Member Day

House Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs

2025-04-01

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Source: Congress.gov

Summary

The subcommittee convened to discuss the fiscal year 2026 National Security Department of State and related programs appropriations bill, with members expressing concerns about the direction of U.S. foreign policy and the implementation of crucial aid programs. The chairperson, Mario Diaz-Balart, welcomed new members and the ranking member, Lois Frankel, emphasizing collaboration on shared priorities for effective, accountable programs supporting U.S. national security [ 00:12:04-00:12:05 ] . While acknowledging the importance of bipartisan efforts, both Republican and Democratic members voiced strong criticisms regarding perceived executive overreach and the handling of foreign assistance agencies.

Themes

Executive Actions and the Dismantling of Foreign Aid Agencies

Multiple members expressed significant concern and outrage over the alleged dismantling of key foreign aid agencies, particularly USAID, and other related programs. Mario Diaz-Balart noted a "troubling pattern" of the Biden administration pushing "controversial and divisive policies" that he believes jeopardized programs and eroded bipartisan support [ 00:13:21-00:14:14 ] . Lois Frankel, however, criticized the "Trump administration's reckless dismantling of USAID," which she deemed illegal and detrimental to global development and American leadership, leading to a void filled by rivals like China and Russia . Gregory Meeks further described a "Trump-Musk onslaught against our federal government," citing frozen foreign assistance, closed clinics, and the termination of the U.S. Agency for Global Media and hostile takeover of the U.S. Institute of Peace, all without congressional consultation . Norma J. Torres echoed these sentiments, stating such actions make communities less safe and erode global power . Jim Costa also expressed alarm at the unilateral withdrawal of support, which he believes creates a dangerous vacuum for adversaries . Gregory Meeks clarified that previous authorizations always involved bipartisan dialogue, and the current issue lies with the "abrupt cut" without consultation, believing these actions to be illegal and subject to court challenge [ 00:38:29-00:38:56 ]

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[ 00:39:38-00:39:47 ]

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. Mark Allen Alford questioned how "frivolous" programs were authorized, suggesting that only programs tied to national security should receive taxpayer funding [ 00:36:41-00:36:44 ]

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Importance of Foreign Assistance and National Security Programs

Speakers across the aisle underscored the critical value of foreign assistance and related programs for U.S. national security, prosperity, and global influence. Lois Frankel highlighted foreign assistance as a strategic investment, not a handout, that significantly advances U.S. interests . Gregory Meeks emphasized that these programs are vital for achieving foreign policy goals, competing with rivals, preventing conflicts, and responding to humanitarian crises, arguing that the U.S. cannot isolate itself in an interconnected world . He specifically cited PEPFAR (President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief), healthcare contractors, and the World Food Organization as essential programs for saving lives and preventing global pandemics . Jim Costa stressed the importance of exercising "smart power" and maintaining a strong international presence to build alliances and counter adversaries, also noting the economic benefits of USAID for American farmers . Robin Kelly championed PEPFAR, detailing its success in saving over 26 million lives and preventing millions of HIV infections, contributing to global health security and economic growth, and urged its reauthorization and continued funding . C. Scott Franklin added that a weakened PEPFAR or global health system would strain healthcare resources and compromise trading partners and national security [ 01:12:28-01:12:47 ]

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[ 01:13:24-01:13:32 ]

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Regional Geopolitical Concerns and the Rule of Law

Specific regional challenges and the broader implications of executive actions for the rule of law were also central to the discussion. Jim Costa advocated for continued assistance to Ukraine to counter Russia, calling Putin a "war criminal" and highlighting the critical role of humanitarian and economic aid . He also called for funding for Armenia, which is seeking pro-Western ties amidst hostile neighbors and needs support for refugees . Concerns were raised about Russia's history of breaking agreements and the unacceptable terms for a ceasefire in Ukraine, with fears that Ukraine's fall could destabilize other NATO partners in Eastern Europe . Domestically, Gregory Meeks pointed out that cuts to foreign agricultural programs lead to billions in lost U.S. revenue . Norma J. Torres linked the unraveling of foreign aid and trade policies to rising food prices and impacts on American farm workers, making local communities less safe [ 00:52:00-00:53:06 ]

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. Multiple speakers stressed the constitutional importance of Congress's power of the purse and the necessity of upholding the rule of law against executive actions that bypass congressional intent .

Tone of the Meeting

The meeting's tone was predominantly serious and concerned, marked by strong disagreements regarding the causes of current foreign policy challenges—some attributing them to the Biden administration's policies [ 00:13:21-00:14:14 ] , others to the Trump administration's dismantling of agencies . Speakers expressed clear outrage, alarm, and frustration over executive actions taken without congressional consultation [ 00:34:04 ]

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. Despite these divisions, there was a shared recognition of the fundamental value of foreign assistance and a desire for collaboration on critical national security programs . Calls for increased oversight and adherence to the rule of law were prominent [ 00:22:22-00:22:24 ]

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Participants

Transcript

good morning folks uh people the subcommittee on national security department of state and related programs will come to order good morning let me first welcome everyone to the subcommittee members uh day uh we're thrilled to have you before we begin i want to take a moment to welcome our new subcommittee ranking member uh she's a person that i've heard i've known each other for longer than we care yes you're the ranking member lois   uh we've known each other for well three decades and she is a trusted friend and while we certainly don't agree on everything i can't think of a better partner and a better leader to have on the subcommittee we also have several new members of the subcommittee who will add tremendously to the subcommittee with their expertise and experience including the vice chairman of the subcommittee it's good to see you sir always a pleasure   I'm really, really looking forward to the year ahead.  I want to thank my colleagues testifying today.  Thank you for taking your time out of your busy schedules to present your views and priorities for the fiscal year 26 National Security Department of State and related programs appropriations bill.  This is the first of many budget and oversight hearings that we will have during fiscal year 2026 cycle.   Lois, it doesn't feel like we just got rid of the 2025 cycle like yesterday, right?  It's a critical time and there's so much work that needs to be done in the coming months.  I became chairman of the subcommittee in 2023, at the beginning of the last Congress.  As I began to dig into the programs and their spending and what the Biden administration had done in areas of the subcommittee, it didn't take me long to find, frankly, a very troubling pattern.   in almost every program, including those with longstanding bipartisan support, the Biden administration pushed and even mandated new controversial and divisive policies.  You know, the sad part is I warned those officials privately and publicly in every single hearing, in our markups and in meetings, that they were really jeopardizing the very existence of those programs.
I'm reminding them time and time again, I kept telling them that foreign aid is not a popular issue among the American public, especially when so many Americans were struggling with their own budgets under the previous administration of inflation, et cetera.  I don't have to relitigate that.   I warned them that forcing their climate agenda, they're promoting censorship and mandating DIE in every dollar would not only be an insult to the American taxpayer, but would also work against our national interest around the globe.  And also that it would erode bipartisan support for programs critical, critical to our national security.   And now we're seeing exactly what happens in response to extreme partisan agendas that the American people don't support and clearly express that last election.  So the question is, where do we go from here?  I know my colleagues testifying today have recommendations to that end.   My priority for the fiscal year 2026 House bill is to fund effective, accountable programs that support US national security.  It's that simple.  It's what I've been saying from day one, as I mentioned at the beginning.  I take very seriously the member interest in our bill and would like to collaborate with each of you, each and every one of you on shared priorities that meet the objectives that I've just laid out.   I am so grateful to all of you for being here, and now I yield to the distinguished ranking member, my good friend, also from the state of Florida, Lois Frankel, for her remarks.
Thank you very much.  Honored to be here.  Of course, you did test our friendship with your opening remarks.   but because of my great respect for you, I'm not going to debate them, and I'll just give my own, but thank you.  Listen, this is a very good, engaged committee, and I welcome our colleagues, and I will say this.  Despite differences of opinion, I think everybody here understands the value of foreign assistance, and I know we're committed to working together.   But from my point of view, and I think many, we are in a crisis right now with our foreign policy and our humanitarian efforts.  Number one, foreign assistance is not a handout, it's a strategy at less than 1% of our federal budget, and it greatly advances our own security and prosperity.  And as I said, I think many of us in this room agree with that.   But sadly and dangerously and shockingly, this Trump administration's reckless dismantling of USAID as well as other agencies under our jurisdiction without consulting Congress is not only illegal,   It jeopardized decades of progress in global development and American leadership.  And I want to say this, every administration has the right, the responsibility to review government programs to ensure they serve the American people effectively, because we all want to make sure our tax dollars are spent in the most effective way.  However, a responsible government doesn't take a sledgehammer to vital institutions and programs without truly assessing their value   or the consequences of cutting them.  The wholesale firing of people and cutting of programs and grants is shocking.   Well, unfortunately, that's what we've witnessed.
The Trump administration has a unilateral effort to disband USAID, the Inter-American Foundation, the African Development Foundation, the U.S.  Institute of Peace, the U.S.
Agency of Global Media, and they're just knocking on people's doors every day, the Doge Boys.
They're in there probably someplace today.   And shuttering of these agencies is in direct violation of the requirements in what we used to call the SFOPs bill, which explicitly requires consultation with Congress before any effort to reorganize, redesign, or downsize.  And this dismantling of USAID compromises our national security.  It threatens our health and weakens our economy.  And all you had to do is put the TV on,
this weekend and see that, what happened in Marymoor, did I say that right, Marymoor?
Who was there in that crisis, that horrible crisis where at least 2,000 people are suspected to be trapped under the rubble?

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