Budget Hearing – Department of State and Related Programs

House Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs

2025-05-21

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Source: Congress.gov

Summary

The meeting of the Subcommittee on National Security, Department of State, and related programs convened to hear testimony from Secretary Rubio regarding the President's fiscal year 2026 budget request for the Department of State and related programs.[ 00:18:07-00:18:09 ]

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 Chairman Diaz-Balart welcomed new members and acknowledged the change in the subcommittee's name to better reflect its focus on U.S. national security.[ 00:18:20-00:20:15 ]

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 Secretary Rubio was praised for his leadership and commitment to advancing President Trump's "America First" foreign policy agenda.[ 00:20:38-00:20:52 ]

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Themes

Foreign Aid and Budgetary Changes

The administration's budget proposes a significant reduction of about 48% for the Department of State, largely offset by rescissions from prior year balances.[ 00:22:10-00:22:15 ]

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 This aligns with the chairman's past efforts to cut the international affairs budget, driven by concerns over the previous administration's "extreme agenda" and "polarizing and politically charged programs."[ 00:22:29-00:23:35 ]

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 Secretary Rubio stated the goal is to return foreign policy to national interests and align spending with defined American benefits.[ 00:42:43-00:43:09 ]

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 He emphasized that aid will be provided differently, focusing on empowerment at the embassy level and integrating various tools of statecraft tailored to specific countries, with an expectation of a "return" for the United States, such as votes in international organizations. The Secretary highlighted numerous programs he deemed absurd or not in the national interest, such as funding for transgender opera or a Big Cat YouTube channel, as justification for reforms.

Concerns Regarding Foreign Aid Cuts and Reforms

Ranking Member Frankel expressed alarm over the reckless dismantling of foreign assistance programs, accusing the administration of jeopardizing humanitarian and policy leadership. She asserted that foreign assistance is a strategic investment vital for national security, economic competitiveness, and global standing. The "chaotic freeze and termination" of over 5,200 programs without congressional consultation or a clear plan has led to millions starving, education halted, and HIV testing cut, creating vacuums that China or terrorist groups might fill. Ranking Member DeLauro further accused the administration of illegally freezing congressionally appropriated funds, dismantling USAID, and causing human lives to be lost. She questioned the Secretary's accountability for billions of dollars of appropriated funds and the termination of statutory programs like basic education and international family planning.

Global Security and Diplomatic Engagements

The Secretary discussed ongoing international challenges, including the Ukraine-Russia conflict, stating there is "no military solution" and it must end in a negotiated settlement with concessions from both sides. He noted the President's efforts to engage with both Russia and Ukraine to achieve a sustainable peace. Regarding the Middle East, specific concerns were raised about humanitarian aid to Gaza and the release of 58 hostages held by Hamas.[ 01:12:46 ]

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[ 01:34:05-01:34:45 ]

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 The Secretary confirmed opposition to funding UNRWA due to concerns about Hamas's influence and acknowledged efforts to find alternative aid delivery mechanisms. The threat posed by China was identified as a principal concern, especially regarding intellectual property theft, evasion of export controls, and civil-military fusion, with discussions on protecting U.S. technology and vetting Chinese nationals in U.S. universities.[ 01:17:13-01:17:54 ]

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 In Latin America, the administration's approach distinguishes between democratic allies, less friendly democracies, and autocracies, prioritizing benefits for allies and countering sources of instability like Nicaragua, Venezuela, and Cuba. The Secretary highlighted efforts to combat human trafficking by disrupting networks and addressing mass migration, which he viewed as a significant contributor to the problem.

Tone of the Meeting

The tone of the meeting was largely contentious and divisive. Majority members expressed strong support and appreciation for Secretary Rubio's "bold decisions" and "courage" in reforming foreign aid to prioritize U.S. national interests.[ 01:10:05-01:10:39 ]

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[ 01:27:36-01:27:55 ]

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 In contrast, minority members were highly critical and accusatory, challenging the legality, ethics, and practical implications of the administration's foreign aid cuts and reorganization. There were moments of frustration and disagreement, particularly when the Secretary was pressed for specific answers on funding and the fate of terminated programs, often deferring to OMB for guidance.[ 01:02:09-01:02:11 ]

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 However, the dialogue maintained a level of decorum, with both sides expressing a desire to work together on future appropriations despite clear policy differences.

Participants

Transcript

Thank you.   Thank you.   Thank you.   Thank you.   Thank you.
Thank you.   Thank you.
The Subcommittee on National Security, Department of State, and related programs will come to order.  Secretary Rubio, it is a deep sense of honor and privilege to have you here with us today to provide testimony on the President's fiscal year 2026 budget request for the Department of State and related programs.   Now before I get started, I want to recognize the subcommittee's new members.  We've got a tremendous group of members.  Each member has something very unique to contribute, and I'm so grateful to have them on the panel.  I want to welcome   news subcommittee ranking member my dear friend lois frankel lois uh lois uh the secretary actually lois and i go back many many years we served together in the florida legislature and while the ranking member and i don't agree on everything i cannot think of a better partner in leading the subcommittee i would also like to welcome the new members of the subcommittee uh from the majority uh   Julia is not here, but we have Julia Letlow, who is a returning member of the subcommittee.  John Molinar, who is the chairman of the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party.  Mark Alford, who brings important experience from the Armed Services Committee, among other things.  And from the minority, we have, again, a personal friend of mine, Mike Quigley, who has joined the subcommittee.   Now, I'd also like to take a moment to recognize our subcommittee vice chairman.  I didn't forget you, Chuck.  On the contrary, Chuck has been a tremendous vice chair, and I look forward to continuing working together with you.  And I want to thank the chairman of the full committee, obviously, for appointing such a great member.  Finally, I need to acknowledge our tremendous leader, full committee chairman Tom Cole, who, again, I think there's nobody better in the country to lead this committee, and his counterpart ranking member, Delora.   Chairman Cole did an important thing.  Among the things that he's done, to this subcommittee at the beginning of Congress, changed its name to better reflect the investments being made on behalf of the American people that are intended to advance U.S.
national security.  I am committed to ensuring that the fiscal year 26 National Security Department of State and related programs appropriation bills does just that.  Let me once again welcome   Secretary Rubio, I firmly believe that there is no one better in our entire country who could serve as our Secretary of State in this critical time.  Mr. Secretary, your steadfast leadership, your devotion to country and to freedom, and your focus on national security are exactly why you have my full confidence in advancing President Trump's foreign policy agenda.  In just four months,   In just four months, the President, with your assistance, Mr. Secretary, has achieved really remarkable victories for the American people and our national security.  Let me just name a few.  Taking back the Panama Canal from China's influence.  Freeing 47 American detainees abroad.  Designating the Houthis, cartels, and also dangerous criminal gangs as foreign terrorist organizations.   obtaining the Bahamas' pledge to directly pay Cuban doctors, ending the practice of human trafficking, compelling the government of Colombia to accept deported migrants as to what was arranged, all of this while carrying out several other important official duties.  It's really been tremendous to watch, Mr. Secretary.  So again, I congratulate you and the President for the choice that he made in having you in this position.   Turning to the matter at hand, Mr. Secretary, the spending proposal of the fiscal year 2026 budget request for the Department of State represents a reduction of about 48%.  It is also largely offset by rescissions from prior year balances.  I intend to provide the same scrutiny on the budget request as I have in the past years.
As you know, there are some large gaps, obviously, in the information that we have at this time, so I hope we'll receive the details backing up the request as quick as possible.  Since I became chairman of the subcommittee over two years ago, I have overseen and supported a notable reduction in funding for the international affairs budget.  The last two House bills cut funding in the double digits.   And the FY24 bill enacted into law saw the largest cut of all 12 appropriation bills at 6% in real numbers.  The FY25 bill made a few additional reductions.  Now, there was a reason why I pressed for those cuts.  The Biden administration was pushing, frankly, an extreme agenda across the State Department and USAID.   I repeatedly, repeatedly warned and publicly and privately warned that promoting controversial programs abroad would not only weaken American support for foreign aid, but also, really more importantly, harm U.S.

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