National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs
Chairman Mario Diaz-Balart
HT-2 The Capitol
(202) 225-2041
Majority | Minority |
| Mario Diaz-Balart – Chair | Lois Frankel – Ranking Member |
| Guy Reschenthaler | Grace Meng |
| Julia Letlow | Norma Torres |
| Juan Ciscomani | Mike Quigley |
| Chuck Edwards – Vice Chair | |
| John Moolenaar | |
| Mark Alford |
Outside Witness Testimony Instructions
Recent Activity
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I rise today in opposition to H.R. 7608, the first package of fiscal year 2021 appropriations bills to be considered by the House.
I wish the circumstances were different and I could support this very important piece of legislation that funds many key programs.
This bill supports –
- The veterans who have honorably served our country;
- The diplomats who promote American businesses and our values around the world;
- The farmers and ranchers who put food on our tables; and
- The custodians of our parks and public lands who protect our national treasures.
Unfortunately, I am not able to support the bill before us because it has some fatal flaws.
WASHINGTON – Today, the full committee met to consider the fiscal year 2021 subcommittee allocations, known as "302(b)" allocations. The appropriations bills for the subcommittees on State and Foreign Operations; Agriculture, Rural Development, and the Food and Drug Administration; and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs were also considered. Committee Republicans were unable to support the allocations or the individual bills due to a total spending level that is well above the current budget agreement and controversial policy provisions that are in the bills.
Madam Chair, thank you for yielding.
During this time of instability around the world, it is important to remember that our investments abroad can make us more secure at home. The fiscal year 2021 bill funds many programs that would do just that.
The bill provides $3.3 billion for Israel, demonstrating our unwavering support for the security of our great ally and partner.
It protects funding for embassy security and counter-terrorism programs. The bill also includes funds to advance global health, promote democracy, and address human trafficking.
Unfortunately, while there are areas where we agree, I have serious concerns about partisan riders that have been inserted and the negative impact they could have.
As I said during the subcommittee markup, the bill includes permanent changes in law that would overturn the current Mexico City Policy.
Madam Chair, thank you for yielding.
I rise in opposition to the subcommittee allocations because they do not give a complete picture of all of the spending in these appropriations bills.
Instead of working with us to develop bills consistent with the budget agreement that was reached last year, our colleagues on the other side of the aisle have unilaterally decided to include hundreds of billions of dollars in so-called "emergency" spending for things that really are not emergencies.
- Almost $200 billion dollars for infrastructure;
- Nearly $35 billion dollars to respond to the coronavirus on top of the trillions already appropriated; and
- $12.5 billion for veterans, even though it was known last year that these costs would rise.
In total, there is more than a quarter of a trillion dollars in additional deficit spending not included in these allocations.
WASHINGTON – Today, the subcommittees on State and Foreign Operations; Agriculture, Rural Development, and the Food and Drug Administration; and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs met to consider their appropriations bills for fiscal year 2021. The measures were reported out to the full committee with concerns raised by Republicans.
Madam Chair, thank you for yielding.
Before I begin my remarks about the State-Foreign Operations bill, I want to take a moment to recognize you, Mrs. Lowey, as you begin your last appropriations season.
Nita and I took turns as chair and ranking member of this subcommittee, and we accomplished many things, even though we had policy disagreements.
At the beginning, many people questioned how the Jewish grandmother from New York and the Methodist grandmother from Texas could work together. Then, several years later, we were named to InStyle magazine's "Badass 50." That tells you everything you need to know about our relationship.
We worked together on critical issues in global health, including combating HIV/AIDS and malaria, and supporting life-saving maternal and child health programs.
WASHINGTON – Top House Republican Appropriator Kay Granger (R-TX) issued the following statement today on President Trump's announcement that he is suspending funds to the World Health Organization (WHO) for 60 days while the Administration conducts a review of their role in the coronavirus outbreak and allegations that they protected China and allowed them to downplay the severity of the situation.
WASHINGTON – Top Appropriations Committee Republican Kay Granger (R-TX) released the following statement after the House passed the CARES Act.
"Our nation is facing an unprecedented pandemic, and I am proud that Congress has come together again to provide desperately needed resources and relief to the American people.
