National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2027

Floor Speech

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Ms. BOEBERT. Mr. Chair, I rise today in strong support of fiscal responsibility and protecting Americans from foreign adversaries.

President Trump's domestic policy is defined by his commitment to rid the Federal Government of waste, fraud, and abuse. It is time that Congress followed through on the President's promise.

Last year, the Fulbright Program cost the American taxpayers nearly $300 million, set to be repeated in next year's State Department budget. My amendment returns these funds to the pockets of hardworking American taxpayers.

The President's FY27 budget proposed an 80-percent cut to the Fulbright Program and for good reason. For years, the Fulbright Program acted as a taxpayer-funded handout for trans fanatic, Green New Deal activists and agents of foreign powers seeking to undermine the United States of America.

While the President confronted Fulbright's board of directors about this injustice of their leftist bias, they resigned rather than face the truth.

Every year, nearly 5,000 foreign applicants receive a Fulbright Scholarship. These recipients include citizens of countries with very close ties to adversaries, such as Russia, China, and North Korea, a known pathway for agents of foreign powers to enter the United States and spy on us.

This is an unacceptable risk to the American people and our national security. The Fulbright Program is a bad deal for the American people, and my amendment restores fiscal responsibility and keeps our great Nation safe.

For the good of our country and responsibility to every American taxpayer, we must act to end this harmful and wasteful program.

Ms. LOIS FRANKEL of Florida. Mr. Chair, I claim the time in opposition to this amendment.

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Ms. BOEBERT. Mr. Chair, I have said my piece. I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. LOIS FRANKEL of Florida. Mr. Chair, I yield to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Diaz-Balart).

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Ms. BOEBERT. Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.

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