Mario Diaz-Balart
Representative for Florida · Republican · United States
“(3) Notification on excess defense articles.--Prior to providing excess Department of Defense articles in accordance with section 516(a) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, the Department of Defense shall notify the Committees on Appropriations to the same extent and under the same conditions as other committees pursuant to subsection…”
“(a) Prohibition.--None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available pursuant to titles III through VI of this Act shall be obligated or expended to finance directly any assistance to the government of any country whose duly elected head of government is deposed by military coup d'etat or decree or, after the date of enactment of…”
“(a) Prior Consultation and Notification.--Funds appropriated by this Act, prior Acts making appropriations for national security, Department of State, and related programs, or any other Act may not be used to implement a reorganization, redesign, or other plan described in subsection (b) by the Department of State or any other Federal dep…”
“(B)(i) The President may waive the provisions of section 1003 of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1988 and 1989 (Public Law 100-204) if the President determines and certifies in writing to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the President pro tempore of the Senate, and the appropriate congressional committees…”
“(h) HIV/AIDS Working Capital Fund.--Funds available in the HIV/AIDS Working Capital Fund established pursuant to section 525(b)(1) of the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2005 (Public Law 108- 447) may be made available for pharmaceuticals and other products for child survival, malaria, and tu…”
“(c) Aircraft Coordination.-- (1) Authority.--The uses of aircraft purchased or leased by the Department of State with funds made available in this Act or prior Acts making appropriations for national security, Department of State, and related programs shall be coordinated under the authority of the appropriate Chief of Mission: Provided,…”
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Every one of 587 lines we hold for Mario Diaz-Balart, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 1 of 12.
“Madam Chair, I move that the Committee do now rise. The motion was agreed to. Accordingly, the Committee rose; and the Speaker pro tempore (Ms. Tenney) having assumed the chair, Ms. King-Hinds, Acting Chair of the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union, reported that that Committee, having had under consideration the bill (H.R. 8595) making appropriations for national security, Department of State, and related programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2027, and for other purposes, had come to no resolution thereon. ____________________”
“Madam Chair, to conclude, as I said just a few minutes ago, and I said it at the opening of the debate on this bill: If you are a friend or an ally of the United States, this bill supports you. If you are an adversary or you are cozying up to our adversaries, you are not going to like this bill. All of that we do, by the way, while significantly cutting spending. The reason we have alliances and partnerships has to be and is to support our own security. Our partnership with Jordan is indispensable in opposing terrorism in the Middle East. Supporting Jordan helps the national security interest of the United States, which is why I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time. {time} 1400 The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Massie).”
“Madam Chair, it is a dangerous world, and the Middle East is a very dangerous neighborhood, but Jordan is one of our most important allies in the Middle East. It is a bulwark against extremism and terrorism. Jordan has been on the front line of the fight against ISIS. It is an essential partner in stopping Iran's terrorist proxies like Hezbollah and Hamas. For decades, Jordan has generously hosted refugees from numerous conflicts across the Middle East, but this is the key point: The United States, the American people, are safer because of Jordan. For that reason, it is well worthwhile to make sure that Jordan has the resources it needs to keep contributing to our collective security. Madam Chair, I urge defeat of the amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.”
“Madam Chair, as I have said before with this bill, and I have said it many times: If you are an ally and a friend of the United States, this bill supports you. If you are an adversary, you are not going to like this bill. We have no stronger ally than the State of Israel. This is our commitment under the MOU, which is why I respectfully, but very strongly--very strongly--oppose this amendment. Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.”
“This does not, in any way, prejudge the outcome of ongoing negotiations. This is about fulfilling our commitment to one of our closest and most important allies that we have in the entire world at a time when terrorists are butchering people around the world. We made that commitment because it makes the American people--our country--stronger. Madam Chair, I urge defeat of the amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.”
“The United States and Israel have worked together on successful military operations like those in the past year to decimate Iran's nuclear program and missile capabilities. Israel is also using the overwhelming majority of this funding to actually purchase American- made weaponry, so it actually helps our defense industrial base and our economy. We have worked together extensively on developing military capabilities and other capabilities. Because of these advancements for our mutual interest and security, there is currently a discussion of moving to a new security partnership with Israel after fiscal year 2028. Just to be clear, the assistance in this bill for fiscal year 2027 is under the terms of the existing MOU, memorandum of understanding, which runs for 2 more fiscal years.”
“Madam Chairwoman, as chairman of this subcommittee since 2023, I am proud to be a leader in this body in providing unwavering support to our friend and ally, Israel, especially-- especially--after the October 7 terrorist attack. The $3.3 billion in foreign military financing for Israel included in this bill supports American--our--national security interests overseas. We see the same terrorists and terrorist entities that threaten Israel also threaten the United States and our people directly. When we give Israel the tools and capabilities to eliminate these terrorist threats and to protect their homeland, while including the many Americans who visit and live there, we are making America and the American people safer.”
“Madam Chairwoman, I claim time in opposition to the gentleman's amendment. The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from Florida is recognized for 5 minutes.”
“It is an important facilitator to our national security goals. Mr. Chair, I very respectfully urge a ``no'' vote on this amendment.”
“to develop key relationships with senior leaders of national security, technology, business, and entrepreneurship. Also, it strengthens U.S. relationships in fields that advance U.S. interests. In a recent official trip to South America, I heard directly from President Trump's ambassadors about how the Fulbright Program is a valuable tool to combat Confucius centers from Communist China and other CCP malign influence efforts in this hemisphere. This is a program that gives us the opportunity to, again, create those long alliances that have been so helpful. It cultivates future leaders who champion our values, not Chinese values, and also, again, combats Chinese surveillance, data breaches, et cetera. This bill makes large reductions in wasteful programs, but Fulbright is not one of those programs.”
“Mr. Chair, I thank the ranking member for yielding. I rise in respectful opposition to the amendment offered by the gentlewoman from Colorado. I share, by the way, and understand her desire to reduce spending. As a matter of fact, since 2023, as I mentioned before, I have cut spending under the purview of this subcommittee by $12 billion. The bill that we are considering right now puts forward an additional $2.7 billion in reductions. In this bill, the education and cultural exchange programs account is also reduced. It is actually $94 million below the fiscal year 2024 enacted level. We did cut back funding, but we left in place sufficient funds to support exchange programs that we can show make America safer, stronger, and more prosperous. The Fulbright Program is the crown jewel of our exchange programs. It allows the U.S.”
“Mr. Chairman, I appreciate the cooperation of my colleagues, the ranking member and others. I urge adoption of these bipartisan amendments en bloc, and I yield back the balance of my time.”
“Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the bipartisan amendments en bloc, which includes amendments from both sides of the aisle. The amendments include nine noncontroversial amendments that advance the priorities of both sides, including support for Taiwan, countering the PRC's influence in Latin America and the Caribbean, better leveraging U.S. assistance to Mexico, and increasing funding designated to combat human trafficking. Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to support these amendments, and I reserve the balance of my time.”
“Pursuant to House Resolution 1423, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Diaz-Balart) and the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Lois Frankel) each will control 10 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Diaz-Balart).”
“plaskett of virgin islands Page 30, line 19, after the dollar amount insert ``(reduced by $1,000,000) (increased by $1,000,000)''. amendment no. 21 offered by mr. roy of texas Strike section 7027(a). amendment no. 24 offered by mr. roy of texas Page 193, line 5, strike ``30 percent'' and insert ``50 percent''. amendment no. 25 offered by mr. stanton of arizona Page 7, line 16, after the dollar amount, insert ``(reduced by $5,000,000) (increased by $5,000,000)''. amendment no. 26 offered by mr. stanton of arizona Page 172, line 10, after the dollar amount, insert ``(reduced by $5,000,000) (increased by $5,000,000)''. amendment no. 29 offered by mr. tran of california Page 31, line 6, after the dollar amount, insert ``(reduced by $5,000,000) (increased by $5,000,000)''. The Acting CHAIR.”
“Mr. Chair, pursuant to House Resolution 1423, I offer amendments en bloc. The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendments en bloc. [[Page H4515]] Amendments en bloc consisting of amendment Nos. 3, 7, 17, 18, 21, 24, 25, 26, and 29, printed in part A of House Report 119-749, offered by Mr. Diaz-Balart of Florida: amendment no. 3 offered by mrs. cammack of florida Page 230, line 16, after the dollar amount, insert ``(increased by $5,000,000)''. amendment no. 7 offered by mrs. kim of california Page 22, line 15, after the dollar amount, insert ``(reduced by 2,000,000)''. amendment no. 17 offered by ms. plaskett of virgin islands Page 34, line 17, after the dollar amount insert ``(reduced by $1,000,000)''. amendment no. 18 offered by ms.”
“Mr. Chairman, this is a really good bill. I have already talked about it, and you have heard other people talk about it. It strengthens the national security interests of the United States. It supports our allies. It confronts our adversaries, and, yes, it does all of that while saving taxpayers' money. Mr. Chairman, I urge a ``yes'' vote, and I yield back the balance of my time.”
“Mr. Chair, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Wyoming (Ms. Hageman), but this is proof that you don't have to be on the Appropriations Committee to have a huge impact on the bill.”
“Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Moore), an important member who has brought great experience to the subcommittee. {time} 1240”
“Mr. Chairman, I am now pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Alford), a valuable member of the National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Subcommittee.”
“Mr. Chairman, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Cole), who is the chairman and the leader of the Appropriations Committee.”
“Their work ethic is really beyond compare, and one cannot thank them enough, so I thank the staff. Mr. Chairman, I commend the Speaker for bringing this crucial legislation to the floor. It supports our allies and protects our national security in a smart, efficient, and thoughtful way. Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time. {time} 1220”
“The bill supports full implementation of key executive orders that reflect a clear commitment to a secure border, limited government, free [[Page H4481]] speech, ending censorship, ending DEI programs, and so much more. Finally, Mr. Chairman, the bill maintains all longstanding pro-life provisions. It prohibits funds to the U.N. Population Fund and upholds the President's policy on Protecting Life in Foreign Assistance. These measures, Mr. Chairman, alongside enhanced oversight and transparency, ensure American taxpayer dollars do not fund abortions, a policy that Americans overwhelmingly support. Now, before reserving, Mr. Chairman, I thank the staff of the committee on both sides of the aisle for their hard work. I, frankly, sometimes think that they are not human.”
“No funds are included for the United Nations regular budget, and funds are prohibited to organizations such as the World Health Organization, the United Nations Relief and Work Agency, known as UNRWA, which actively contradicts U.S. priorities and national security interests. The bill helps secure justice for victims of the October 7, 2023, terrorist attack, which, by the way, includes 50 murdered Americans, by requiring full accountability for UNRWA staff involved. A key measure from last year's bill, which was enacted into law in fiscal year 2026, is also maintained in this one, requiring the Secretary of State to consider the U.N. voting record of countries in determining the allocation of funds.”
“The bill prohibits funds to the People's Republic of China, the Chinese Communist Party, and from being used by other countries to repay a debt owed to Communist China. It also prohibits lending to the PRC within the multilateral development banks, something that we shouldn't have to do. This bill does it, however. The bill continues a key provision adopted in the previous year that blocks assistance to anyone that supports, finances, or facilitates the operations of the Cuban military. It prohibits all assistance to the Taliban and puts Americans first by withholding funds from Mexico until water owed to the United States is finally delivered. Assessed funding to the United Nations is cut by $1.8 billion.”
“Last year, the NSRP Subcommittee, as we like to call it, focused on responsibly transitioning the program PEPFAR to capable partners and to countries that are capable of doing more. PEPFAR has been and is a great success story, but I think most of us would agree that the program, or any program, should not and cannot just go on forever in perpetuity. So working alongside the administration, countries are now investing significant resources of their own towards their own health, allowing this committee to reduce funding, but--this is key--while maintaining the same outcomes. Just as critical as what the bill funds--I have talked about some of that--is what this bill does not fund and how it demands accountability for every single tax dollar.”
“It provides unwavering support for Israel and fully funds the United States-Israel Memorandum of Understanding by providing $3.3 billion in security assistance. The bill recognizes the valuable partnerships in the Western Hemisphere which continue to expand and realign under the leadership of President Trump and Secretary Marco Rubio. The bill, again, increases support for our friends and allies, such as Paraguay, Argentina, and Costa Rica. As part of this effort, the bill increases funds to fight the trafficking of fentanyl, which has devastated every community and so many families across America. It also continues strong support for a democratic transition to freedom for the people of Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua, and it supports religious freedom in Nigeria and around the world.”
“If you are a friend or an ally of the United States, this bill supports you, but if you are an adversary or you are cozying up to the adversaries of the United States, then, frankly, you are just not going to like this bill. This bill is the next step in strengthening our national security while reducing spending. Under Chairman Cole's leadership, House Republicans have delivered nearly $12 billion in responsible cuts within the purview of this subcommittee just since 2023. The fiscal year 2027 bill continues this work with another $2.7 billion in reductions, yet our national security priorities are funded at or above prior year levels. The bill maintains $1.8 billion for partners in the Indo-Pacific, including $500 million in military assistance for Taiwan.”
“At the outset, I thank Chairman Cole for his invaluable leadership and commitment to ensuring that Congress upholds its responsibility to provide the tools necessary to safeguard our national security along with his partner in this endeavor, Ranking Member DeLauro. I also thank the ranking member of the subcommittee, Ranking Member Frankel, for the longstanding relationship that she and I have--we have been friends for many, many years--and for her valuable contributions during the bill development process. I will tell you, anybody who knows Lois Frankel, she is tough, but she is always trustworthy. Mr. Chairman, this bill is very straightforward.”
“Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I am pleased to present the fiscal year 2027 National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs appropriations bill to the House for consideration and for approval. Now, let me start by noting the untimely, sad passing of our friend and colleague, Senator Lindsey Graham. As chairman of the State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Subcommittee in the Senate, he was my counterpart. We worked together closely on our top priority, the national security of the United States. Senator Graham was a tough negotiator, but always, always, an honorable partner. He will be greatly missed, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family, his staff, and those who knew and loved him.”
“8595) making appropriations for national security, Department of State, and related programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2027, and for other purposes, with Mr. Patronis in the chair. The Clerk read the title of the bill. The CHAIR. Pursuant to the rule, the bill is considered read the first time. General debate shall be confined to the bill and shall not exceed 1 hour equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Appropriations or their respective designees. The gentleman from Florida (Mr. Diaz-Balart) and the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Lois Frankel) each will control 30 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Diaz-Balart).”
“Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on H.R. 8595 and that I may include tabular material on the same. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Florida? There was no objection. The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Bost). Pursuant to House Resolution 1423 and rule XVIII, the Chair declares the House in the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for the consideration of the bill, H.R. 8595. The Chair appoints the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Patronis) to preside over the Committee of the Whole. {time} 1210 In the Committee of the Whole Accordingly, the House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for the consideration of the bill (H.R.”
“Accordingly, the Committee rose; and the Speaker pro tempore (Ms. Tenney) having assumed the chair, Ms. King-Hinds, Acting Chair of the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union, reported that that Committee, having had under consideration the bill (H.R. 8595) making appropriations for national security, Department of State, and related programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2027, and for other purposes, had come to no resolution thereon. ____________________”
“Why should Jewish people not be able to worship at their holiest site in equal measure that all other religions get to worship at their holiest sites? I think this is a commonsense amendment. I don't think it would be inflammatory. I think it makes sense. It restores dignity, and it also restores fairness to the international religious freedom tenets that we all stand for, foundational type of religious freedoms that we actually revere in this country under our First Amendment. I urge my colleagues to vote for this commonsense amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time. The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Tenney). The amendment was agreed to. Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Madam Chair, I move that the Committee do now rise. The motion was agreed to.”
“Religious freedom is a fundamental American value, but lasting progress at the Temple Mount will come through careful diplomacy and respectful, longstanding efforts that preserve peace and stability, not through an appropriation amendment with 10 minutes of debate. Madam Chair, I urge my colleagues to reject this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time. Ms. TENNEY. Madam Chair, I respect the opinion of my colleague across the aisle, but it was also said that moving the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem was going to be too inflammatory and too dangerous. Many Presidents said they would do it. President Donald Trump did it, and it hasn't proven to be overly inflammatory. In fact, it proved to be the right place and the right thing to do. I think this is common sense.”
“Madam Chair, while this amendment may be well-intentioned, it risks inflaming tensions at one of the most sensitive religious sites in the world. The Temple Mount is sacred to both Jews and Muslims. It is at the center of competing historical, political, and religious claims. History has shown that even small changes to access or worship arrangements can spark violence far beyond Jerusalem. For decades, Israel, Jordan, and the international community have worked to preserve the longstanding status quo, not because it is perfect but because it helps prevent broader conflict while difficult issues remain unsolved. The appropriations bill is not the place to insert the United States into one of the world's most delicate religious disputes.”
“This is a basic tenet and principle of religious freedom, and the U.S. must do more on this issue. That is why my amendment would emphasize the need for the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom to work to ensure religious freedom and equal access for all with respect to the Temple Mount. I urge all my colleagues to vote for this commonsense amendment and to support religious freedom for all and support the rights of the Jewish people to freely worship at their very holiest site, the Temple Mount. Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time. Ms. LOIS FRANKEL of Florida. Madam Chair, I claim the time in opposition to this amendment. The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman is recognized for 5 minutes. Ms. LOIS FRANKEL of Florida.”
“Muslim children play soccer, practice boxing, and have picnics upon the Temple Mount, desecrating its holiness, while Jews cannot even freely worship upon the Temple Mount. You don't have to take my word for it, Madam Chair. There is photo and video evidence of all this freely available. Individuals like Dr. Melissa Jane Kronfeld have spent extensive time documenting all of this. I thank her for her efforts to draw attention to this critical issue. Further, when one of my staffers ascended the Temple Mount last year, he was harassed by Muslim onlookers, restricted from visiting most of the site, and was only allowed to be upon the Temple Mount for a very short duration of time. Madam Chair, it is unconscionable that Jews do not enjoy the same access rights to visit and pray at their holiest site that other religions do.”
“Muslims can currently enter the Temple Mount at 11 different gates, but Jews can only enter from 1 gate. Muslims can visit the Temple Mount any day of the week, but Jews cannot ascend the Temple Mount on Friday or Saturday, the Jewish Sabbath. Muslims have broad access to the Temple Mount and can pray openly upon the Temple Mount. Jews are severely restricted in their visits and do not enjoy the freedom to worship or the ability to wear their tallit and tefillin upon the Temple Mount. And for the Jews that ascend in spite of all these restrictions, they still face harassment from Muslims upon the Temple Mount. In fact, Muslim leaders have actively desecrated the site, including the planting and cultivating of trees at the inner courts of the Temple, expressly prohibited by Jewish law.”
“Page 20, line 12, after the dollar amount, insert ``(increased by $1,000,000)''. The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 1423, the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Tenney) and a Member opposed each will control 5 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from New York. Ms. TENNEY. Madam Chair, the Temple Mount, or Har HaBayit, as it is called, is the holiest site in the world to the Jewish people. During the periods of the First and Second Temples, Jews from across the land of Israel would travel to the Temple during the three annual pilgrimages. These pilgrims included figures like King Solomon, King Herod, and Jesus of Nazareth, our Lord and Savior. However, whereas Christians and Muslims enjoy broad access and religious prayer rights at their holiest sites, Jews are severely discriminated against upon the Temple Mount.”
“Furthermore, while the underlying bill directs prioritization to address the atrocities occurring in Nigeria, they should be showing willingness to utilize the funding provided to address the violence before receiving funds. Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my time. The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Steube). The amendment was agreed to. {time} 1420 Amendment No. 28 Offered by Ms. Tenney The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 28 printed in part A of House Report 119-749. Ms. TENNEY. Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk. [[Page H4523]] The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment. The text of the amendment is as follows: Page 20, line 12, after the dollar amount, insert ``(reduced by $1,000,000)''.”
“Madam Chair, the underlying bill contains several conditions for assistance to be made available to Nigeria, which includes taking effective steps to prevent and respond to violence and hold perpetrators accountable; prioritizing resources to support victims of such violence, including internally displaced persons; actively facilitating the safe return, resettlement, and reconstruction of communities impacted by the violence; and allocating sufficient resources to address the aforementioned conditions. This begs the question: If Nigeria isn't meeting these conditions fully, why should they receive any funding? If they truly want the support of the American taxpayer, then they should be meeting these goals.”
“Christian women and girls continue to be abducted, assaulted, tortured, and killed. Their churches are burned, and entire communities are erased. Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time. Ms. LOIS FRANKEL of Florida. Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my time. Mr. STEUBE. Madam Chair, may I inquire as to how much time is remaining. The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from Florida has 1\1/2\ minutes remaining. Mr. STEUBE.”
“We are approaching $40 trillion in debt. Why are we sending funds to corrupt countries overseas that are unwilling to fully address violence and persecution? The generosity of the American taxpayer should reflect American values. We can't be putting ourselves more into debt to countries that are unwilling to uphold our values. The U.S. should not borrow money to subsidize foreign governments that fail to protect innocent civilians. If the aid conditions included in the bill are important enough to withhold half of the funding to the Nigerian Government, then they are important enough to withhold all of the funding until the underlying conditions are met. The Nigerian Government continues to fail to address violence in their country. Why should they still be eligible for funding given their lackluster response to the violence?”
“Engagement does not mean writing a blank check. It means using American leadership to promote accountability, to strengthen democratic institutions, to protect human rights, and to advance our national security interests. Walking away would make neither Nigeria nor the United States more secure. Ironically, this amendment would end the very programs that this provision is trying to support, so it really doesn't make too much sense. Madam Chair, I urge my colleagues to reject it, and I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. STEUBE. Madam Chair, this amendment does not end all assistance. It only strengthens the conditions and encourages the Nigerian Government to meet them. Why should we give 50 percent of the money when the Nigerian Government has not met the criteria established in the underlying bill?”
“Nigeria is Africa's most populous nation, one of the largest economies, and a critical partner in promoting stability across West Africa. Our health programs prevent deadly diseases from spreading across borders and strengthen the capacity to respond to future pandemics. Our development assistance helps reduce poverty, improve education, expand economic opportunity, and address the conditions that fuel instability, conflict, and migration. Our security and assistance helps Nigeria combat Boko Haram, ISIS, and other violent extremist groups that threaten both regional and global security. If the United States walks away, the challenges will not disappear. Our influence will. China and Russia will be more than happy to fill the vacuum, expanding their economic, political, and military influence at America's expense.”
“Even the underlying bill recognizes the Nigerian Government's failure to meet the standard, yet it still allows for half of the funding to be released anyway. My amendment withholds all funds until they meet basic standards. Accountability can never be divided, nor should we allow anyone to exploit the generosity of the American taxpayer. I urge my colleagues to uphold accountability in our foreign aid spending and to vote for my amendment. Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time. Ms. LOIS FRANKEL of Florida. Madam Chair, I rise in opposition to the amendment. The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman is recognized for 5 minutes. Ms. LOIS FRANKEL of Florida. Madam Chair, this amendment would eliminate U.S. health development and security assistance to the central government of Nigeria. This would be a serious mistake.”
“Foreign aid should never be a reward for failure, so as our national debt is fast approaching $40 trillion, why on Earth are we still allowing our ourselves to go further into debt by rewarding corrupt foreign governments that tolerate terrorism within their borders? When churches are burned, women and girls are abducted, and terrorists operate with near impunity, that is not merely an internal disturbance. It is a direct assault on the freedoms our Nation claims to defend, which our foreign assistance must reflect and uphold. This is not about punishing the Nigerian people. It is about demanding accountability for their government's complacency and ensuring that our foreign aid is leveraged to defend, reflect, and uphold American values.”
“Never should we allow their hard-earned tax dollars to be funneled to corrupt regimes that fail to uphold religious freedom, fail to adequately confront terrorism, and fail to protect the innocent from persecution. So why are we rewarding a government that fails to meet such a basic obligation? This amendment is simple. It does not remove the aid conditions in the bill but only strengthens such conditions. Most importantly, it upholds a principle that all recipients of American taxpayer assistance should follow: that they must prove that they are willing and able to respond to violence before receiving any funding. Simply put, meet the standard before receiving support. That is the accountability that the American taxpayer deserves.”
“Nigeria has faced a horrific wave of violence that its corrupt government has failed to address. For years, and especially in recent months, Christians and other religious minorities in Nigeria have been subjected to violence and terrorism at the hands of extremists who are operating with impunity. Christian women and girls continue to be abducted, assaulted, tortured, and killed. Their churches are burned, and entire communities are erased. If the aid conditions included in the bill are important enough to withhold half of all the funding to the Nigerian Government, then they are important enough to withhold all of the funding. The generosity of our taxpayers is a reflection of the American values we hold so firmly.”