National Security and Department of State - Outside Witness Day

House Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs

2025-04-02

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Summary

This meeting of the Subcommittee on National Security, Department of State, and related programs focused on fiscal year 2026 budget requests from various organizations and the broader implications of U.S. foreign assistance policies [ 00:10:18-00:10:28 ] . Witnesses shared their priorities for funding and expressed concerns regarding recent program terminations and their impact on global humanitarian efforts and U.S. interests abroad . The Chair emphasized a return to "basics" by funding effective and accountable programs that support national security [ 00:11:30-00:11:37 ] .

Themes

Impact of Foreign Aid Freezes and Terminations

Many organizations reported significant disruptions due to recent foreign aid freezes and program terminations . Catholic Relief Services indicated that 74 programs affecting 20 million people were terminated . The International Republican Institute reported that 90 out of 95 State Department and USAID democracy programs were terminated, leading to the closure of nearly all their overseas offices and the layoff of hundreds of staff . Similarly, the National Democratic Institute lost 70% of its program funding, with 93 of 97 awards terminated, resulting in the closure of three-quarters of its field offices and the loss of nearly 1,000 personnel . Adesia Nutrition, while not having contracts terminated, reported being owed $24 million since October, which impacts their partners on the ground . Food for the Hungry also had two US-supported food programs terminated or in limbo, threatening the jobs of 1,500 staff . The U.S. Overseas Cooperative Development Council's programs were terminated on February 26th . All USAID programs in Armenia were terminated . Several speakers, including the Ranking Member, highlighted the negative consequences of these cuts on global stability and US influence .

National Security and Global Leadership

A central theme was the argument that foreign assistance directly contributes to U.S. national security and global leadership [ 00:11:37-00:11:52 ] . Speakers emphasized that investing in global health, education, and stability abroad makes America "safer, stronger, and more prosperous" . For instance, polio eradication prevents outbreaks in the U.S. , and global health initiatives serve as an early warning system for infectious diseases . Democracy programs were presented as vital for countering authoritarian regimes and building alliances . Efforts to clear landmines and manage weapons also contribute to regional stability and reduce threats to U.S. personnel .

Global Health and Humanitarian Aid

Several organizations requested continued or increased funding for critical global health and humanitarian programs . Rotary International sought $85 million for polio eradication, citing its cost-effectiveness and protection against outbreaks . Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, requested $340 million to vaccinate more children, emphasizing its role in health security and supporting U.S. manufacturing jobs . Kiwanis International requested support for maternal and neonatal tetanus and iodine deficiency programs, which prevent severe mental impairment and infant mortality . Friends of the Global Fight and Malaria No More advocated for substantial funding for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, and the President's Malaria Initiative, noting their success in saving lives and boosting economic growth in recipient countries . Adesia Nutrition highlighted the life-saving impact of ready-to-use therapeutic foods for malnourished children .

Education and Democracy Promotion

Witnesses underlined the importance of education and democracy support programs as tools for U.S. foreign policy [ 00:48:04 ]

[ 00:39:04 ] . The American University of Afghanistan (AUAF) presented education as a deterrent to radicalization, especially for women, and an instrument for peace and stability [ 00:48:03-00:48:05 ] . World Learning requested $741 million for State Department educational and cultural exchanges, highlighting their role in building networks, enhancing security, and generating economic benefits in the U.S. . The International Republican Institute and the National Democratic Institute advocated for strong funding for democracy programs, asserting they create new allies, counter adversaries, and promote freedom and individual liberty [ 01:01:51-01:01:57 ] . The Global Campaign for Education U.S. requested $970 million for basic education programs, linking investment in education to improved lifelong learning, economic returns, and reduced numbers of out-of-school children [ 01:40:15 ] .

Specific International Concerns

The hearing also addressed specific geopolitical and humanitarian issues [ 00:27:58 ]

. The Rio Grande Valley Sugar Growers testified on the severe impact of Mexico's non-compliance with the 1944 Water Treaty, which led to the closure of a sugar cooperative and agricultural harm in Texas [ 00:27:58-00:29:13 ] . They urged Congress to enforce the treaty . APAC requested $3.3 billion in security assistance for Israel, emphasizing its role against Hamas and Iran, and its shared interests with the U.S. . The Armenian Assembly of America called for enforcing sanctions against Azerbaijan and providing security and humanitarian aid to Armenia, particularly for displaced persons from Nagorno-Karabakh, amidst ongoing existential threats .

Tone of the Meeting

The meeting maintained a formal yet urgent tone, marked by a palpable concern over the future of U.S. foreign assistance . The Chair underscored the necessity of effective and accountable programs for national security, while the Ranking Member expressed distress over widespread program terminations and their humanitarian consequences [ 00:11:30-00:11:37 ] [ 01:42:36-01:42:41 ]

. Many witnesses conveyed their appreciation for past support but also delivered earnest appeals for continued funding, highlighting the critical impact of their work and the detrimental effects of recent cuts . The Vice Chairman reiterated the Secretary of State's framework, suggesting difficult decisions lie ahead regarding programs that directly benefit American safety, strength, or prosperity . Overall, the atmosphere was one of advocacy, with a clear focus on the strategic value and humanitarian imperative of foreign aid [ 01:42:43-01:42:48 ] .

Participants

Transcript

Mr. Tom Schultz

Thank you.

Mario Diaz-Balart

Subcommittee on National Security, Department of State, and related programs will come to order. Good morning, everybody. I want to welcome you all to the subcommittee's outside witness hearing for fiscal year 2026. Yesterday, we heard from several members of the House of Congress on their priorities and requests for fiscal year 26, for the fiscal year 26 bill. I'd like to reiterate a couple of points I made to the members during the member day hearing. When I took over as chairman of this subcommittee in 2023, it became very clear to me that the previous administration was really pushing controversial and divisive policies abroad. I did it multiple times. I repeatedly warned the Biden officials privately and publicly and in hearings that just funding things that were controversial or radical was not only contrary to US interests, but would also jeopardize the public's support for foreign assistance. And in the I told you so category, we are witnessing the fallout from this. But here's a question. Where do we go from here? As we work through the fiscal year 26 cycle, I'm a firm believer that we've got to get back to basics, frankly. My expectation is to fund effective, accountable programs to support our national security. Uh, many of you are here, uh, today are instrumental, instrumental in that effort. So I want to thank all of you, uh, including all the people who make up the organizations that you represent, uh, for your efforts to further key priorities, uh, and policy goals that all Americans, all Americans can be proud to support. So I look forward to listening to each of you, to your remarks and insights as we begin the fiscal year, 2026 process. Now, given the significant interest in participating in this hearing, we will, and again, there are going to be other organizations that we're not going to be able to have speak to us today, but their submissions will be, their testimony will be submitted to the record.

Mario Diaz-Balart

Now, I'd like to remind our witnesses present today to please, and I know it's not easy, summarize your remarks within three minutes, and remember that your full testimony will be included in the record. We have limited time and a lot of participants and a lot of interest. So I will be using the gavel more than usual. Usually, I like to be flexible. And we have a great relationship, by the way, the members of the subcommittee. But I want to try to keep us on schedule. I don't expect it. But if there are any disruptions or any interruptions by agitators or anybody else, we will have them removed. And we will have them removed quickly. Now, look. I am so thrilled and honored to have, I think, the best ranking member that I could ever have. And just so everybody knows, her and I have known each other for many, many years, and we have areas where we disagree and we have areas where we agree. But I will tell you, nobody's a tougher advocate and a more sincere advocate and a more effective member than the ranking member that I'm now going to yield to.

Lois Frankel

I would say maybe the only agitator might be me. Good point. So listen, I have a few things to say. But I want to say this, because I'm not happy with what's been going on, obviously. But I do want to say this. I have gotten to know this committee, and I know this gentleman for a lot of years. I could not think of a better group of people to have to go forward under the circumstances that we have. But listen, thank you all for being here. We're convening this hearing at what I think is a moment of crisis for our nation's foreign policy and humanitarian leadership. Those of you who are going to come here today, you're uniquely positioned to speak, if you feel like it, to the real and devastating consequences of recent decisions that have threatened decades of progress. Because we all understand that foreign assistance is not charity, it's strategy. It's one of the most effective tools that we have to advance America's security, economic strength, and global stability. And yet, it's been less than 1% of the federal budget. And these investments help countries recover from crises, tackle long-term challenges, build resilience. And they're not just lifelines for others. They are safeguards for us. But today, we are facing the reckless and unilateral dismantling of USAID and other agencies this committee's jurisdiction.

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