Diaz-Balart Remarks on H.R. 7006, Financial Services and General Government and National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2026

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. As Chairman of the National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Subcommittee, I rise in strong support of H.R. 7006.

This full-year funding bill to carry out our nation's foreign policy is historic in many ways.

First and foremost, the bill restores fiscal sanity by reducing spending by 16 percent, which is nearly a $10 billion cut, in recognition of the President and the Secretary of State's efforts to make the State Department more efficient, streamlined, and responsive to national security priorities.

Within these dramatic but necessary cuts, the bill makes sure that the Secretary has the resources he needs to counter our adversaries like China, Iran, the cartels in our hemisphere, and the regime in Cuba.

The bill takes serious steps forward in confronting the regime in Cuba. And it includes limitations on funding for countries and organizations that participate in the trafficking of Cuban medical professionals, while directing the Secretary of State to revoke visas for officials of countries involved in this human trafficking.

But a smart foreign policy doesn't just require opposing our enemies. It means supporting and standing with our friends and allies who can be a force multiplier on our national security interests.

That's why this bill acknowledges our friends and provides robust assistance for allies and partners like Israel, Egypt, Jordan, Taiwan, and the Philippines.

For too long we have ignored our neighbors in our own region. This bill changes that and provides special emphasis to key partners in the Western Hemisphere who are aligned with our values and policies, such as Costa Rica, Panama, Paraguay, Argentina, and the Dominican Republic.

The bill increases funding for counter-fentanyl and synthetic drug programs to stop these deadly poisons from crossing our borders. It puts American businesses first by prioritizing diplomatic engagement to favorably resolve commercial disputes abroad and to promote American business interests overseas. This bill also makes sure that we're spending money according to our American values. It increases support for religious freedom and to address religious persecution. 

The bill also maintains longstanding pro-life provisions and enhances oversight and transparency over these requirements. It protects free speech and prohibits censorship by "disinformation" and "misinformation" programs that violate the rights of American citizens. The bill makes double digit cuts to UN funding and gives the Secretary of State the tools and leverage to demand much-needed reforms.

These are historic changes in our approach that the American people have been demanding for decades.

And the FY 26 bill removes controversial funding directives from the CR, like UN climate funds.

Throughout this process the goal is to be good stewards of taxpayer dollars, represent our constituents' priorities within this funding, and, above all, protect United States national security.

This bill would not be what it is without the valuable input from every Member of this body.

Your thoughtful recommendations have shaped the measure before you and I am grateful for your contributions.  I want to thank my longtime friend and Ranking Member Lois Frankel as well as my friend Foreign Affairs Chairman Mast.  I also want to thank my staff, this bill would not have happened without them, my Clerk Susan Adams, and the entire majority and minority staff.

We have no greater duty to the American people than to protect the security of our county while safeguarding taxpayer dollars. This bill plays an integral part in that noble endeavor and for that reason I urge my colleagues to support this measure, and I reserve the balance of my time.