Cole Remarks at FY27 National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Bill Full Committee Markup (As Prepared for Delivery)

Thank you, Chairman Diaz-Balart, and thank you to Ranking Member Frankel, Ranking Member DeLauro, and all our members. We continue full committee markups today with the Fiscal Year 2027 National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs bill.

This legislation makes a clear statement about American leadership. We will engage where it matters. We will invest where it counts. And we will demand accountability for every dollar spent. On a world stage where challenges are growing and competitors are threatening the global order, this bill ensures the United States is not passive – it is prepared, it is focused, and it is leading.

We are aligning our resources with our interests and delivering outcomes with a disciplined, strategic approach that reflects U.S. national priorities, upholds freedom, and promotes economic opportunity. This is an important shift. No longer will optics drive policy – results will. That’s the standard set by the America First agenda – and it’s also the standard Chairman Mario Díaz-Balart has applied across this bill.

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, Iran, and other regimes that challenge our interests and principles. At the same time, it raises expectations for global partners to deliver measurable outcomes and demonstrate real performance. America will always lead, but strength always multiplies when others choose to match it. The values we hold as a nation are put into action.

We defend human rights. We protect religious liberty. We uphold longstanding pro-life safeguards. And we realign funding away from low-impact efforts – directing it toward missions that strengthen America’s position at home and abroad. There is a difference between stating our values and standing behind them. Chairman Diaz-Balart has closed that gap – replacing unfocused spending with a strategy that delivers strength, clarity, and results. I thank him, Ranking Member Frankel, and the staff on both sides for their work. I look forward to advancing this bill and completing today’s work. With that, I yield back.