National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs

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. 

The Subcommittee will come to order.

I’d like to welcome everyone to today’s Fiscal Year 2026 subcommittee markup of the very first National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs appropriations bill.  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. 

Thank you, Chairman Diaz-Balart and Ranking Member Frankel. I’m pleased to be with you today for this important hearing before the newly renamed Subcommittee on National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs. More than mere terminology, the change reflects a renewed commitment to strategic engagement and diplomacy to build a stronger and more secure future. We are leading with sharpened purpose to ensure Americans are safer at home and abroad. The work of the State Department is core to this mission and the cause of freedom – and every action and investment we make should protect and promote U.S. security, prosperity, and values.

Secretary Rubio, it is an honor and privilege to have you with us today to provide testimony on the President’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget request for the Department of State and related programs. Before we get started, I want to recognize the Subcommittee’s new Members.  We’ve got a tremendous group -- each Member has something unique to contribute and I’m grateful to have them on this panel.