Cole Remarks at FY26 National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Bill Subcommittee Markup

Thank you, Chairman Diaz-Balart, and thank you to Ranking Member Frankel, Ranking Member DeLauro, and to all the members of the subcommittee for being with us this morning. 

Our work on today’s Fiscal Year 2026 National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs appropriations bill is a critically important step toward building a renewed and sharpened approach to United States foreign policy, while also responsibly reducing spending. 

The legislation makes clear that we will not retreat from the cause of freedom. 

This bill prioritizes our national security through robust support to our allies and through stronger efforts to counter our adversaries. 

It supports essential efforts to advance democracy and defend human rights, as well as confront adversarial regimes like the Chinese Communist Party, the terrorist financiers in Iran, and the repressive Russian Federation. 

It reaffirms our steadfast support for our great ally Israel as they fight for their existence amidst terror and evil. 

And it supports important religious freedom programs abroad and maintains longstanding bipartisan pro-life protections. 

This measure realigns our foreign assistance to prioritize high-impact programs, while also eliminating wasteful spending by strengthening oversight to prevent fraud and abuse.

As we enhance and refocus America’s leadership in the world, we ensure that Americans are safer at home and abroad without compromising fiscal responsibility. 

I thank Chairman Diaz-Balart, Ranking Member Frankel, and the majority and minority staff for their hard work. 

I look forward to consideration of this bill, which reflects a commitment to freedom and democracy.

With that, I yield back.