WATCH: Chairman Díaz-Balart Delivers Opening Statement at Full Committee Markup of the FY 2026 National Security & State Department Funding Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, House Appropriations Committee Vice Chair and Chairman of the National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Subcommittee Mario Díaz-Balart (FL-26) delivered the following opening remarks during the House Appropriations Committee Full Markup.

Chairman Díaz-Balart's opening remarks as prepared for delivery:

"I am pleased to present the Fiscal Year 2026 National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs appropriations bill to the full committee for consideration and approval.  Let me thank Chairman Cole for his essential leadership at the helm of the Appropriations Committee and for his wisdom in refocusing this subcommittee, starting by changing the name, to better reflect that the investments made on behalf of the American people are to advance U.S. national security. 

"I also want to thank Ranking Member Frankel and Ranking Member DeLauro, and all the members of the subcommittee for your partnership in developing this bill. 

"The bill before us today delivers on President Trump’s America First agenda. First, we drastically reduce spending by cutting 22 percent from the enacted level. The greatest threat to our country’s stability and security is our debt, and this bill decisively, but responsibly, reins in spending. These cuts are in addition to the 6 percent cut achieved in the final enacted version of the FY24 State-Foreign Operations Act, which was carried forward in the CR. 

"Within the remaining funds, the bill prioritizes our national security, especially in the Western Hemisphere, the Middle East, and the Indo-Pacific. It provides unwavering support for Israel and fully funds the United States-Israel Memorandum of Understanding by providing $3.3 billion in security assistance to allow Israel to defend herself from existential threats.  Other key partners and allies in the Middle East, such as Egypt and Jordan, are strongly supported. 

"The bill includes funding and conditions to confront the national security threat posed by the Chinese Communist Party, including through a new provision that prohibits support for academic institutions partnering in STEM programs with PRC- or CCP-controlled colleges in Communist China, continues to prohibit foreign assistance from being used to repay loans to the PRC, and many other key limitations on funding regarding the PRC. 

"$500 million in foreign military financing and up to $2 billion in loans and loan guarantees are provided for Taiwan to strengthen deterrence across the Taiwan Strait.  Strong support is also provided for other key partners in the Indo-Pacific such as the Philippines and the Pacific Islands countries. 

"This bill continues important investments to combat the trafficking of fentanyl and the transnational criminal organizations behind the scourge of drug addiction confronting every community in America. 

"The bill creates the America First Opportunity Fund, which will enhance United States leverage abroad and enable a rapid response to crises. It also creates the National Security Investment Programs account, a new account that facilitates efficient, strategic deployment of programs that support United States national security interests. Together, this realignment of resources ensures that our foreign policy is focused on making Americans safer, stronger, and more prosperous.

"Critically important, the bill maintains all long-standing pro-life provisions alongside enhanced oversight and transparency measures to ensure American taxpayer dollars do not fund abortions, a policy that Americans overwhelmingly support.  

"This bill makes clear that the days of a weak American foreign policy are over. Funding is cut, conditioned, or withheld to countries that are no longer advancing shared interests, such as: Colombia, due to the Petro Administration’s abject failures in preventing political violence, creating economic deterioration, and emboldening transnational criminals; South Africa, unless it ceases cooperation with our adversaries and upholds the rule of law; and Mexico, until it meets the requirements on water deliveries to the United States in accordance with the terms of the 1944 Water Treaty. 

"The bill also blocks assistance to anyone that supports, finances, or facilitates the operations of the Cuban Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces or Ministry of the Interior. I am grateful President Trump and Secretary Rubio used language I included in the fiscal year 2024 bill to sanction anti-American thugs in the Cuban regime who work closely with American adversaries. 

"The bill demands unprecedented accountability of the United Nations and other international organizations. It brings greater scrutiny to the actions of member states, including their voting records at the United Nations, in determining the allocation of funding.

"No funds are included for the United Nations Regular Budget, and funds are prohibited to: the World Health Organization, the United Nations Commission of Inquiry against Israel, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), the United Nations Human Rights Council, the International Criminal Court, and the International Court of Justice. 

"Furthermore, the bill includes a new provision to demand justice for victims murdered in the October 7 terrorist attacks, including American citizens, by requiring full accountability for the UNRWA staff involved in this vicious attack. 

"These are just a few examples of how this bill strengthens national security and supports an America First foreign policy. But there’s more. 

"The bill prohibits funds for controversial or ineffective programs that Americans do not support and our allies and partners don’t need. The bill supports full implementation of key Trump Administration Executive Orders that reflect a clear commitment to national sovereignty, secure borders, limited government, and American values, including those related to restoring free speech and ending censorship; ending DEI programs; and many others.  

"I would note that many of these limitations were carried in the last two House-passed State-foreign operations bills, and for good reason. I was pleased to see President Trump embrace these policies through Executive Orders in the early days of his Administration.

"Let’s face it—it was no secret that the Biden Administration was funding controversial, wasteful programs, and even programs that were harmful to our national security.  I sounded the alarm, publicly and privately. I raised it in every hearing. We debated it extensively during our markups, as I’m sure we will again today. 

"The sad reality is that funds were being used to fund drag shows, DEI hiring, and even labs of the Communist Chinese Party.  I hope we can all agree now that these prohibitions are needed, or we risk losing the American people’s support for these important investments. Americans must be reassured that funds in this bill will promote our national security.  

"Throughout this process the goal is to be good stewards of taxpayer dollars, represent our constituents’ priorities in foreign assistance, and, above all, protect United States national security. This bill would not be what it is without the valuable input from each Member on this panel. Your thoughtful recommendations have shaped the measure before you and I am grateful for your contributions."

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