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

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Chair, I rise today in opposition to the fiscal year 2027 appropriations bill for the State Department and foreign operations.

Last year, the Trump administration illegally dismantled USAID and fired over 1,300 State Department employees.

It rescinded $13 billion for critical humanitarian and development programs, and now House Republicans want to approve legislation that amounts to a 20 percent cut from 2025 enacted levels, locking in those dangerous Trump cuts.

It isn't penny-wise, and it certainly is pound-foolish. Case in point: When the administration cut funding for global health, it ended key disease outbreak surveillance and prevention programs. Now we have the second largest Ebola outbreak on record and are scrambling to protect U.S. livestock from the New World screwworm.

Our Republican colleagues have also made in order many amendments that would further damage our national security interests. Prohibiting funding for the United Nations means abdicating U.S. leadership to competitors like China and Russia.

Prohibiting funding for an ally like Jordan makes zero sense amidst the fallout of President Trump's war of choice with Iran and the devastating humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Cutting off funding for the National Endowment for Democracy, The Asia Foundation, East-West Center, Peace Corps, Millennium Challenge Corporation, Asian Development Fund, and African Development Bank Group further undercuts American leadership and democracy around the world. Sustained investment in our diplomatic and development institutions is essential if you want to prevent wars instead of paying for them.

Mr. Chairman, this bill does not deliver, and I urge a ``no'' vote.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source