Committee Approves FY26 National Security, Department of State Appropriations Act

July 23, 2025

Washington, D.C. – Today, the House Appropriations Committee met to consider the Fiscal Year 2026 National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act. The measure was approved by the Committee with a vote of 35 to 27.

National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Subcommittee Chairman Mario Díaz-Balart (R-FL) said, "As Chairman of the Subcommittee that funds U.S. national security interests abroad, I am pleased that the FY 2026 funding bill, building on prior triumphs, was approved by the House Appropriations Committee. Together, we’re advancing President Trump’s America First foreign policy, delivering a 22 percent reduction in funding compared to the enacted levels for FY 2025, while further strengthening the national security of the United States. This bill reinforces President Trump’s vision of 'Peace Through Strength' by restoring American leadership, standing in strong solidarity with our allies, advancing freedom, and confronting the malign forces that threaten U.S. national security and endanger American lives. I thank Chairman Tom Cole for his leadership and my colleagues for advancing a bill that focuses on effective, accountable priorities that strengthen U.S. national security.”

Chairman Tom Cole (R-OK) said, "Peace through strength isn’t a matter of chance – it is the result of effective policy, national focus, and directing resources to where they drive maximum impact. This FY26 NSRP bill defines that sharpened leadership and approach. Every action and investment we make protects and promotes U.S. security, prosperity, and values. We counter our adversaries, support democracy and human rights, and reinforce our country's role as a force for good, keeping Americans safer at home and advancing freedom abroad. This legislation reflects Chairman Díaz-Balart’s steady leadership and strategic vision. I’m proud to help deliver on our commitment to a stronger, safer America with today's approval."

Subcommittee Chairman Díaz-Balart's opening remarks are available here.
Chairman Cole's opening remarks are available here.

Fiscal Year 2026 National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act

The National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs (NSRP) Appropriations Act provides a total discretionary allocation of $46.218 billion, which is $13.13 billion (22%) below the Fiscal Year 2025 enacted level, $5.5 billion below the House-passed FY25 NSRP bill, and delivers on the America First agenda.

Within the total cuts, the NSRP bill maintains robust funding for our allies like Israel, Jordan, Egypt, and Taiwan, and counters adversaries like the Communist People’s Republic of China, Iran, Venezuela, Cuba, and drug cartels – including those designated as Foreign Terrorist Organizations. The bill supports the President’s vision to refocus and realign foreign policy to make America safer, stronger, and more prosperous, while ensuring all funds are spent in a manner consistent with relevant executive orders.

Key Takeaways

Champions America First Foreign Policy by:

Redefining foreign assistance to promote self-sufficiency, bolster economic growth and stability, and protect our national security.
Creating the America First Opportunity Fund to ensure the Secretary of State has the flexibility to quickly respond to unforeseen opportunities to advance the America First foreign policy agenda.
Requiring consideration of a country’s cooperation on United States priorities such as migration issues, opposing foreign adversaries, burden sharing, and United Nations votes in determining economic assistance allocations.
Prioritizing United States commercial interests.

Supports the Trump Administration and mandate of the American people by:

Upholding America First priorities by promoting a foreign policy that supports our allies, counters our adversaries, focuses on economic prosperity and national security, and eliminates contributions to multilateral organizations that are wasteful and antithetical to American values.
Supporting President Trump’s executive orders to ensure no wasteful spending on DEI or woke programming, climate change mandates, or divisive gender ideologies.
Allowing only the American flag and other official government flags to be flown over U.S. embassies.
Prohibiting funds for irresponsible migration, endorsing President Trump’s executive orders on border and migration.
Encouraging the Secretary of State to consider how countries are cooperating, or not cooperating, on migration matters when deciding how to allocate foreign assistance.
Prioritizing funding and policies to combat the flow of fentanyl and other illicit drugs into the United States.

Protects life, supports American values, and enhances our standing in the world by:

Protecting long-standing pro-life provisions as well as enhancing oversight and transparency over program implementation to ensure American taxpayer dollars will not fund abortions.
Removing vague references to “gender” and clearly outlines our support for women and girls.
Supporting religious freedom programs abroad and religious freedom protections for faith-based organizations delivering foreign aid.
Prohibiting funds for the Arms Trade Treaty.
Banning “disinformation” and “misinformation” programs that violate the free speech rights of American citizens.

Bolsters U.S. national security and border protections by:

Providing unwavering support for Israel by including no less than $3.3 billion in Foreign Military Financing Program funds.
Providing robust assistance to Egypt and Jordan, two key U.S. partners.
Including $500 million for the Foreign Military Financing Program for Taiwan to strengthen deterrence across the Taiwan Strait, and up to $2 billion in loans and loan guarantees for such purpose.
Fully funding the Countering PRC Influence Fund at $400 million.
Providing $1.8 billion for United States national security interests in the Indo-Pacific and to counter the PRC’s malign influence.
Prohibiting funds for the PRC and the Chinese Communist Party – prohibits funds for countries to repay debt owed to China, prohibits support for academic institutions partnering in STEM programs with colleges or universities in China controlled by the PRC or CCP, and prohibits funds for international financial institutions generating loans to the PRC.
Promoting freedom and security in the Western Hemisphere.

Safeguards American taxpayer dollars and preserves core functions by:

Prioritizing fiscal sanity and the elimination of waste, fraud, and abuse by strategically investing in partners to help them achieve durable and sustainable goals in the United States national security interest.
Supporting efforts to reduce duplication, eliminate siloes, and streamline foreign policy under the direction of the Secretary of State to support a nimble and effective Department.
Eliminating funding for certain unauthorized programs, organizations, or functions.
Eliminating funding for Biden-era executive orders on climate, gender, DEI, and extraneous or irrelevant programs that diluted the mission of America’s foreign policy.
Including a new directive to the Secretary of State to establish a strategy for transitioning PEPFAR programs off of United States assistance.
Consolidating and reducing the number of assistance accounts to facilitate efficient, strategic allocation of funds for programs that support United States national security interests.
Prioritizing diplomatic engagement to favorably resolve commercial disputes abroad and to promote American business interests overseas.
Refocusing attention on critical diplomatic functions, such as addressing passport applications and ensuring the safety and security of our embassies.

A summary of the bill is available here.

During the markup, Committee Republicans also stood with the America First agenda and rejected Democrat amendments that would have:

Restricted the implementation of the America First agenda.
Prevented the Department of State and other agencies from managing its own workforce.
Hampered efforts to streamline government and save taxpayer dollars.
Expanded spending without offsets.
Constrained the official work and responsibilities of Trump Administration officials.
Diverted investment from the America First Opportunity Fund, a President Trump priority focused on making the U.S. safer, stronger, and more prosperous.
Permitted taxpayer dollars to be used to promote abortion and fund the UN Population Fund.
Weakened U.S. immigration enforcement efforts, including the deportation of MS-13 members and other dangerous criminals to prisons in El Salvador.

Adopted Amendments

Díaz-Balart #1 (Republican En Bloc) – Makes technical changes, withholds funds from the UN and other international organizations who deny Taiwan observer status, strengthens Iran sanctions and enforcement, upholds the Gulf of America designation, confronts Muslim Brotherhood threats, and combats CCP-linked scam centers that target Americans.
- The amendment was adopted by a vote of 34 to 27.
Frankel #2 – Invests in regional security partnerships in Africa.
- The amendment was adopted by voice vote.
Espaillat #1 – Supports better oversight of electronic waste exports to adversarial countries.
- The amendment was adopted by voice vote.

Bill text, before adoption of amendments, is available here.
Bill report, before adoption of amendments, is available here.

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