Diaz-Balart: SFOPS Appropriations Bill Promotes Our National Security Interests

WASHINGTON – Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL) released the following statement after the approval of the fiscal year 2015 State and Foreign Operations Appropriations bill.

"In an always changing and an increasingly dangerous world, the State and Foreign Operations Appropriations bill promotes, protects, and enhances our national security at home and abroad. This bill fully funds our security commitments to our allies Israel and Jordan, and rejects the Administration's misguided request to cut security, counternarcotics, and law enforcement efforts in our hemisphere.It addresses the influx of unaccompanied minors crossing the U.S.-Mexico border. It also maintains assistance to those suffering under totalitarian Cuba, and increases democracy promotion programs where democracy has suffered setbacks, including to Venezuela, Nicaragua, Ecuador, and Bolivia. On the global health front, the bill supports long-standing Congressional priorities, including combating and treating HIV/AIDs, TB, and malaria, and refugee assistance programs to deal with the ongoing crises.

"I am grateful to Chairwoman Granger for her steadfast leadership on this bill's passage and congratulate her on once again moving this bill through committee."