not fund abortions, a policy that Americans overwhelmingly support. Now, before reserving, Mr. Chairman, I thank the staff of the committee on both sides of the aisle for their hard work. I, frankly, sometimes think that they are not human. Their work ethic is really beyond compare, and one cannot thank them enough, so I thank the staff. Mr. Chairman, I commend the Speaker for bringing this crucial legislation to the floor. It supports our allies and protects our national security in a smart, efficient, and thoughtful way. Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

View on ourcommons.ca ↗

Lois Frankel

Democrat 12:20 p.m.

“I don't like this bill. It has less money for diplomacy and foreign aid. I want more money for those things. I think less money makes us less safe. I don't like that it takes money away from women's health programs. I want to give money to the United Nations. I think less money will let China and Russia take over. I want America to lead with money for diplomacy and foreign aid, not just military. I think those things prevent wars.”

Official Congressional Record

Mr. Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chair, let me just start by expressing my extreme respect for my chairman, Mr. Diaz-Balart, our subcommittee, and the staff. Mr. Chair, I rise today in opposition to the Republican fiscal year 2027 National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs appropriations, and I do so with regret. This bill should be our moment to strengthen America and show the world that American leadership is more than bombs, bullying, and illegal tariffs. Done right, this bill could make our Nation more secure at home and abroad. Sadly, it falls painfully short. Rather than make smart investments in the tools that prevent conflict and build peace and prosperity, the Trump administration has chosen to put us in a war that is costing our country billions of dollars and countless lives with no end in sight. Real security requires more. It requires diplomacy, development, and humanitarian leadership. Real security means showing up before a crisis becomes a catastrophe, before instability becomes extremism, and before conflict becomes war. This is how we build alliances, and this is how we create trading partners. This is how we stop diseases before they reach our shores. This is how we keep our American sons and daughters from having to fight another war. Yet, this bill hollows out the very tools that have kept Americans safe for generations. Let's be honest about what has happened. USAID has been dismantled, programs have been terminated, and decades of experience have been cast aside. Clinics are closing, vaccines are going undelivered, and contraceptives are sitting in warehouses. Children are losing their chance to go to school, families are going hungry, communities are losing access to clean water, and people are losing their lives. If these cuts continue, researchers warn that by 2030 more than 14 million additional people could die, including 4.5 million children under the age of 5. Think about that, Mr. Chairman, 4.5 million children whose lives could have been saved. Remember, Mr. Chair, we are all in this world together. When hunger grows, when disease spreads, when poverty deepens, and when hope disappears, instability follows. Extremism finds fertile ground, and America becomes less secure, not more secure. Yet, at this moment, the world needs more American leadership. This bill tells us to retreat. It proposes $14 billion less in international affairs than just 4 years ago, a cut of more than 23 percent. These cuts weaken our diplomats, dismantle our development programs, and slash humanitarian assistance. They undermine global health efforts that stop threats before they reach our shores. Meanwhile, another appropriations bill moves us toward more than $1 trillion in defense spending, the most ever in the history of our country, and our President wants another half a billion dollars more. Let me be clear, Mr. Chairman. I believe in a strong military. I am the mother of a marine who served in two wars, and I know that we owe every serviceman and -woman more than just our gratitude. The choice should not be between military strength and diplomacy. American security depends on both. We owe those brave servicemen and - women a foreign policy that does everything possible to prevent the next war before asking them to fight in one. That is because diplomacy prevents conflict; development reduces the desperation that fuels violence; and humanitarian assistance builds stability. Strong alliances ensure that America never stands alone. These are not acts of charity. These are investments in American national security. Instead of strengthening our security, this bill walks away from it. It rescinds $1 billion in humanitarian assistance. It turns our back on the women around the world, the foundation of families and communities, by slashing family planning programs and eliminating support for UNFPA. It expands the global gag rule, imposing ideological restrictions that silence healthcare providers, denying women critical medical information, and conditioning U.S. assistance on compliance with anti- DEI and anti-LGBTQ+ policies. It even refuses to meet our commitments to the United Nations by not paying our dues. It eliminates funding for the U.S. Institute of Peace, the Inter-American Foundation, and the U.S. African Development Foundation, institutions that prevent conflict, strengthen democracy, expand economic opportunity, and advance America's interests. It turns its back on building relationships with the growing nations of Africa, the continent with the world's fastest-growing population, rapidly expanding economies, and many of tomorrow's most important partners. That is not strength. That is surrendering leadership. When America walks away, who walks in? China walks in, Russia steps in, and extremists fill the vacuum. This debate is not choosing between hard power and soft power. Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to reject this bill because America's greatest strength has not only been our military power. It is the power of ideals, the power of diplomacy, the power of compassion, the power of partnership, and the power of American leadership. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

View on ourcommons.ca ↗

Tom Cole

Republican 12:20 p.m.

“I like this bill. It spends money on security and diplomacy. It gives money to our friends. It says we will fight our enemies. It says we will watch how money is spent. It says our country will lead by being strong and smart. I want my colleagues to pass this bill.”

Official Congressional Record

Mr. Chair, I thank my distinguished friend and vice chair of the full committee, Chairman Diaz-Balart, for yielding the time and for his work on this bill. The fiscal year 2027 National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs bill makes a clear statement about American leadership: We will engage where it matters. We will invest where it counts. We will demand accountability for every dollar spent. The legislation before us today, Mr. Chairman, implements a clear- eyed and unapologetic approach to our security and democracy efforts. It leaves no doubt about our Nation's posture. America will not be passive or simply write blank checks. Every investment we make must advance U.S. interests, strengthen our strategic position, and deliver measurable results for the American people. We are putting our values into action by upholding freedom, promoting economic opportunity, supporting religious liberty, and safeguarding protections that uphold life. This approach marks a necessary course correction. Unlike previous administrations that prioritized symbolism over outcomes, President Trump and Chairman Diaz-Balart have returned U.S. engagement to a foundation of strength, accountability, and strategic purpose. On every level, this bill reiterates that it won't be optics but real results that drive our work. The measure stands firmly with our friends while drawing a clear line against our adversaries. It reinforces support for key allies, like Israel and Taiwan, and directly counters threats from Communist China and other regimes that challenge our interests and principles. It also demands greater accountability and raises expectations for our partners, recognizing that enduring alliances are strongest when responsibilities are shared. Further, it implements strategic investments that enhance U.S. leverage abroad and combat fentanyl trafficking and criminal organizations. It refocuses our diplomacy on core missions like embassy security, passport services, and promoting American businesses overseas. The bottom line is simple: This legislation recognizes that freedom and democracy are not mere ideals. They are principles that we will actively champion and advance. Chairman Diaz-Balart's bill directs resources to the highest impact priorities that strengthen America's position while cutting billions in unnecessary spending. This bill delivers security, strategic focus, and results. Mr. Chair, I thank my friend from Florida and Ranking Member Frankel for their leadership, and I thank the staff on both sides of the aisle for their hard work. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

View on ourcommons.ca ↗

Rosa L. DeLauro

Democrat 12:30 p.m.

“I don't like this bill. It cuts money for programs I want. I want more money for global health. I want more money for U.N. and women's health. I want more money for peace and development programs. I think Republicans just want to make it harder to vote. I blame the President for many problems. I want to disagree with the other side's foreign policy.”

Official Congressional Record

Mr. Chairman, I thank Ranking Member Frankel for her leadership and work on this bill. I also extend my appreciation to Chairman Diaz-Balart and Chairman Cole for their partnership. I also thank the subcommittee staff: Erin Kolodjeski, Ed Etzkorn, and Laurie Mignone on the minority side, and their counterparts on the majority: Susan Adams, Craig Higgins, Jamie McCormick, Trey Hicks, John Muscolini, Gabriella Zach, Erin McMenamin, and Clelia Alvarado. I thank them all for their work. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to this bill. It undercuts humanitarian assistance, undermines global health programs, threatens women's health, and breaks promises to our partners and our allies, while surrendering influence to our adversaries. After failing to bring this bill to the floor for several weeks, Republican leadership has decided to attach an entirely unrelated measure that would restrict voting access for American citizens. President Trump has insisted on this measure, despite opposition from members of his own party. He is afraid the American people will voice their vehement disapproval of Republican-led government and the failed policies of this administration at the ballot box in November. The President's war with Iran has been a catastrophic failure. It has cost Americans more than $130 billion in higher prices so far. President Trump began this war with no plan, no strategy, no objective, no goal, and no understanding of the consequences. Nearly 6 months into the war, and the Iranian regime is still in place. The Iranian people are not free. Their ballistic missile program is intact. Their nuclear ambitions are unchanged. Their proxies are emboldened, and gas prices are rising. Their leverage is greater than it has been before, and President Trump has not articulated any course of action to bring this conflict to a close that is even remotely intelligible. The Trump Doctrine is failure followed by failure, chaos abroad, and high costs at home. The bill that we are considering today will only set us up for more failures in the future. This bill cuts funding for global health programs, particularly in the areas of reproductive health and global health security, making us more vulnerable to infectious disease outbreaks that originate abroad. We are seeing the consequences of this administration's decisions to dismantle the USAID, withdraw from the World Health Organization, and decimate our global health systems in real time, as the current Ebola outbreak in Africa threatens to become the deadliest in history. Because it took so long to detect and due to the challenging conditions, we will likely be working to contain this outbreak for more than a year. Aid workers are working in active combat zones, putting their own lives at risk from both infection and violence to stop this disease from reaching our shores. Here we are debating a bill that would further choke off resources they desperately need to keep all of us safe. Let us not forget the Trump administration's choice to dismantle USAID is a moral tragedy. More than 500,000 children have died as a result of these cuts. It is unconscionable. This bill does not provide any funding for the U.N. regular budget, abandoning one of the longest standing institutions devoted to global peace. Undermining the U.N. only erodes our influence. It also shortchanges American businesses who receive upwards of $2 billion in U.N. contracts both here in the United States and overseas, which is more than our dues. The bill threatens women's health around the globe, blocking any funds from going to the U.N. Population Fund, which is dedicated to reducing maternal mortality and violence against women and extending family planning to women and girls everywhere. This includes work to eliminate obstetric fistula, a traumatic childbirth injury that leads to incontinence, infections, kidney disease, and infertility. By failing to provide any funding for UNFPA, the conditions under which millions of women around the world live will only become worse. Approximately 260,000 women around the world died during or shortly following pregnancy in 2023. That is 700 maternal deaths every day, one maternal death every 2 minutes. Eliminating this funding is a moral failure. This bill also eliminates funding for the U.S. Institute of Peace, the Inter-American Foundation, and the U.S. African Development Foundation. Each of these programs strengthen our influence abroad, helping to cultivate relationships with the next generation of global leaders, and prevents crises before they arise. This bill surrenders American influence to our adversaries. For every step backward we take, they take a step forward. Continually defunding the institutions that support America's international presence will have serious, lasting consequences. In less than 2 years, the Trump administration has squandered decades of American influence, undermining our ability to persuade other countries to support our values and interests without resorting to the use of force. This bill reduces our ability to reclaim any of that influence for years to come. Mr. Chairman, I encourage my colleagues to oppose this bill.

View on ourcommons.ca ↗

Mark Alford

Republican 12:30 p.m.

“I like this bill. It spends less money than last year. It puts America first. It has more oversight of taxpayer dollars. I don't want taxpayer money spent on woke projects in other countries. I want the money to stay in America. It should support our defense and industry. When we spend abroad, it should help our allies like Israel and Taiwan. This bill is about security and accountability. That's why I support it.”

Official Congressional Record

Mr. Chairman, I thank Chairman Diaz-Balart and Ranking Member Frankel for their hard work on putting this bill together. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of this fiscal year 2027 National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs funding bill. We are talking about security through responsibility today. This is a bill that does something that Washington doesn't always do: It spends less, and it prioritizes more. It cuts spending by $2.6 billion, compared to last year, while putting American interests and national security first. It also demands fiscal responsibility. It strengthens oversight of taxpayer dollars, especially, with new accountability for grant programs, to make sure that taxpayer dollars are not spent on woke projects, like a transgender opera in Colombia. Mr. Chairman, this legislation also makes a simple promise to the American people: If American taxpayers are footing the bill, then more of that money should stay right here in America. It is pretty simple. It should stay in America to support our defense, to support our industrial base, and to strengthen Made in America procurement. When we do spend abroad, it should serve American interests, supporting our allies like Israel and Taiwan. This bill, Mr. Chairman, is about security. It is about accountability, and it is about putting America first. That is why I strongly urge its support.

View on ourcommons.ca ↗

James R. Walkinshaw

Democrat 12:30 p.m.

“I don't like this bill. It cuts foreign aid. I want taxpayers to spend money on aid programs like USAID. Aid protects us from diseases. It's the right thing to do. Cutting foreign aid won't balance the budget. Aid is a small part of spending. I think foreign aid is important for American values and security.”

Official Congressional Record

Mr. Chairman, America's strength in the world has never been that we are perfect. It is that, unlike our adversaries, we have consistently aspired to lead by example and with our values. Building the capacity of a local community abroad to combat deadly diseases like malaria, Ebola, tuberculosis, and HIV is not just the right and just thing to do. It serves American interests. Disease outbreaks do not respect borders, and investments in global health protect Americans at home. That is why the dismantling of USAID is so dangerous. USAID isn't a charity. It was boots on the ground, a force multiplier for the CDC and our broader national security efforts. Let's be honest. Slashing foreign aid will not balance the Federal budget. Anyone with a calculator knows you are not going to address the skyrocketing deficit by cutting programs that amount to a rounding error in Federal spending. This is about American values and American security. Mr. Chairman, that is why I cannot support this bill. It ignores the reality of what has already been lost.

View on ourcommons.ca ↗

Riley M. Moore

Republican 12:40 p.m.

“I like this bill. It spends money to protect Christians in Nigeria. Many Christians have been killed there. I went to Nigeria last year. We have a plan to help the Nigerian government protect Christians. Our plan is working. This bill will make Nigeria do more to protect Christians if they want our help. I want everyone to vote yes on this bill. We should support Christians.”

Official Congressional Record

Mr. Chair, I rise in support of this legislation, and I thank Chairman Cole and Chairman Diaz-Balart for their leadership on this bill. This bill reinforces the important work we have championed to combat the persecution of Christians in Nigeria where nearly 100,000 Christians have been killed since 2009. Last year, President Trump asked Chairman Cole and myself to investigate the slaughter of Christians in Nigeria, with myself and Chairman Diaz-Balart going to Nigeria. Since then, we have worked with the Trump administration to develop a strategy that provides assistance to the Nigerian Government in their defense of Christians while holding President Tinubu's government accountable if they fail. The U.S.-Nigeria security agreement is already bearing fruit, including eliminating ISIS' number two globally. This bill bolsters our strategy by conditioning 50 percent of all U.S. assistance to Nigeria on measurable actions to protect Christians. It also puts a spotlight on the Middle Belt where we have not seen nearly enough progress in protecting Christians against Fulani Islamic terrorists. With this vote, we will express the support of this Chamber for the report we presented to the White House on how to end the Christian genocide in Nigeria. Mr. Chair, the United States must never turn a blind eye to our persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this bill.

View on ourcommons.ca ↗

Steny H. Hoyer

Democrat 12:40 p.m.

“I don't like this bill. It doesn't give money to Ukraine. I want more money for Ukraine's military. I want more sanctions on Russia. A Senator who supported Ukraine died. I want to honor him by sending more money and sanctions. I think Ukraine might win soon. This bill won't help Ukraine win.”

Official Congressional Record

Mr. Chair, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. Mr. Chair, sadly, I cannot agree with Chairman Cole. This bill does not send a strong message to our friends, nor does it send an unmistakable message to our adversaries. Sadly, this bill has zero for Ukraine, our ally fighting the Russian invader. That is a grave mistake and absolutely the wrong approach. It is a dangerous signal at a time when we ought to show unwavering support for Ukraine's defense of its homeland. Yesterday marked 40 days since the House passed the Ukraine Support Act. That bipartisan legislation would provide Ukraine with an additional $8 billion in loans for military procurement as well as $1.3 billion in direct security assistance. It also would impose new sanctions that will further erode Vladimir Putin's ability to continue this illegal, immoral, and unjust war. Now, it is the Senate's turn to act. Over the weekend, America lost a champion in the effort to stand with Ukraine. Senator Graham understood that America's responsibility was to ensure that Ukraine has every resource it needs, but none in this bill. Not just to survive but to win. Senator Graham died just hours after returning from Ukraine and securing bipartisan agreement on a new punishing sanction bill. I hope that all of us in the House and Senate will honor his memory by continuing to vigorously support Ukraine. Its drone strategy is creating space on the battlefield for real movement. Something is in the air, and it is the feeling that victory is not only achievable but increasingly within reach. This bill does not send a strong message of that objective. Not the end of the beginning, but finally, hopefully, perhaps the beginning of the end. The Acting CHAIR (Mr. Weber of Texas). The time of the gentleman has expired.

View on ourcommons.ca ↗

Steny H. Hoyer

Democrat 12:40 p.m.

“I don't like this bill. I want to send money and weapons to Ukraine. I want to look strong on the world stage. I want people to see that America sends a lot of support to its allies. I don't want people to think that America will ever back down.”

Jefferson Shreve

Republican 12:40 p.m.

“I like this bill. It does what conservatives want. It puts America first. It watches foreign aid closely. It is pro-life. It punishes countries that don't allow religious freedom. Most important, it fights scams from China that take a lot of money from Americans. It fights human trafficking. It helps other countries stop these scams. I want my colleagues to vote for this bill.”

Official Congressional Record

Mr. Chair, I rise in strong support of fiscal year 2027 National Security and Department of State Appropriations Act. This legislation candidly and simply delivers on conservative promises, helps put America first while conducting vigorous oversight of our foreign assistance programs. It upholds longstanding pro-life protections, and holds foreign governments that violate religious freedoms are held accountable. Importantly, this legislation delivers on my number one priority, pushing back on the Chinese-linked foreign scam operations that have bilked Americans out of countless of billions of dollars. It provides the critical tools to fight human trafficking these syndicates engage in and, frankly, rely upon while building up the law enforcement capacity of partner nations to stop these scammers. Mr. Chair, I support these commonsense provisions in the underlying bill, and I urge my colleagues to do the same.

View on ourcommons.ca ↗

Norma J. Torres

Democrat 12:40 p.m.

“I don't like this bill. It cuts too much money. We need to spend more money on programs to help other countries. If we don't spend money, bad things will happen. I want us to spend more money on diplomacy and peace. I want us to spend more money helping people in other countries. If we don't, China and Russia will take over. Cutting money will cause more problems. We need to spend more money to stop drug cartels and help young people.”

Official Congressional Record

Mr. Chair, I thank the chairman and ranking member of our committee for their work, but unfortunately, I rise today to speak about hard facts, not political talking points. This bill cuts our security and diplomatic resources by $12 billion compared to last year. This is a 20 percent gutting of our global tools in just 2 years. When we look at where these cuts actually hit, they defy any commonsense strategy for our national security. First, this bill completely defunds the Inter-American Foundation. This agency funds local community-led programs in Latin America that keep young people out of drug cartels and gangs. One of these very programs cut youth criminal activity by 90 percent. We cannot claim that we want to see a secure border and stop drug trafficking while simultaneously defunding the most cost-effective, proven programs that stop cartel recruitment at the source. Second, it completely defunds the U.S. Institute of Peace. We are being asked for billions for the Iran war, but they want to close down the tools we have to stop conflicts before we are forced to send our young men and women in uniform into harm's way. Third, it cuts over $1 billion from the United Nations. When we walk away from the table, we don't leave a vacuum. We just invite China and Russia to step in, take our place, and write the global rules. Finally, this bill slashes $1.5 billion from emergency humanitarian aid. Cutting off food, clean water, and medicine during historic global instability is a guarantee for more regional chaos and health emergencies that eventually end up at our borders. These are just a few of the cuts in the bill that compromise our national security and strengthen our adversaries.

View on ourcommons.ca ↗

Harriet M. Hageman

Republican 12:40 p.m.

“I like this bill. It will cut spending. It will fight against climate change rules. It will stop bad U.N. agencies. I don't want the U.N. to make us pay for climate change. I don't want China to control U.N. agencies. This bill will stop that. I want America to be in charge. We should pass this bill.”

Official Congressional Record

Mr. Chair, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 8595, the National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act. I commend Chairman Diaz-Balart for his bold leadership to reform U.S. foreign aid over the last several funding cycles. Today, we have a bill before us with additional important reforms. This bill puts forward a second consecutive year of spending cuts, counters the global climate lunacy agenda, and holds rogue U.N. agencies accountable. Specifically, this bill delivers real solutions on issues I have prioritized over the last several years. Since 2023, the U.N. has been setting the stage for nations to sue one another for violations of climate change treaties, with the spoils of these lawsuits being for so-called climate reparations. Foreign countries and global environmentalists are seeking to target our country and energy producers at the expense of the U.S. taxpayer. This bill aligns with legislation I have introduced to block climate reparations. Secondly, Washington, D.C., has turned a blind eye to the Chinese Communist Party's infiltration of the United Nations, with our taxpayer dollars being used to fund the CCP's malign influence agenda. The CCP has been successful in winning elections to lead various strategic U.N. agencies and then modifying their policies to the benefit of Beijing rather than the West. The legislation before us today cuts off U.S. resources to those U.N. agencies that embrace CCP leadership. America should be steering the decisions of these organizations, not the CCP. H.R. 8595 further advances a bold new agenda of American foreign relations, and I commend Chairmen Diaz-Balart and Cole for their leadership. Mr. Chair, I encourage all of my colleagues to support this bill.

View on ourcommons.ca ↗

Lois Frankel

Democrat 12:50 p.m.

“I want to let Ms. Wasserman Schultz speak. She is from Florida. She is also the top Democrat on a subcommittee about military construction and veterans.”

Debbie Wasserman Schultz

Democrat 12:50 p.m.

“I don't like this bill. It doesn't spend enough money on things I like. Our country is in trouble. The other side is bad and reckless. They caused many deaths. The President is bad too. He only cares about money and power. His decisions make Americans poorer. This bill doesn't protect women and girls. It takes away their rights. Many women will die because of it. I tried to change the bill but the other side stopped me. The bill gives the President too much money. He will waste it. The bill won't help poor children. It's a bad bill.”

Official Congressional Record

Mr. Chair, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. Mr. Chair, the State Department funding bill that we are considering here fails to meet this critical, historic moment. Our Nation is at a dangerous crossroads. We are at war, a war that Congress never voted to authorize, a war so recklessly managed that our allies increasingly see us as a threat rather than a reliable partner. Yet, amid this global chaos, Republicans have abandoned investments to make the world a safer, healthier place. Their callous neglect has caused hundreds of thousands of needless deaths along the way. President Trump has given up our seat at the table. He has put down the torch of liberty and democracy, all so he can glad-hand dictators and stuff his family's pockets. All the while, working Americans get poorer as the direct result of Trump's chaotic decisions on tariffs, immigration, and military action. Instead of addressing real threats to our security, our interests, and our values abroad, this bill doubles down on petty, partisan culture war riders. This Republican bill includes a provision to suppress reproductive freedom abroad by boycotting humanitarian groups that provide lifesaving care to women and girls. Is anyone surprised the same party that rips away Americans' reproductive rights and guts our healthcare is running the same anti- choice playbook worldwide? Experts predict tens of thousands more unsafe abortions and maternal deaths. No part of this is pro-life. When I filed an amendment to strike this expanded global gag rule, Republicans refused to even allow a vote. This bill does nothing to reverse Trump's America-last self-sabotage, his disdain for our neighbors in Haiti and Venezuela, or his racist refugee exclusion policy. Instead of holding him accountable for his corruption, it offers Trump a $1.5 billion slush fund. That is $1.5 billion siphoned from law enforcement, peacekeeping, global health, and, yes, directly from starving children. With the deficit exploding, prices out of control, and Americans crying out for relief, I can't imagine a worse prescription than a blank check for a President out of control. When this bill came out of our committee, I thought it couldn't get any worse.

View on ourcommons.ca ↗

Debbie Wasserman Schultz

Democrat 12:50 p.m.

“This bill is bad. I don't like it. It's attached to another bill I don't like. That bill is racist. It suppresses voters. It only helps the President's family. I am voting no. This bill won't help you unless you are related to the President. The other side added the bad bill because they are far-right extremists. They held the House hostage. That's reckless and dangerous.”

Grace Meng

Democrat 12:50 p.m.

“This bill cuts our national security budget. It funds tax cuts for billionaires instead. It makes the military budget bigger. It destroys humanitarian aid. It causes many preventable deaths. We should grow our diplomatic presence. We should invest in programs that tackle conflict. This bill gives ground to our adversaries. It lets them reshape the U.N. without U.S. influence. It attacks women and girls. It bans funding to the U.N. Population Fund. It targets minorities and LGBTQ+ people. Our national security budget is not waste. It is not a playground for ideologies or attacks. It is a strategic investment.”

Official Congressional Record

Mr. Chair, my constituents in Queens are facing an affordability crisis, and this bill will only make it worse by endorsing a failed America-alone policy that diminishes our presence on the world stage, abandons women and girls, and guts our soft power. This bill cuts our national security budget by another 6 percent to fund more tax cuts for billionaires and a proposed military budget now exceeding $1.5 trillion. That is a ``trillion'' with a capital T. It comes after this administration destroyed USAID, clawed back hundreds of millions in humanitarian aid already approved by Congress, and canceled over 80 percent of our foreign aid programs. Existing cuts have already led to an estimated 760,000 preventable deaths and are projected to cause up to 23 million by 2030. Instead of gutting diplomacy and development to pay for a record Pentagon budget, we should be growing our diplomatic presence and investing in programs that tackle conflict and instability at the roots. By eliminating funding for the U.N., this bill would cede ground to our adversaries, letting Russia and China reshape the U.N. without meaningful U.S. influence. It also doubles down on attacks on women and girls, gutting international family planning and banning funding to the U.N. Population Fund. Instead of abandoning the world's women and girls, we should be investing in them. It also locks in the administration's expanded global gag rule, exporting a radical rightwing agenda, politicizing aid, and targeting women, minorities, and LGBTQ+ people--people who look to America as a beacon of freedom, not repression. Our national security budget is not waste. It is not a playground for radical social ideologies or attacks on the world's most vulnerable populations. It is a strategic investment in America's security, global stability, and the power of democracy.

View on ourcommons.ca ↗

Gabe Amo

Democrat 12:50 p.m.

“This bill is bad. It makes us less safe. It makes us sick. Republicans want to ban support for the World Health Organization. The World Health Organization coordinates the response to Ebola. Republicans want to cut funding for public health. That makes it hard to respond to cyclospora. Thousands of people are sick. We should work with other countries to prevent disease. We should not stop funding international health efforts.”

Official Congressional Record

Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to H.R. 8595. This disastrous bill doesn't just turn America's back on the world. It makes Americans less safe and more vulnerable to disease. An Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda has taken more than 700 lives and infected more than 1,900 people. American citizens have already been infected, and the outbreak will spread if we fail to contain it. Republicans' solution? Ban the United States from supporting the World Health Organization, the group coordinating the response to the Ebola outbreak. The story of outbreaks fueled by Republican shortsighted cuts does not end there. Here at home, we are responding to a growing cyclospora outbreak that has sickened more than 1,600 people across more than 30 States, with thousands more cases under investigation. Public health officials are still working to identify the source of the outbreak. They are facing an uphill battle thanks to Trump and Republicans' deep cuts to the CDC's public health workforce and the program that monitors foodborne illness. The cause and effect is clear. When Republicans slash public health funding and stop monitoring the spread of disease, Americans get sick. For this reason, at the appropriate time, I will offer a motion to recommit this bill back to committee. If the House rules permitted, I would have offered the motion with an important amendment to this bill. My amendment would strike provisions that prohibit U.S. participation in international public health efforts through the World Health Organization and the pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response accord. Disease prevention and surveillance at home and abroad protect American families. Infectious diseases do not stop at borders. We are safest when we work with partners around the world to detect outbreaks early, share information, and respond before disease reaches our borders. Mr. Chair, I include in the Record the text of my amendment.

View on ourcommons.ca ↗

Gregory W. Meeks

Democrat 12:50 p.m.

“I don't like this bill. It cuts funding by 20 percent. That locks in Trump's cuts. Trump fired people. Trump cut programs. Now we have Ebola. We have screwworm. This bill damages national security. It cuts funding for the United Nations. That helps China and Russia. It cuts funding for an ally. That makes no sense. The bill cuts funding for many programs. That undercuts American leadership. We need to invest in diplomacy and development. That prevents wars. I want more funding. I urge a no vote.”

Official Congressional Record

Mr. Chair, I rise today in opposition to the fiscal year 2027 appropriations bill for the State Department and foreign operations. Last year, the Trump administration illegally dismantled USAID and fired over 1,300 State Department employees. It rescinded $13 billion for critical humanitarian and development programs, and now House Republicans want to approve legislation that amounts to a 20 percent cut from 2025 enacted levels, locking in those dangerous Trump cuts. It isn't penny-wise, and it certainly is pound-foolish. Case in point: When the administration cut funding for global health, it ended key disease outbreak surveillance and prevention programs. Now we have the second largest Ebola outbreak on record and are scrambling to protect U.S. livestock from the New World screwworm. Our Republican colleagues have also made in order many amendments that would further damage our national security interests. Prohibiting funding for the United Nations means abdicating U.S. leadership to competitors like China and Russia. Prohibiting funding for an ally like Jordan makes zero sense amidst the fallout of President Trump's war of choice with Iran and the devastating humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Cutting off funding for the National Endowment for Democracy, The Asia Foundation, East-West Center, Peace Corps, Millennium Challenge Corporation, Asian Development Fund, and African Development Bank Group further undercuts American leadership and democracy around the world. Sustained investment in our diplomatic and development institutions is essential if you want to prevent wars instead of paying for them. Mr. Chairman, this bill does not deliver, and I urge a ``no'' vote.

View on ourcommons.ca ↗

Lois Frankel

Democrat 1:00 p.m.

“You started a war. That costs billions of dollars. You should show leadership. This bill does not. It makes us less safe. I want the bill to be better. I urge a no vote.”

Official Congressional Record

Mr. Chairman, I yield myself the balance of my time to close. Sadly, this bill arrives at a time when the Trump administration has chosen to put us into a war that is costing our country billions of dollars and countless lives, with no end in sight. I hope I am wrong, but that is what it looks like. This bill should be a moment to strengthen America and show the world that American leadership is more than bombs, bullying, and illegal tariffs. Done right, it could make our Nation more secure, at home and abroad. Instead, it is falling painfully short. A strong America requires both hard power and soft power, because military strength alone cannot prevent every conflict, stop every pandemic, build every alliance, or open every new market for American workers. When America leads with diplomacy, development, and humanitarian leadership, we make our Nation stronger and safer. When America retreats, our adversaries advance. This bill retreats from American leadership, and it makes America less secure. Mr. Chairman, I hope and I expect that we can still improve this legislation as it moves through the legislative process. Until then, I urge a ``no'' vote, and I yield back the balance of my time.

View on ourcommons.ca ↗

What they said. What they meant.

Recent debates

National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2027

Mario Diaz-Balart

Mario Diaz-Balart

Lois Frankel

Tom Cole

Rosa L. DeLauro

Mark Alford

James R. Walkinshaw

Riley M. Moore

Steny H. Hoyer

Steny H. Hoyer

Jefferson Shreve

Norma J. Torres

Harriet M. Hageman

Lois Frankel

Debbie Wasserman Schultz

Debbie Wasserman Schultz

Grace Meng

Gabe Amo

Gregory W. Meeks

Lois Frankel