▶ 0:08:18Committee to order. I want to welcome everybody to our second full committee markup for fiscal. It's actually our third, uh, full committee markup for 2027. Today's markup will cover national security department of state related programs. Tomorrow, we will consider the ag rural development, food and drug administration and related agencies bill are scheduled today.
▶ 0:08:43Obviously is unusual, uh, given the fact that we have a joint session of congress to hear the, uh, address by his majesty king charles. Um, we will recess at an appropriate time to allow members to make their way to the house chamber, and then that will probably be around 215. I think we're all supposed to be in our seats by 230.
▶ 0:09:05So somewhere in that neighborhood will bring things to a recess, uh, depending on the floor schedule, we also will recess for votes. Nonetheless, it's my intention to get through this today. Uh, we have a very tight schedule, so we are going to move, uh, you know, so just keep that in mind. And again, I'm, I have no problem with debate exchange amendments. That's all fine. Uh, just know that we are going to finish today.
▶ 0:09:33Uh, so I finally have a couple of brief reminders the staff has asked me to make. Uh, I'm not going to read all this, but when we're doing, when you want to request a vote, please get us the hands up as quick as you can. It's very helpful. We have to do that. Uh, so second, uh, we'll continue to observe the five minute rule. I want to thank all of you. Nobody's abused it in any way. So and we certainly will be. Try to be generous as you're finishing up around that five minute mark, if you use all your time.
▶ 0:10:01Uh, finally, uh, I don't think I need to tell you this, uh, committee prides itself in long standing commitment to orderly and respectful debate. I think that's exactly what we had last week. And I want to thank all of you, uh, for handling yourselves and representing this committee with great distinction. So, uh, with that, uh, we will begin our first order of business today again, is consideration of the national security department, state related agencies.
▶ 0:10:30And you'll now recognize, I will now recognize chairman diaz-balart to present his bill. >> thank you, Mr. chairman. If I may just take one second to first announce that, uh, I'll be providing lunch, uh, lunch time. I will also be providing a birthday cake at lunchtime because it is chairman cole's birthday today.
▶ 0:11:02>> a markup. And the king who could have a better birthday. Short. >> short, short. We've already done that. But if, uh, is it appropriate or what? Yeah. Alright, let's do the short version. Ready? Happy birthday, Mr. chairman. Um, Mr.
▶ 0:11:25Chairman, I'm pleased to present the fiscal year 2027 national security department of state and related programs appropriations bill to the full committee for consideration and approval.
▶ 0:11:40Let me start by thanking the chairman, chairman cole, for his invaluable leadership of the appropriations committee and for his commitment to ensuring that congress upholds its responsibility, our responsibility to provide the tools necessary to safeguard our national security. I also want to thank ranking member frankel. Uh, lois frankel and I have been friends for many, many years. And I will tell you, she's tough as nails, but she's honorable.
▶ 0:12:09And if she tells you something, you can count on it. It is. It's a pleasure to work with her. Uh, again, it's a pleasure to work with my colleague, uh, ranking member delauro, uh, and all the members of this committee, uh, for your ideas and insights, which have been instrumental in developing this good bill.
▶ 0:12:26The bill before us is the next step in our historic effort to strengthen our national security, while reducing spending under chairman cole's leadership and with the support of our colleagues, this republican majority has delivered nearly $12 billion in responsible cuts to spending under the purview of this subcommittee since 2023.
▶ 0:12:52In fiscal year 27, this bill continues this effort with an additional 2.7 billion reduction below the enacted level. I don't have to tell you that the greatest long term threat to our country's stability and security is our debt, and this bill makes disciplined decisions to continue reining in unnecessary spending.
▶ 0:13:17Yet our national security priorities are funded at or above prior year levels. And so let me be very clear. If you're a friend or an ally of the united states of america, this bill supports you. And if you're an adversary or are cozying up to our adversaries, well, frankly, you're just not going to like this bill.
▶ 0:13:44Then the bill maintains 1.8 billion for partners in the indo-pacific, including $500 million in military assistance for taiwan and robust funding for for the philippines and our partners in the pacific island countries. It provides unwavering support for israel and fully funds the united states israel memorandum of understanding by providing $3.3 billion in security assistance.
▶ 0:14:15Other key partners and allies in the middle east, such as jordan and egypt, continue to be strongly supported. Now recognizing the vulnerable and the valuable partnerships in the western hemisphere, which continue to expand, by the way, those partnerships and realign under the leadership of president trump and secretary marco rubio, the bill increases support for our friends and allies, such as paraguay or argentina and costa rica.
▶ 0:14:42As part of this effort, the bill increases funds for counter-narcotics and related long law enforcement efforts, including investments to combat trafficking and fentanyl, which has devastated every community across america. And I'm. All of us should be thankful to the leadership of the dean of the house and the chairman emeritus of this committee, mister rogers.
▶ 0:15:09It also continues strong support for a democratic transition to freedom for the people of cuba, venezuela and nicaragua. The bill supports the america first opportunity fund, which enhances the united states leverage abroad and enables a rapid response to crisis and strategic opportunities that may arise.
▶ 0:15:33It continues the national security investment program account, which supports efficient, targeted development, deployment of programs that support united states national security interests. You keep hearing this. There's a theme. This bill supports the national security interests of our country. Last year, the members of the nsrp subcommittee focused on how to responsibly transition pepfar.
▶ 0:15:57Uh, that program that we all know about back to partner countries that are capable, that are capable and ready. Pepfar is a great success story, but I think most of us agree that that a program or any program should not just go on forever and ever.
▶ 0:16:14So working alongside the administration countries are now committing significant sums of sums of their own resources as part of the america first global health strategy, enabling this committee to reduce funding while achieving the same outcomes, just as critical as what the bill funds is, what it does not fund, and how it strengthens conditions, prioritizes oversight, and
▶ 0:16:45Demands accountability for every single dollar in this bill. The bill prohibits funds to the people's republic of china and the communist chinese chinese party, and prohibits funds to other countries from being used to repay debt owed to china. It also requires opposition to lending to the prc within the multi other multilateral development banks. Bless you. There's a sneeze.
▶ 0:17:13If anybody's wondering why I said that, the bill continues a creep, a key provision adopted in the previous year that blocks assistance to anyone that supports finances or facilitates the operations of the cuban military, including the cuban ministry of the revolutionary armed forces, or ministry of the interior.
▶ 0:17:35It continues the prohibition on all on all assistance assistance to the taliban and puts america first by withholding funds from mexico until it delivers water owed to the united states. In accordance with the terms of the 1944 water treaty. Assess. Funding for the united nations is cut by $1.8 billion. No funds. No funds are included for the united nations.
▶ 0:18:01Regular budget and funds are prohibited to the following organizations the world health organization, the united nations commission of inquiry against israel, the united nations relief and works agency known as unrra, the united nations human rights council, if you can call it that. Uh, the office of high commissioner for human rights, the international criminal court, and the international court of justice.
▶ 0:18:28Just to start, the bill also includes a provision to help provide justice for victims murdered on october 7th, 2023 on that terrorist attack, including, by the way, 50 american citizens, 50 american citizens, by requiring full accountability for the unrest, staff involved in this vicious attack.
▶ 0:18:52In addition, the bill includes a new provision cutting off funds to any international organization that refuses to cooperate with inspector general.
▶ 0:19:04Investigations into whether october 7th terrorists are on its staff, a key measure from last year's bill, which is law, which was enacted in fy 26, is maintained requiring the secretary of state to consider the un voting record voting records, I should say, of countries in determining the allocation of funds. That's something that should have been done many, many years ago.
▶ 0:19:30The bill supports full implementation of key executive orders that reflect a clear commitment to national sovereignty, a secure border, limited government and american values, including those related to restoring free speech and ending censorship, ending dei programs and other things like that. Finally, the bill maintains all long standing pro-life prohibitions or provisions.
▶ 0:19:59It prohibits funds for the un population fund and prohibits funds from being spent in contravention of the president's policy on protecting life in foreign assistance. These measures, along, uh, alongside enhanced oversight and transparency, ensure that american taxpayer dollars do not fund abortions, a policy that americans overwhelmingly support.
▶ 0:20:24Again, I want to thank all all of the members for your invaluable contributions to this bill. Uh, I also, Mr. chairman, want to thank the staff of both sides, uh, the majority and minority, they have been working, frankly, through the night. Uh, and without them, none of this would be possible without. Mr. chairman, I yield back. >> thank the gentleman for his remarks. I'd now like to recognize miss frankel for remarks on the bill. >> thank you, Mr. chair.
▶ 0:20:53And it's an honor to serve as the ranking member of this subcommittee. Mike, I pushed the wrong button. Sorry. Okay. Uh, Mr. chairman, honored to serve alongside you and as ranking member of this subcommittee. And I do appreciate the bipartisan tradition of our work. Mr. diaz-balart, you are my friend, and you are a delight to work with.
▶ 0:21:19Um, we actually agree on a great deal. But with that said, we have real differences, which we'll talk about today, but I value that. We can work through them without acrimony. And I hope that is a model for how we can conduct this congress. I want to thank the colleagues on both sides of the aisle. We have a really terrific committee, and I do I do enjoy working with all of you.
▶ 0:21:45And, uh, finally, you know, I'm going to despite my very strong opposition to this bill, I want to thank our majority and minority staff who, under intense pressure and too many sleepless nights, help us put this package together. Uh, now, Mr.
▶ 0:22:01Chair, this bill should be our moment to lead, to live up to the mission of the national security and state department subcommittee, because real security is not achieved with just bombs and bullying and tariffs. The apparent policy of choice for this administration. Real security is built with diplomacy, development, and humanitarian leadership. That's how we build alliances. That's how we grow trading partners.
▶ 0:22:30That's how we stop disease before it comes to our shore. And that's how we stop extremism. And that's how we prevent costly wars before they begin. Done right, this bill will make america safer, but we are not there yet. And let me just say this when marking up this bill without a hearing with the secretary of state and without any assurances that the funds already approved are being used as intended.
▶ 0:22:58And that, let's be honest about the backdrop. Usaid hollowed out programs, canceled expertise, pushed out the door, and now a weakened state department is expected to carry out the full load, despite the fact that it was never built to do so. And that is not strategy. This is a set up for failure programs.
▶ 0:23:22Congress directed and funded food security, clean water, women's leadership are being ignored, with no clear plan for implementation. The administration has cut to family planning. Planning have forced clinics to close, cut off access to contraception, and left millions of women without care. Nearly 1400 clinics have shut down and 9 million people have lost access to services.
▶ 0:23:46Health care workers are reporting rises rise in cases of hemorrhage, infection, unsafe abortions and preventable deaths. And in a stunning example of waste, $8 million worth of contraceptives already paid for by the american taxpayer were left to expire in a warehouse instead of being delivered to partners ready to distribute them. And that's not all the administration's undermining, undermining numerous tools of global health leadership.
▶ 0:24:16Despite bipartisan support for the organization, it has failed to release funds for gavi, the vaccine alliance, a program that has helped prevent more than 20 million deaths since 2000, all because of rfk junior's anti-vaccine conspiracy theories. And now we are seeing coercive transactional tactics dangling life saving health assistance in exchange for unrelated demands on trade and critical minerals.
▶ 0:24:43We're also told programs like cfr are up and running, but on the ground, life saving medications are not reaching the people who need them. And this comes, uh, now, a sweeping expansion of the global gag rule, which covers nearly all nonmilitary assistance. And the consequences of all these decisions have been devastating. In just one year, the cuts have led to over 750,000 deaths, 88 lives every hour.
▶ 0:25:08While malaria surges, hiv treatment is disrupted and clinics shut down, and the projections are even worse. Up to 22 million preventable deaths by 2030. And what does all this mean? Listen to this, folks. We are forcing women and girls in pregnancies. They they are not ready for. And then turning our backs on their children as they suffer and die from hunger and preventable disease. And it doesn't stop there.
▶ 0:25:37A funding meant to protect vulnerable people fleeing conflict is being used to advance cruel and twisted immigration agenda. After ice rips people away from the communities, they are being sent to places where they do not speak the language or know the culture. This is not policy. It is cruelty added together. And this pulls back american leadership at exactly the wrong moment. Moment with another 2.7 billion cut this year.
▶ 0:26:03And we are investing $14 billion less than just four years ago. And these reductions will weaken our diplomats, dismantle development programs, slash humanitarian aid, the lifeline that keeps millions alive and undermine global security efforts that stop threats before they reach our shores. And at the same time, the president is requesting hundreds of billions for more for more war.
▶ 0:26:29But let me be clear I support a strong military. But as the mother of a marine who served in two wars, I know what's at stake. And like most americans, we rather prevent war than have our loved ones fighting one. And that's why soft power is so essential. Diplomacy stops costly wars before they start. Global health programs stop outbreaks before they spread. Development reduces the desperation that fuels extremism.
▶ 0:26:57Alliances ensure that we do not face threats alone. That's how you keep america safe. But this bill abandons that strategy, eliminating funding for the united nations and U.S. peacekeeping.
▶ 0:27:10Uh, as you know, we could go on $1 billion cut for humanitarian aid, a cutting family planning, eliminating funding for unfpa, uh, zeroing out critical institutions like the us institute of peace and the international american foundation and the un, uh, african foundation. That's not strength, it's retreat. And when we retreat, china and other, uh, rivals step in and we should not walk away from our leadership.
▶ 0:27:38This bill fails the test. Uh, security at home depends on leadership abroad. Uh, I hope that we will do better as this bill moves along. >> thank you, gentlelady, for her remarks. I now recognize myself for remarks on the bill. Thank you, chairman diaz-balart, and thank you. Ranking member frankel and ranking member delauro and all the members of this subcommittee and full committee.
▶ 0:28:05We continue full committee markups today with fiscal year 2027, national security department of state and related programs bill. This legislation makes a clear statement about american leadership. We will engage where it matters. We will invest where it counts, and we will demand accountability for every dollar spent on a world stage where challenges are growing and competitors are threatening the global order. This bill ensures the united states is not passive.
▶ 0:28:32It is prepared, it is focused, and it is leading. We are aligning our resources with our interests and delivering outcomes with a disciplined, strategic approach that reflects U.S. national priorities, upholds freedom, and promotes economic opportunity. This is an important shift. No longer will optics drive policy results.
▶ 0:28:54Uh, results will, uh, that set the standards for american first agenda. Uh, and it's also the standard chairman mario diaz-balart has applied across this bill. The measure stands firmly with our friends while drawing a clear line against our adversaries.
▶ 0:29:14It reinforces support for key allies like israel and taiwan, and directly counters threats from communist china, iran, and other regimes that challenge our interests and principles. At the same time, it raises expectations for global partners to deliver measurable outcomes and demonstrate real performance. America will always lead, but strength always multiplies when others choose to match it.
▶ 0:29:39The values we hold as a nation are put into action in this legislation. We defend human rights. We protect religious liberty. We uphold long standing pro-life safeguards, and we align funding away from low impact efforts, directing it toward missions that strengthen america's position at home and abroad. There is a difference between stating our values and standing behind them.
▶ 0:30:05Chairman diaz-balart has closed that gap, replacing unfocused spending with a strategy that delivers strength, clarity and results. I thank him and ranking member frankel and the staff on both sides for their work. I look forward to advancing this bill and completing today's work, and with that, I yield back. I now recognize my very good friend, the ranking member of the full committee, Mr. laura, for her opening remarks on the bill. >> thank you, Mr. chairman.
▶ 0:30:34And Mr. diaz-balart, uh, stole some thunder here. I was prepared to, uh, really have the, uh, the assembled group sing for your birthday. So. And to say today is the day that the lord has made. Mr. Mr. chairman, and happy birthday to you. Um, so I want to say a thank you to chairman diaz-balart and ranking member frankel, uh, for their good work and for their friendship.
▶ 0:31:01Um, I also want to say a thank you to subcommittee staff, aaron and headstone, uh, lori mcmahon on the minority side and the counterparts on the majority, susan adams, craig higgins, jamie mccormick, trey hicks, john mussolini, gabriela zach, erin mcmenamin and clelia alvarado as well for their work. Um, I am opposed to the bill under consideration today. It cuts humanitarian assistance.
▶ 0:31:29It slashes global health programs and threatens women's health. It reneges on our commitments to our partners and surrenders influence to our adversaries. President trump has stumbled from one foreign policy crisis to another. He dismantled much of our foreign policy and development infrastructure, leaving partners scrambling, and our diplomats already stretched too thin, struggling to explain why the united states would abandon its commitments, he began.
▶ 0:32:00Costly, pointless and ultimately illegal trade wars with some of our closest allies, which increased prices for american families by $1,700 and isolated us on the international stage. He dismantled usaid, severing, severing lifelines of food and medical aid around the world.
▶ 0:32:19A recent study published in the lancet medical journal predicted that if the current trend continues, the death toll from these cuts will exceed 9 million by 2030, including 2.5 million deaths of children younger than five years old.
▶ 0:32:41The president repeatedly threatened to invade greenland, which our closest nato allies believe was serious enough to make physical preparations to defend against a U.S. military operation. He has made a policy of extrajudicial killings in the caribbean and pacific, blowing up fishing boats and then accusing the people he killed of smuggling drugs while preventing no evidence. Experts in the law of war believe these strikes are likely to constitute war crimes.
▶ 0:33:11And he started a war with iran, a war of choice that has sent gas prices skyrocketing by 40% and has no discernible objective, no strategic vision and no end in sight. The trump doctrine is a failure, followed by failure, alienating our allies while aiding our adversaries. This bill continues that pattern.
▶ 0:33:36This bill does not provide any funding for the un regular budget, abandoning one of the longest standing institution devoted to global peace. Undermining the un only erodes our global influence. It also shortchanges american businesses, who receive upwards of $2.1 billion in u.n. Contracts, which is more than our dues.
▶ 0:33:56This bill cuts funding for global health programs, particularly in the areas of reproductive health and global health security, making us more vulnerable to infectious disease outbreaks that originate abroad. Pandemics do not respect international borders. It is in our best interest to prevent and contain them before they reach our shores. But these cuts impede our ability to do that.
▶ 0:34:23The bill threatens women's health around the globe, blocking any funds from going to the un population fund. Unfpa is dedicated to reducing maternal mortality, violence against women and extending family planning to women and girls everywhere.
▶ 0:34:37This includes work to include, uh include working to eliminate obstetric fistula, an issue I care deeply about by failing to provide any funding for unfpa, the conditions under which millions of women around the world live will only become worse. Eliminating this funding is a moral failure. This bill also eliminates all funding for the U.S. institute of peace, the inter-american foundation, and the U.S.
▶ 0:35:06African development foundation. Each of these programs strengthen our influence abroad, enabling us to prevent crises before they arise, and build relationships with the next generation of global leaders. This bill surrenders american global influence to our adversaries. For every step backwards we take, they take a step forward, continually defunding the institutions that support america's international presence will have serious, long lasting consequences.
▶ 0:35:31In little more than a year, the trump administration has squandered decades of american soft power. Our ability to influence other countries without resorting to the use of force and risking military conflict. This bill hinders our ability to reclaim any of it for years to come, and we cannot forget that these deep cuts to american diplomatic efforts are being proposed before an increase of hundreds of billions of dollars, at least in defense spending.
▶ 0:36:01It is remarkable the distance between how much we are willing to devote to war, and how little we can spare for peace. I encourage my colleagues to oppose this bill and work with the democrats to craft a funding bill that strengthens american international leadership, not weakens it. Thank you, and I yield back. >> I thank the gentlelady for her remarks. The gentleman from michigan, Mr. mulliner.
▶ 0:36:29Oh, excuse me, uh, the distinguished chairman emeritus of the full committee is recognized for his remarks. You're going to have to wait, john, on the bill. >> thank you, sir. Mr. chairman, I want to thank chairman diaz-balart for including strong funding in this bill and resources to combat the flow of fentanyl and other illicit
▶ 0:37:00Drugs into the U.S. we must wield every tool that we have to curb this influx of deadly substances into the country that that harm innocent americans every day. Killing our young people, especially. So I hope we utilize these funds, Mr. chairman, uh, in the most effective way that we can.
▶ 0:37:32Uh, the bill also continues strong support for israel. Uh, and we adequately counter chinese aggression, including 500 million foreign military financing for taiwan to strengthen deterrence across the taiwan strait and fully funding the countering prc influence fund.
▶ 0:37:57So I thank the chairman for including the language on fidel. That's the deadliest scourge that this nation has ever seen. And you and I are in a place to make improvements, save lives, especially young people. It's up to you and me. So I thank you, Mr. chairman, for doing the right thing. Yield back.
▶ 0:38:30>> thank gentleman for his remarks. The distinguished gentleman from maryland, Mr. hoyer, is recognized for remarks on the bill. >> thank you very much, Mr. chairman. I want to thank both the chairman of the committee, who I know is very sincere in his objective to strengthen america. I want to thank. Thank you, Mr. alfred.
▶ 0:38:52I want to thank the chairman, as I said, and I certainly want to thank the ranking member, miss frankel, for her leadership in bringing forward a bill that achieves, for the most part, a bipartisan consensus on some of our issues. But clearly, as has been indicated by our ranking member and our ranking member, the subcommittee, I'm disappointed, as I know they are in the reductions. The majority, including this bill, chiefly with regard to our support for ukraine.
▶ 0:39:21I've introduced an amendment to address that, and I'll speak about that at that time. At present, however, let me just say that the people of ukraine and their leaders are not the only ones looking carefully at the level of support we include in this bill. The kremlin is watching. The chinese government is scrutinizing it as well.
▶ 0:39:44Let us be mindful of the signals we are sending to our adversaries, and not just our friends, not only with respect to the military side, but also with respect as to this, to the area of where we need to give aid and help to people who are struggling in the world. The soft, uh, weapons that we talk about, we can do better.
▶ 0:40:09We should do better to ensure that ukraine has all the resources needed to complete the liberation of its sovereign territory, and to strike a blow against the forces of autocracy and hollywood. Who would say, I just take what I want. The era of that history should be over.
▶ 0:40:30The rules based international order led by america since the end of the second world war, delivered the greatest period of peace and prosperity ever experienced. We must not retreat in our role of leadership in this area. If we want to keep that going. It's up to us to lead in preserving that order. Ukraine is fighting to do just that. If they lose, we lose.
▶ 0:40:56If they win, so do we, as does the free world. I'm glad that this bill continues. The robust bipartisan support for israel's security and the close U.S. israel security cooperation that delivers so many benefits to both our nations, no matter what one's views are on the current politics in both the united states and israel.
▶ 0:41:19Ultimately, our nation shares a bond that goes beyond politics or personalities. It's about shared values and democratic ideals, and our commitment to us-israel relationship is one that is rooted in a respect for history, justice, and the fight against global anti-semitism.
▶ 0:41:40With regard to how this bill was brought forward, I'm disappointed not only in the bill that I am the ranking member, but this bill is well, and as I understand it, almost every other bill we consider where we have not had the hearings appropriate to give us the information that we need. That lapse, in my opinion, weakens this bill and the other bills that we're considering.
▶ 0:42:03But I want to thank both chairman and ranking member and the staff who've worked hard on both sides for writing a bill that reflects what we've called an attempt at the psychology of consensus. We haven't reached it in this bill, as the ranking member indicated, and the ranking member of the full committee. That is, it's aimed towards reaching bipartisan agreement instead of toward furthering partizan conflict.
▶ 0:42:28I know that the chairman and ranking member will continue down the road with this bill, uh, as they complete this progress. This bill is close, and I hope we can prove and strengthen it. Thank you. I yield back. >> thank the gentleman for his remarks. Gentleman from michigan, Mr. mulliner's recognized for his remarks on the bill. >> thank you, Mr. chairman, and thanks for spending your birthday with us today.
▶ 0:42:54Um, I, I rise in support of the fiscal year 2027, national security and state department appropriations bill. This legislation makes long overdue cuts to wasteful foreign aid while strengthening american national security and safeguarding our interests. It will keep americans safe by countering our adversaries and supporting our allies.
▶ 0:43:21Specifically, it provides 500 million in military financing for taiwan, 400 million for the countering china's influence fund, and 35 million for the american institute of taiwan. At the same time, crucial organizations like the export-import bank and the development finance corporation are robustly funded to combat china's belt and road initiative.
▶ 0:43:47This sends a clear message to the world that we stand by our allies against chinese communist party's malign actions. I want to thank chairman diaz-balart for his leadership in crafting this legislation, and I urge all our colleagues to support this bill. With that, I yield back. >> thank the gentleman for his remarks. The gentlelady from ohio is recognized for her remarks on the bill. >> thank you, Mr. chairman, and happy birthday. From this end of the table.
▶ 0:44:14Um, chairman cole, ranking member delauro, chair diaz-balart and ranking member frankel, thank you for your hard work on this bill. Our focus today on our nation's role, uh, as liberty's north star in a complicated world is not only necessary, it is vital.
▶ 0:44:38Like many americans, let me express my deep concerns about the perception by our nation of our nation's, um, overall retreat from our allies in freedom's cause, even alienating canada. Really? My district adjoins canada, our largest trading partner. What the united states does or does not do diplomatically sends clear messages.
▶ 0:45:05Meanwhile, america's adversaries are on the march, a prime example. Russia's invasion, brutal, brutal invasion of ukraine and its continuing brutality on ukraine's people reminds us of vladimir putin's obsession to restore the tyranny of the former soviet union to territories that formerly were held hostage to dictatorships all across europe.
▶ 0:45:33Our closest allies. Now is not the time to capitulate to repression, isolationism and indeed war as the ultimate abandonment of reason.
▶ 0:45:46The united states must not abandon its leadership and participation in international organizations and free world alliances and forums, and cede leadership to what I view as a complex, global forming spider web of tyranny that links russia, north korea, iranian and chinese interests.
▶ 0:46:10Imperfect though our nation can appear, our steady efforts to engage former adversaries was was must not be abandoned. Slow progress toward world peace and the institutions that shape that peace took major strides forward. Following world wars one and two. I would guess most of our families paid the heaviest price in those wars.
▶ 0:46:37Mine certainly did, but it ushered in a new era, and we must not cast off the relationships that have worked. Direct foreign assistance represents about under 2% of U.S. expenditures that create liberties alliance that has endured for half a century in achieving peace among great powers. That is an enormous testament to sacrifice and to our history.
▶ 0:47:07Tangentially, I took great offense globally when the administration found $20 billion to gift to argentina to send foreign beef up here as america's farmers, including some I represent, are suffering from tariffs and seeing costs rise for everything fuel, fertilizer and unaffordable health insurance for families that I represent.
▶ 0:47:36I think about what's happening globally in our position, the united states once created goodwill around the world, and soft power protects americans every day when they travel, like most of us do, helps american businesses find global customers. And yet this administration chose to start a trade war with our allies and cut aid to those most in need.
▶ 0:48:01A pew study last year found that america's global image among people in high income countries nosedived under this administration, to the point where only 1 in 3 have a favorable view of the united states. You know what? That's the same as china, I will say I'm glad to see continued support for funding the great lakes fisheries commission in all of this.
▶ 0:48:25Canada is ohio's largest trading partner, accounting for 100,000 jobs in the buckeye state alone and $21 billion worth of ohio goods sent annually to our neighbor to the north and our ally to the north.
▶ 0:48:41This critical partnership, and I say friendship has been built on trust and the harm done to our relationship with our canadian neighbors through reckless tariffs, threats of aggression and constant criticism will take time to repair. This is an important step through the fisheries commission toward healing, and I hope it sets the tone for broader reconciliation.
▶ 0:49:07This bill includes $15 million for locating and returning ukrainian children, over 20,000 abducted by russia and belarus, and with tens of thousands of stolen children from their homes in ukraine by russia and placed in camps where they are being reeducated and trained to fight against their own country, russia is committing a massive war crime against humanity. That reminds us of the darkest moments of the 20th century, turning history backwards.
▶ 0:49:36Returning thousands of these children must be an absolute priority of this country, and ensuring that those children have a safe home to return to. I regret that this bill does little to support our ukrainian allies. After ukrainians came to our aid in the middle east to help protect americans from iranian drones, which were aided by russia, we owe it to our partners to come to their defense. In closing, we prevent war by promoting diplomacy and international understanding.
▶ 0:50:04That is our job fulfilled by this patriotic, talented public servants that serve in foreign affairs agencies. The current administration is trying to defund diplomacy to pay for more wars, and a reckless pentagon budget of $1.5 trillion, not counting the hundreds of billions the president is is asking for more. This is not a recipe for american success at home or abroad. I do not support this bill as written. Thank you, and I yield back.
▶ 0:50:36>> thank. Gentlelady. Gentlelady from minnesota, miss collins, recognized for opening remarks on the bill. >> and in honor of your birthday, I did a little research. Everyone has his day and some days last longer than others. Winston churchill may this day last as long as you want it to. Um, on a, on a different note though, right now I cannot support this bill as, as it's presented in, in front of us.
▶ 0:51:05Um, so I rise in opposition, but I hope, I hope things change along the way. Mister chair, um, it is deeply unfortunate that this bill continues. President trump's retreat from strong american diplomacy in the world and supporting developmental assistance. We know what happens when america retreats from the developing world. Poverty, malnutrition, disease takes hold. And then along comes transnational terrorism.
▶ 0:51:33And our adversaries, china and russia, they move in to fill the void. This is a national security threat, clear and simple. When we're not engaged. This bill is a staggering $12 billion below where the bill was two years ago. That's a 20% cut. And I'm particularly heartbroken about the funding to global health initiatives, which is used to be a strong way in which we rally together for bipartisan support.
▶ 0:52:00And it created a lot of pride in this institution. Democrats and republicans, we stood together to save lives, america, save lives. And we did that because it reflected our values. We did that because we knew it made the world a safer place. The funding last year, we invested in global health security preparedness, outbreak, epidemic response. That's not charity.
▶ 0:52:27That's an early warning system for each one of us. It's an insurance. Well, this bill chips away at that insurance, that early warning system simply rejecting this administration's proposed cuts would not be enough. Though american diplomats used to walk in to negotiations with credibility because the united states had a track record of showing up and keeping its word.
▶ 0:52:56But sadly, that's changed with many of the things that have been cut and underfunded in this bill. The baseline has shifted so dramatically that we've lost sight of what this bill supported. It supported a child in mozambique who won't get any malaria net or treatment because, well, we're not doing that program anymore.
▶ 0:53:17Or a woman in honduras who can farm for her community, because our government invested in a global agricultural development, which was also heavily invested in by our private sector. These are just a couple of programs that save lives. And at the same time, they improved our national security. We can and must do better. And for that, I yield my colleagues to keep working on this bill to improve it. So when it comes back, whether to the floor or from conference, it is something I can proudly support.
▶ 0:53:45With that, I yield back. >> thank the gentlelady for remarks. Gentlelady from florida, miss wasserman schultz is recognized for remarks on the bill. >> thank you. >> I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. chairman, wishing you the happiest birthdays. As someone who very much loves my birthday, I, uh, I cheer you on your day. Yes.
▶ 0:54:12I think we can all agree. We want to put a bow on that for you, Mr. chairman. Um, I want to especially single out the chairman of the subcommittee, uh, Mr. diaz-balart, who is my compatriot and someone who I have fought in the trenches with on so many of the issues that are embedded in this bill. I particularly want to thank him for.
▶ 0:54:37And this will shorten it, shorten my need to so I can avoid speaking on the manager's amendment and thank him upfront for, uh, and and the ranking member for including the very important language with specificity in the manager's amendment to ensure that the oil revenue that is spent in venezuela, uh, related to president trump's executive order, that we are able to hold the administration accountable on how that is spent and that those revenues are used to benefit the venezuelan people
▶ 0:55:08And not line the pockets of extremely wealthy people. So thank you very much for that. Um, I, uh, do have elements of this bill that I support, but unfortunately, I must stand in opposition to the overall bill. Our nation is really at a dangerous juncture. We're embroiled in a war that congress never voted to authorize. We're increasingly seen by our allies as a threat rather than a reliable partner.
▶ 0:55:37We've abandoned efforts to remediate unnecessary suffering and make the world a healthier place, and it's caused hundreds of thousands of needless deaths along the way. Even the bedrock investments we made over generations to strengthen democracy, human rights, and the rule of law have fallen by the wayside. President trump has given up our seat at the table. He put down the torch of liberty. Past presidents carried proudly all so he can gladhand dictators and stuff his family pockets, family's pockets with corrupt profits.
▶ 0:56:07All the while, working americans get poorer. And unfortunately, americans feel the direct result of this. His chaotic decisions on tariffs, immigration and military action. It pinches their pocketbook every time they fill up their gas tank or check out at a grocery store. And this bill, unfortunately, does nothing to reverse the trump administration's policy of self-sabotage. It does nothing to repair the damage done, the lives lost from dismantling usaid and replacing experts at the state department with partizan cronies.
▶ 0:56:35It does nothing to curtail the trump administration's separating cuban and haitian people from their U.S. citizen kids, then paying for them to be jailed without trials in sub-saharan africa before ripping our international program to programs to shreds, secretary rubio said he'd assessed foreign assistance based on if it's made us stronger, safer or more prosperous. So allow me to grade this administration. By their own standards, our nation is not stronger. Our diplomatic corps has been hollowed out in.
▶ 0:57:05Our moral authority has been sapped. Our allies look elsewhere for support because they cannot count on us. Trump's unilateral concessions to the same venezuelan regime he once called a terrorist organization have shown his contempt for democracy and given every dictator a playbook to exploit his weaknesses. So no, we are not stronger. Is our nation safer? Well, trump's war in iran has left our troops and our allies more vulnerable.
▶ 0:57:29Instead of resolving chaos in haiti or uplifting democracy in venezuela, he's focusing on deporting good, law abiding people back to further destabilized countries in crisis. His attacks on democracy have blurred the line that sets us apart from our adversaries, and that has a cost. Do we really want to present the world a choice between a cruel, transactional, predictable china and a cruel, transactional, volatile america? So no, clearly we are not all safer. Finally, we are clear, not clearly, not more prosperous.
▶ 0:57:59The state department was the epicenter of the doj's assault on our government, and it didn't even make a tiny dent in the deficit. However, trump's backwards trade and economic policies, putting billionaires and corrupt deals over working americans have left us all paying more for less. And so far, the only nations getting richer off of trump's misguided war are iran, russia and venezuela, all of whom were rewarded for their brutal despotism with draw dropping, jaw dropping sanctions relief.
▶ 0:58:28So no, we are not safer, stronger or more prosperous. And this bill not only fails to put us on the right track, it guarantees our security will go off the rails. This bill is not a course correction. It is an accelerant. Congress passed a bipartisan foreign ops bill just three months ago. That was a step in the right direction. But this administration refuses to faithfully implement the funds congress appropriated. Just last week, we learned they're withholding $18 billion in foreign assistance that this committee enacted and trump signed.
▶ 0:58:55Look, we're already trillions in the hole from the big, ugly bill, and I can't imagine a worse prescription than a blank check for an unchecked executive. It's even more galling when you consider that money comes out of the mouths of desperate, starving children. A safer america requires diplomacy and investments. A strong america requires faithful alliances, strong principles, and fierce resistance to our adversaries. A more prosperous america requires stable markets, open trade and healthy communities, and all these things rely on the bedrock of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.
▶ 0:59:25If we forget these basic truths that underlie our underlie our nation's rise to greatness, we will surely fall from grace. And this bill, unfortunately, does not pass that test. Despite my affection for the chairman. And, uh, and also I commend to you the sourdough bread home baked by my youngest daughter and wish you a wonderful markup. I thank you, Mr. chairman. I yield back. >> thank the gentlelady gentleman from texas, Mr.
▶ 0:59:54Cuellar, is recognized for opening remarks on the bill. >> thank you, Mr. chairman. A happy birthday again. Uh, I want to thank the chairman. Uh, Mr. mario diaz-balart, the ranking member, also miss frankel and, of course, miss delauro also. And you, Mr. chairman, also, I, um, want to highlight four areas in this bill that I think are important, uh, for our country to move forward.
▶ 1:00:19Uh, the first one that I want to talk about is the, uh, the outcome based reviews performance management language, which for the first time on any of the appropriations bills, I want to say, and I think it should be added to every appropriation bills. But, uh, the chairman, I have talked about it because we both serve in the state legislature, and I think the states are ahead on performance reviews, on looking at regulations that are outdated, looking at ways that we can stream government.
▶ 1:00:48Uh, how do we find savings without hurting services? So I want to thank the chairman for adding this language. And I hope this becomes a model language that we can use for other bills that are coming on that. So I want to thank the chairman, uh, on the performance language.
▶ 1:01:05Uh, the second, uh, has to do with water and the international boundary water commission, as you know, this commission is very, very important for us that depend on water, uh, the ag use, uh, the municipal use.
▶ 1:01:21And I want to thank the chairman for a very robust, uh, funding increase for the international bottled water commission for construction funding and of course, making sure that we get mexico to provide that water that they owe the united states. There is strong language, and I want to thank the chairman for putting that strong language, but also for the first time that we add language, uh, where we are saying we cannot depend on the rio grande anymore, uh, both in the us and the mexican side.
▶ 1:01:51And sometime in the future, we got to look at what do we do, uh, for the communities that depend on the rio grande. Uh, and for the first time, it calls on the international whaling commission to say, hey, let's start looking at secondary water sources and long term conservation strategies that include, uh, water, uh, reuse, recycling, desalination, groundwater management, and other tools to
▶ 1:02:22Make sure that our communities become more resilient. Uh, so thank you for that. Also tied into that, I want to thank, um, the chairman also and the ranking member for the support for the north american development bank.
▶ 1:02:35Um, and the work that they do along the border, I think, uh, uh, ranking my other member from the border also, uh, I want to say thank you for that because the nat'l bank and folks like jesse hefford, uh, that have been working with the bank have been doing a good job. Make sure that we look at domestic storage programs along the border and other programs. So thank you so much. Third part, counternarcotics and fentanyl.
▶ 1:03:04And I want to take the lead from chairman rogers, uh, on it because he's been our leader on this. But I also want to say also some of the language that supplements what the chairman rogers, has been pushing language, language that calls for stronger action to disrupt transnational criminal organization, strengthen coordination with mexico. Mexico plays a very important role.
▶ 1:03:28Uh, improved precursor chemical controls and go after the networks that manufacture that move and finance this deadly drugs. And again, chairman rogers, I want to thank you because for many years you've been talking about this, and we certainly want to follow your lead when it comes in fighting fentanyl. It has killed so many people, uh, so many people in the united states and other places. So thank you.
▶ 1:03:52Uh, chairman, thank you for adding some of that language and funding there also, uh, finally, the last point I want to talk about is making sure that we counter china in latin america. If you look at some of the work, uh, that china has been doing, they have been very strategic and looking at ports and trying to work with south america. They cannot get a hold of our own backyard. So, Mr.
▶ 1:04:20Chairman, I want to thank you for the language on strategic ports, uh, resilient supply chains, nearshoring on the americans and making sure that we get mexico, uh, latin america, central america and south america to stop depending on china and in so many ways and make sure that they improve our relationship. So those four points are very important. Mr. chairman, thank you so much, ranking member. Thank you so much. And both, uh, to miss delora and Mr. cole.
▶ 1:04:50Thank you so much. Thank you. And with that, I yield back. >> thank. Gentleman, the gentleman from illinois, Mr. quigley, is recognized for remarks on the bill. >> thank you, Mr. chairman. Mr. chairman, on your birthday, I'm reminded of the philosopher, the great american philosopher jack benny, who said 39 again. Last week when we did the subcommittee markup, I was reminded that I have known many of you for such a long time. I've traveled with many of you for such a long time.
▶ 1:05:19Memorable trips with Mr. edwards to ukraine, uh, with the subcommittee ranking member to poland, with our friend, his late brother. An extraordinary trip that mattered a lot. But I'm starting to think, despite all that, that we see the same things, but we react so differently. It's it's a little frightening. We grew up with the notion of, I'll believe it when I see it. I'm starting to think we've come to the point where we.
▶ 1:05:48I'll see it when I believe it. Uh, the actions toward greenland, the withdrawal from nato, the gutting of usaid programs, placing tariffs on our friends. This actually threatens our national security. By abdicating our place in the world. We need to remember the basics. We really need each other. And the arrogance of thinking that it that they're going to stop.
▶ 1:06:13I mean, the world will spin without us from stopping life threatening diseases to fighting climate change. These funds have can save the lives of millions of people around the world. Just yesterday, the new york times reported that there was a resurgence of aids in zambia after the pepfar program, which had saved hundreds of thousands of lives, was cut off. Now that virus is advancing. And our response, uh, is to threaten to end the remaining funding we are providing.
▶ 1:06:43Unless you zambia gives us unchecked access to their rare minerals. This is the fundamental transactional relationship. This isn't just a decision that's costing lives. It's letting a dangerous virus spread. And it's not enough. It's devastating loss of soft power for the U.S. we must be reminded that epidemic epidemics don't start here, typically in the united states, but they don't stop at our borders.
▶ 1:07:11What we do there saves lives here as well. And canada was referenced. And I said last week, if we can't get along with canada, what's wrong with us? I'm starting to think there are members of the administration that when they were in kindergarten, they got notes home that said that they don't work and play well with others. Here. It gets really serious when you don't work and play well with others.
▶ 1:07:35It's also time, as I said, to look at the words of someone who had a great understanding of our place in the world and a historical time. In fdr's last inaugural, which he gave at the white house, he captured the essence of the moment that we are currently in. Before the second world war, he had to contend with the americans who wanted the country to remain isolationist. And after the war, he said, we have learned that we can't live alone at peace.
▶ 1:08:07Our own well-being is independent, is our own well-being is dependent on the well-being of other nations far away, and that we have learned to the citizens of the. To be citizens of the world, members of the human community. And finally he quoted emerson and saying, the only way to have a friend is to be one. I'm not sure we have many, if any, friends. Right now my friends are proposing a 5% cut to the 2026 funding.
▶ 1:08:36That's $12 billion lower than the 25 level. When my colleagues portray these investments as useless, some of them is useless. They miss our strategic investments in our current national security and our children's future. Without these funds, we lose relationships abroad. We abdicate our leadership to the world, to china and russia. And finally, I want to highlight what secretary mattis reminded of as president trump's first defense secretary.
▶ 1:09:05If you cut the state department, you better you better buy me more bullets. If we continue this trend, I don't think we can buy enough bullets to keep ourselves and our allies safe. Thank you. And I yield back. >> thank the gentleman for his remarks. Gentleman from new jersey, Mr. watson coleman is recognized for her remarks on the bill.
▶ 1:09:34>> first of all, let me congratulate. >> you on your birthday. Happy birthday. Blessings to you. Let me also say to all of my colleagues, thank you for the goodies, the diversity of goodies at the table to keep us going. Um, I rise to speak in opposition of the bill that is before us today. At every opportunity, it seems my republican colleagues have sought to undermine the efforts to protect women. So how do these cuts make life safer, safer for people?
▶ 1:10:04This bill cuts over $180 million of crucial funding dollars for family planning and programs meant to improve mental health, child health and fight infectious diseases globally. If enacted, mothers will suffer from these cut these drawbacks. Children will suffer from them, and many will likely die because of these unnecessary and unethical cuts. America is supposed to be the beacon of hope to the world.
▶ 1:10:33What this nation chooses to fund. It reflects what we view as our priorities. The bill tells our allies that we are no longer willing to lead by example, making us look like an unreliable global partner. The bill tells our adversaries that there is an opening for them to exert their influence. This bill tells the world that the united states does not prioritize protecting the very vulnerable.
▶ 1:11:02I don't want to hear arguments about america first. Between the gutting of domestic public health agencies and programs to the president's trump, to president trump's war of choice with iran that americans did not ask for, do not understand and do not support the actions by the president and his allies are the opposite of america first, and that makes it impossible for me to support this as we go
▶ 1:11:32Forward. Thank you, Mr. chairman. I yield back. >> thank the gentlelady for her remarks. Gentlelady from california, miss torres is recognized for her remarks on the bill. >> thank you. Chairman. I rise in opposition of the bill before us and also to wish the highest ranking taurus a very happy birthday.
▶ 1:11:55Um, today us, uh, global assistance is a promise to the american people that when their hard earned tax dollars are sent into the world, their money returns to our shores in the form of safety, stability, and american influence. This bill breaks that trust.
▶ 1:12:18We have not held a single public hearing on the president's budget for this bill. Americans deserve to know what is being done in their name and with their money. When we operate in the dark, americans pay the price. Just look at the illegal war in iran. American lives lost and injured, and more than $1 billion per day wasted.
▶ 1:12:45This bill fails in every way. 23 million children denied an education. 95 million people stripped of basic health care. These aren't just line items on a spreadsheet. They are our first lines of defense. These decisions are making our communities here at home less safe now, and for a generation to come.
▶ 1:13:13Ending programs that stop violence, drugs, trafficking, reduce terrorism and maintain american leadership in the face of russian and chinese aggression. A few years ago, I traveled to sierra leone with care. In one small village, I met women caring for nearly a hundred orphans of war and aids.
▶ 1:13:40These women had almost nothing and they kept a school running. They kept children fed and hidden in the bush at night. By doing so, they were doing the hardest, most effective counterterrorism work in the planet. They were ensuring that those boys didn't become recruits of extremists who prey on exactly that kind of desperation and grief.
▶ 1:14:09Again, the most obvious example of these problems is the current fiasco in iran. Trump pulled out of the iran nuclear deal in 2018, calling it the worst deal ever. Eight years later, we launched strikes on iran without a vote from this congress, without a declaration of war, without a shred of constitutional authorization and no exit plan.
▶ 1:14:38We are now in a conflict that has closed the strait of hormuz, and american consumers and small businesses are paying the price at the gas pump. And the pain is just beginning. This isn't toughness. It's chaos masquerading as a doctrine without a care of how we are hurting hard working americans.
▶ 1:15:05This president has also turned american military firepower on our hemisphere, with the first overt use of U.S. force in latin america since panama in 1989. Globally, we have abandoned the hard work of diplomacy and regional partnership for the blunt, bloody instrument of b-2 bombers. We have a war spiraling out of control, and this committee has a chance to fund peace.
▶ 1:15:35Instead, a chance to fund partnerships, a chance to fund economic growth and safety that will serve america for generations. Meanwhile, our adversaries are filling the vacuum that we are leaving behind. Make no mistake. Beijing and moscow are celebrating this bill. This administration has handed our adversaries a gift that they could never have bought.
▶ 1:16:07American retreats. U.n. Peacekeeping has been cut by a quarter. More than 100 U.S. embassies are now without confirmed senior leadership, leaving key partners without an american voice at the table. Because of this administration, china is now able to make a case that a chinese offer, no matter how predatory, is more reliable than an american promise. That is not america first, my friends.
▶ 1:16:37That is america gone. We have a choice before us, and I urge my colleagues to vote no and yield back. >> thank the gentlelady for her remarks. The gentleman from new york, Mr. spratt, is recognized for remarks on the bill. >> thank you. Thank you, Mr. chairman. Um. Feliz cumpleanos.
▶ 1:17:07I appreciate the bipartisan efforts by all of you. The chairman, the ranking member, uh, the gentleman from florida and the gentlewoman from florida as well. Uh, thank you for working together to move this agenda forward.
▶ 1:17:24Still, I rise in opposition to the bill because I think it fails to meet the moment, the moment that we find ourselves in, in an unauthorized war in iran today, we saw how still there is no agreement, no consensus, uh, for peace in the region.
▶ 1:17:52And that's hurting us tremendously in our economy as gas prices are clearly over $4 a gallon, uh, still a runaway inflation. Supermarkets, uh, folks go to the supermarket and come back home with a small bag and several small items.
▶ 1:18:09And so this is hurting us, hurting us in profound economic ways, which, uh, also the crisis, uh, creates greater tension across the middle east and the global economy, hunger, health and affordability related crisis popping up everywhere here at home and abroad.
▶ 1:18:34Uh, ruth, routine threats to our european allies that have been there for us for decades, as we will hear from the king of england today, our allies are being threatened. And these are the folks that have stood by us for decades upon decades.
▶ 1:18:57And, and yet, uh, growing hunger and health crisis across the world, this bill, like the administration's foreign policy, in no way represents the america we love. We were the envy of the world.
▶ 1:19:18There are cracks in the wall now, and we can no longer say that with with assurance that, in fact, that's who we are. And so we must turn this around. And this bill, unfortunately, doesn't do that. Instead of upholding the core american principles we all know and love, the bill fails to deliver critical health care and resources to women.
▶ 1:19:44For example, refugees and countless numbers of vulnerable communities across the world. We were known to be the sentinel, the the guardian of those communities that were vulnerable across the world. They came to us, the united states of america, for help, understanding, for collaboration. That is no longer the case.
▶ 1:20:10It abandons efforts to lead the growth of democracy. We saw what happened in venezuela. Maduro is gone. Instead of free and fair elections, the same people are in power. No change. And so this this, of course, is known throughout the world.
▶ 1:20:34It does nothing to cultivate peace, economic equality, and private market growth. For those reasons, Mr. chairman, I will be unable to support this legislation. I must, though, uh, highlight the fact that the both the gentleman from florida and the gentlewoman from florida have worked together. And I think that's, uh that's good. That's bueno.
▶ 1:21:00I think they communicate in english and in spanish. Thank you, I yield back. >> I thank the gentleman. I just want to point out for the record that, uh, our distinguished secretary of state is from florida. The chairman of the foreign relations committee is from florida. Both of you are from florida. Would you let some of the rest of us participate in directing the foreign policy of the united states?
▶ 1:21:29But, uh, you've all done a great job. I thank my friend for his remarks. Uh, I now recognize the gentleman from california for his remarks on the bill. >> thank you, Mr. chairman. >> and happy birthday. >> in the spirit of your birthday, I will be as brief as I can be. Uh, I appreciate all the hard work that went into this bill, and, uh, there are a lot of good things that I want to highlight.
▶ 1:21:53First, the bill includes critical funding that I, along with the san diego congressional delegation, requested to address the ongoing crisis with sewage at the border, uh, tijuana river. For decades, billions of gallons of raw sewage and trash have flowed from mexico into san diego and the pacific ocean. This cross-border pollution has had devastating impacts on public health, local businesses, and the environment in our region. The pollution also threatens the well-being of the navy seals, who train in contaminated water.
▶ 1:22:23The status quo really is unacceptable and I fought to change it. The funding in this bill will take us one step closer to achieving that goal. It builds on the more than $500 million that the san diego delegation has secured over the years to fix this pressing issue. Specifically, the bill includes more than $300 million in new funding for the ibwc and their construction needs, including at the south bay wastewater treatment plant in san diego.
▶ 1:22:50The bill also explicitly directs the ibwc to expedite the rehabilitation and expansion of the south bay plant. These provisions will help sustain the important progress made last fall, when the south bay plant expansion project was completed. The expansion now means that the south bay plant can process an additional 10 million gallons of wastewater per day.
▶ 1:23:10I've called on the administration to take swift action to rehabilitate the south bay plant, and I'm really pleased this committee has made this a priority, and I'm going to continue to work on this until our san diego residents are safe and healthy, and our navy seals can train safely and our beaches remain open. Now on to the not as great stuff. Uh, I'm very dismayed. The bill doesn't make the same kind of strategic investment in the rest of our foreign aid budget.
▶ 1:23:37I said a year ago at this, uh, committee, that slashing funding for the very tools to bolster american leadership doesn't make us stronger, makes us more vulnerable. This this year's bill doubles down on that same approach. And over that time, we've seen the president start new wars. After campaigning on ending them, we've seen the president threaten to invade our democratic allies while giving concessions to authoritarian authoritarians like putin.
▶ 1:24:03And we've seen the president's family treat american foreign policy as a self enrichment exercise, profiting to the tune by some reports of $1.5 billion. This bill should be doing everything possible to steer us back towards smart and strategic foreign policy. Instead, it lets the president continue with policies that put american families, businesses and service members unnecessarily in harm's way.
▶ 1:24:29I'm incredibly proud to represent our marines and sailors on camp pendleton, and I'm always going to do all I can for them. One of the best things that I can do is keep them out of harm's way and ensure that war is a last resort, never a first impulse. That means funding diplomacy in countries where democracy is under threat.
▶ 1:24:49Investing in global health leadership before diseases destabilize regions, and treating the climate crisis with urgency to prevent mass migration. For decades, bipartisan leaders have made these investments because they generate real returns in the form of fewer wars, stronger alliances, more democracy, and a healthier world. And unfortunately, I don't think this bill lives up to that long bipartisan tradition.
▶ 1:25:17Unfortunately, I believe it lets this president continue to lead the country down a dark and uncertain path. And for those reasons, I cannot support the bill as written. Thank you, Mr. chairman. Happy birthday, and I yield back. >> I thank the gentleman for both. Uh, the gentleman from georgia, Mr. bishop, is recognized for remarks on the bill. >> thank you. >> Mr. chairman. And I want to add my voice to the chorus. Wishing you a very happy birthday.
▶ 1:25:46I want to thank the chairs and ranking members of the committee and the staffs of the subcommittee for your hard work on the bill. Uh, but, Mr. chairman, unfortunately, I must stand in opposition to this bill. Uh, the majority is trying to pull the wool over the eyes of the american public with empty rhetoric about america first.
▶ 1:26:14The bill will not make america first. It will make america last. Last in global influence, lasting international leadership lasting its capacity to respond to the most pressing challenges here at home and abroad.
▶ 1:26:30I'm concerned that the majority does not realize that the president's empty promises, his actions to stomp on the feet of our allies and his warmongering are harming our national interests.
▶ 1:26:47President trump has embarked on a unilateral trade wars with our allies and partners, which has created market instability, increased consumer costs, harmed american manufacturers and workers, and damaged our global economic competitiveness.
▶ 1:27:07How do we go back to our constituents and tell them that the president's action on the world stage are helping them to put food on their table when inflation is out of control? Do we think that our constituents don't notice that the price of gasoline jumped up one third in just a month after the president instituted his war with iran?
▶ 1:27:34And all of my years of public service, I never imagined the global standing of the united states of america could fall so quickly and so greatly due to the actions of one man. And today, the republican majority in congress lacks the fortitude to stand up to him.
▶ 1:27:58President trump, again with the help of this congress, has sadly weakened vital american institutions that make our country safer and ensure our security, prosperity, and well-being of billions of people around the world. For example, the president has shuttered the united states agency for international development and in so doing, has defunded over 80% of all global health and development programs.
▶ 1:28:27Usaid has played a vital role in combating food insecurity around the globe, which is an issue that is very important to me. As the ranking member on the house appropriations subcommittee on agriculture, particularly near and dear to me, the decision to shutter usaid is taking a devastating multibillion dollar toll on american farmers, as usaid has historically been one of the largest buyers of U.S.
▶ 1:29:00Grown crops. Usaid has sourced 41% of the food aid directly from american farmers, everything from wheat from kansas to soybean oil, from iowa to peanut products from georgia's second congressional district.
▶ 1:29:16As a result, the closure of usaid has hurt american farmers, too, not to mention the millions of lives that will be lost by steep cuts to its global health and conflict prevention initiatives. President trump has also effectively shut down the united states institute of peace, which promotes conflict resolution mechanisms and advances peace around the world.
▶ 1:29:44Uh, the us institute of peace is zeroed out in this bill. Mister chairman, if these cuts are what america first is about, then we should consider renaming it america alone. Or america concedes.
▶ 1:30:01If it isn't abundantly clear by now, I don't believe that there is any true representation of our values as americans, uh, who are among the most generous, kind, and charitable people anywhere. Our sense of charity and kindness to foreigners is often guided by our religious faith. Our patriotism is isn't always self-directed. It's directed outwards.
▶ 1:30:26But more than a century of american presidents working with the united states congress have recognized that global challenges require cooperation and institutions to resolve differences in ways that avoid costly wars and economic destructions. We have lived more prosperous, peaceful, and free lives as a result. This bill is a betrayal of the principles for which america stands, and I urge my colleagues to oppose it.
▶ 1:30:54And I hope that before this process is over, that we will be able to come to an agreement on a bill that more accurately and more prominently and fairly reflects the true values of the united states of america. I yield back. >> thank the gentleman. The gentlelady from pennsylvania is recognized for remarks on the bill.
▶ 1:31:26>> thank you, Mr. chairman, and I too, wish you a very happy and blessed, uh, birthday. Thanks for sharing so much of it with us. Uh, do you know whose birthday you share or who shares your birthday? >> saddam hussein? >> uh. >> I wasn't going to cite him. How about ann? Margaret? Ann margaret and jay leno, james monroe, but ann margaret and jay leno, uh, and you're nearly as funny. That's good.
▶ 1:31:55That's a good one. That's a good one. Thank you. Chairman cole. Chairman diaz-balart. Ranking member delauro. Ranking member. Frankel. I, too, rise in opposition to this bill, which, despite the name change implemented by my republican colleagues, actually weakens our national security. The cornerstone of U.S. foreign policy has always been a three d approach. Defense, diplomacy, development.
▶ 1:32:24While my colleagues across the aisle are taking a robust approach to funding that first d defense, I am deeply concerned about the continued de-prioritization defunding of diplomacy and development. Foreign aid is not charity.
▶ 1:32:40It is critical for our national security, our diplomats and development workers not only embody our values, working in crisis zones to promote peace, health and human rights, but promote stability and prosperity, reducing the risk of future conflicts, requiring military engagement. The provision of humanitarian assistance is not just our moral responsibility as the richest, most powerful nation in the world, but it is also in our best interest.
▶ 1:33:10This funding not only saved lives, but mitigates the destabilization effects of natural disasters, disease outbreaks, and conflicts. Why in god's name would we want to cut this funding even further than it has already been cut by this administration? As my colleagues propose in this bill?
▶ 1:33:31Further, this bill slashes funding for contributions to international organizations, including eliminating funding for the un regular budget and certain un organizations, including unicef, united nations population fund, the un office for coordination of humanitarian affairs and the world health organization.
▶ 1:33:53By withdrawing from these global forums, we not only lose a critical source of soft power, but we create a power vacuum that our adversaries are only happy to fill, reducing our international footprint, making us less safe. The bill, sadly, is shortsighted. Failing to invest in diplomacy at a time when we arguably need it more than ever.
▶ 1:34:17This administration has been reckless, led us into a war with iran with no clear objectives and no clear exit plan, and without the consent of congress. Meanwhile, president trump continues to burn bridges with longstanding allies at the time. We need them more than ever.
▶ 1:34:35If you can't be swayed by the impact of this administration's foreign policy on humanity, hundreds of thousands of people have already died due to the usaid dismantling, and this administration's cuts to foreign assistance. Perhaps you could be persuaded by the economic costs.
▶ 1:34:56From an article that is from last september, hundreds of thousands of people have died as a result of our withdrawal and shuttering of usaid. Public health initiatives like deworming, vitamin a distribution have collapsed, immunizations being missed contributions, contraception harder to get. Ordinary people are growing weaker, hungrier and more fragile.
▶ 1:35:22And because of all this, children are particularly vulnerable. They are often the first to starve and first to die. It is estimated that last year, as many as 500,000 children died as a result of our shrinking away from our human side. On cost.
▶ 1:35:41The war in iran is already dealing a dangerous blow to the global economy. Inflation is up. Fertilizer prices are surging. Gas prices in my area for 19, for 24 for 14. They're bouncing all over the place and my constituents are feeling it.
▶ 1:36:05We are poised to spend billions of additional taxpayer dollars on defense to offset the cost of the iran war, which has achieved no clear aim and, I would argue, has made us far less safe. So I urge my republican colleagues, think bigger, think better of our country and of ourselves.
▶ 1:36:24Stop surrendering to a president who is as unfit and unwell as he is uncaring of others, as he is uncaring for our standing in the world. Please join me in opposing this bill. We can do better and I yield back. >> thank you gentlelady. Seeing no other members wishing to make opening remarks, I'd like to recognize chairman diaz-balart to offer a manager's amendment. >> Mr.
▶ 1:36:54Chairman, I have an amendment on the desk, and I would ask unanimous consent that the clerk dispense with the reading of the amendment. >> without objection, the reading of the amendment is dispensed with and the gentleman's recognized to discuss the amendment. >> thank you, Mr. chairman. This amendment contains non-controversial bill and report language agreed to by both sides. I'm not going to go through all of them, but let me just have just throw out some highlights, including the use of certain libraries as passport acceptance facilities, clarifying language on limitations on assistance for nigeria and a reporting requirement on venezuela.
▶ 1:37:23I want to thank my colleagues for their contributions. With that, Mr. chairman, I yield back. >> thank gentleman. The gentlelady from florida, miss frankel, is recognized to respond to the amendment. >> I rise, I rise in support of the amendment and I yield back. >> I thank the gentlelady. Gentlelady from connecticut. Mr. law is recognized to address the amendment. >> Mr.
▶ 1:37:48Chairman, I support the manager's amendment, which includes a provision that I authored to withhold 25% of the secretary of state's representation expenses or party money until he testifies before the committee. We are today debating a bill that includes funding for the department of state.
▶ 1:38:05And yet the secretary of state has not come before the congress to testify, to justify to us the executive branch's budget proposal to answer our questions and to provide information that is highly relevant to our work on this committee. The secretary of state himself is a former U.S. senator. He, of all people, should understand the crucial role that congress plays in allocating resources throughout the federal government. The secretary cannot find time to come before our committee.
▶ 1:38:31We will not fund his entertainment expenses. I urge your support, and I yield back. >> thank the gentlelady. Any other members seek, recognize or speak on the amendment. Mr. chairman, the gentleman from maryland, Mr. hoyer, is recognized. >> Mr. chairman, I rise in support as well, but I lament the fact. That we are including properly a 25% cut to the secretary.
▶ 1:38:59If he does not appear before the committee, that is a responsibility and duty that the secretary has. I lament the fact that we included a 25% cut. If the secretary of veterans affairs did not appear before this committee. But I rise because I lament the fact. That we did not adopt an amendment to do the same thing to Mr. vote.
▶ 1:39:26We rejected that amendment. I'm not sure what the reason was. When we adopt this for the secretary of state and adopt it for the secretary of, uh, veterans administration, but I thank the chairman for including it in this bill. Uh, because if we're going to stand up for our committee, this is the kind of action we ought to take and are taking. And I congratulate the chair.
▶ 1:39:57>> thank you. Gentlemen. Any other members seek recognition to address the amendment? Uh, gentleman from maryland, the other gentleman or another of the many gentleman from maryland? >> uh, yeah. That's right. Uh, listen, thank you very much. I want to thank the chairman for including the language of nigeria, uh, the persecution of christians by the muslim tribes in nigeria. Uh, we will need the help of the government of nigeria to deal with that. And I think this language goes away.
▶ 1:40:27It goes a long way toward, uh, making sure the government of nigeria knows that we want them to respect the rights of every religion in nigeria and to defend those rights under this bill. Thank you very much. >> thank the gentleman. To any other members, seek recognition to speak on the amendment. If not, the gentleman is recognized for one minute to close. >> Mr. chairman, I have this great speech, but let me just say good amendment, I yield back.
▶ 1:40:57>> that rivals the gettysburg address in being brilliant, short and to the point. The question is now on the amendment. All those in favor say aye. All those opposed say no. The opinion of the chair. The ayes have it. The amendment's adopted the gentlelady from florida. Miss frankel is recognized for an amendment. >> uh, Mr. chair, I ask unanimous consent that the reading of the amendment be dispensed with. >> without objection, the reading of the amendment is dispensed with, and the gentlelady is recognized for remarks on her amendment.
▶ 1:41:29>> this amendment would withhold 54 million from the office of the secretary of state until the state department releases the funding for gavi vaccine alliance. And I want to be clear what gavi is and why this matters. Gavi is a public private partnership launched in 2000 that brings together governments, world health organization, unicef, the world bank, vaccine manufacturers and simple and civil society to do one simple but extraordinary thing ensure
▶ 1:42:01Access to life saving vaccines around the world. Gavi helps to deliver vaccines efficiently at scale and at a cost countries can afford. Gavi pools demand from lower income countries, negotiates lower prices, strengthens health systems and helps countries build the infrastructure they need to immunize their own people.
▶ 1:42:22It supports routine childhood vaccinations in response to outbreaks, whether it's measles, ebola or covid 19, and the results speak for themselves. Since its creation, gavi has helped vaccinate more than 1 billion children and prevent more than 20 million deaths, 20 million lives, mostly children, save because the world chooses to act together. This is not a moral, just a moral imperative.
▶ 1:42:53It's a strategic one. From a health perspective, vaccines are one of the most effective tools we can have to stop deadly diseases before they spread, and reduce strains on fragile health systems, and prevents outbreaks from becoming global crises that show up on our doorstep. From an economic perspective, immunization is one of the smartest investments we can make. Healthier children become healthier, more productive adults.
▶ 1:43:20Countries with stronger health systems are more stable, more resilient, and better trading partners. Every dollar invested in vaccines yields many times that an economic return. And from a national security perspective, this protects americans because in today's interconnected world, a disease outbreak anywhere can become a threat everywhere.
▶ 1:43:42And we learned that the hard way with covid 19, gavi helped stop outbreaks at the source before they reach our borders, disrupt our economy, and cost american lives. It strengthens global stability.
▶ 1:43:57And let me let me just, uh, say that this is why, this is why congress has repeatedly supported gavi on a bipartisan basis in fiscal years 2025 and 2026, congress appropriated $300 million each for gavi. That's $600 million total. And yet, despite those clear directive, those funds have not been released.
▶ 1:44:21Instead, the state department is now pointing to the department of health and human services for directions that where those decisions are being influenced by secretary kennedy's vaccine conspiracy theories rooted in misinformation.
▶ 1:44:38And I'm just going to say this plainly again, life saving vaccines are being delayed, not because they don't work, not because they aren't needed, but because of doubts that defy overwhelming scientific consensus. That is dangerous and it's unacceptable. This amendment is about accountability. It's about ensuring that when congress makes a decision on a bipartisan basis in the interest of global health and american security, that decision is carried out.
▶ 1:45:08And, uh, and let me just say this we cannot stand by while children die from diseases we know how to prevent. So it's not only it's not just charity, as I said before, it's smart policy. I urge, uh, mister chair, I just wanted to speak on this. I'm not going to call for a roll call on this, because I am hoping that we're going to come together and, and get these funds released. And with that, I yield back.
▶ 1:45:40>> thank you, gentlelady, for her remarks. Gentleman from florida, Mr. diaz-balart is recognized. >> thank you, Mr. chairman. I appreciate the goal of of the ranking member on this amendment, uh, to ensure the contributions made available under our bill's, uh, reach their intended recipients. Uh, I look forward to working with the ranking member. I think her I think she wants to withdraw the amendment, but but it's, it's an issue that we're going to continue to work on. Um, and we've done so before. We'll do it again.
▶ 1:46:08Um, so I want to thank the gentlelady from florida for bringing this issue up. And we'll continue to work, Mr. chairman, on this issue. And I know that her intention is to, uh, to withdraw. I appreciate that, and she has my commitment to work with her on this issue. >> yeah. Um, Mr. mister chair, I'm going to withdraw. But first I would want to yield. Have you yield to some of the some members who want to speak on this and then I will certainly. Yes. Thank you. >> about that. Uh, thank you very much. Gentlelady from connecticut, miss dolores recognized to address the amendment.
▶ 1:46:39>> I thank the chair and I thank the chair of the subcommittee and the ranking member for their efforts and cooperation on this, uh, really very, very critical issue. Uh, I'm supportive. Ranking member frankel's amendment. This amendment withholds funding from the office of the secretary of state until the department obligates fiscal year 2025 and 26, a $600 million through gavi, the vaccine alliance.
▶ 1:47:06And since the year 2000, gavi has helped deliver vaccines to over 1.2 billion children in some of the poorest countries around the world. It has. They've saved an estimated 20 million lives. This is a pro-life amendment. Every dollar the united states invests in immunization through gavi generates upwards of $54 in economic activity.
▶ 1:47:34It is one of the most efficient investments that we can make. Yet the administration is still withholding $600 million. This was passed on a bipartisan basis. Democrats and republicans in the house and the senate. We said yes to support gavi, and this amendment reasserts congress's power of the purse.
▶ 1:47:59We appropriated the funding, and the department of state must follow congressional direction. The state department has not provided this funding because they are deferring to the secretary of health and human services, robert kennedy jr, who said in the hearing last week that he, in fact, is holding up the funds. He said, yes, he's holding them up.
▶ 1:48:26He is a vocal vaccine skeptic, and this is becoming a game of moving the goalposts. Hhs asked questions, gavi answers, hhs asks more questions, gavi answered. But there is no movement on the funding.
▶ 1:48:46And in the meantime, more and more children are left vulnerable to infectious diseases, increasing the risk that an outbreak begins and spreads to yes, to us in the united states, it's unacceptable. We appropriated the funding to this program.
▶ 1:49:02It must be provided, and it is the responsibility of the department of state to move forward on this effort and not defer its responsibility to someone who is not leading on the science on this, but his own particular ideology. That's wrong. None of our own particular ideologies ought to make that determination.
▶ 1:49:28We ought to be able to do what we established that we wanted to do, and that is to provide funding. The $600 million for gavi, the vaccine alliance, to help to save lives. I thank the ranking member for raising this important issue, and I yield back. >> thank gentlelady for her remarks. The gentlelady from florida, miss wasserman schultz, recognized to respond to the amendment. >> thank you, Mr. chairman.
▶ 1:49:56I rise in strong support of ranking member frankel's amendment to hold secretary rubio to his obligations to enforce the law. Right now, the secretary of state is sitting on funding that can save children's lives every day. The secretary refuses to obligate resources to. Gavi is a day that vulnerable children around the world go without vaccines that protect them from measles, polio and pneumonia.
▶ 1:50:20Gavi, the vaccine alliance, has immunized more than a billion children since 2000 and saved nearly 19 million lives. It has driven a 70% reduction in deaths from vaccine preventable diseases, and it delivers $54 in economic benefits for every single dollar invested. While the impacts of these investments are miraculous, this isn't just charity, it is strategic and supports our economy.
▶ 1:50:43Gavi is the world's leading purchaser of american made vaccines, supporting honest to goodness manufacturing jobs in my home state of florida and a dozen other states across the country, gavi invests more dollars into the american economy than the united states contributes to gavi. Let me repeat that they invest more in us than we invest in them. That is an extraordinary return on investment. Gavi also protects americans at home. Diseases do not respect borders. The covid pandemic made that abundantly clear to americans.
▶ 1:51:13Gavi vaccine stockpiles for ebola and cholera have repeatedly stopped regional outbreaks before they became global crises. When gavi stops an outbreak from becoming an epidemic, american lives are also saved. Above all, gavi is all about building towards independence. It supports countries on a sliding scale so they can eventually take over immunizations for themselves. Funding global immunizations has been a bipartisan priority for more than two decades.
▶ 1:51:39Every congress and every administration since 2001 have supported gavi. Even president trump, during his first term, pledged a record $1.16 billion to gavi and called it a great partnership. Today, that bipartisan legacy stands at risk. Why? Because for the last two years, the state department has refused to release congressionally mandated contributions to gavi. That's $600 million, enough to immunize more than 20 million children. And why is it being held up?
▶ 1:52:07Because the trump administration has cleared the decks of global health experts and stacked its payroll with anti-vaccine nutjobs and anti-science conspiracy theorists. I can't believe I have to say this, but sentencing millions of children to preventable death does not make america healthier. Newsflash this amendment sends a clear message congress will not allow the secretary to sit on lifesaving funds while children die from preventable diseases. We will not allow the administration to unilaterally abandon one of the most effective, cost effective and successful investments that we've made.
▶ 1:52:37I urge my colleagues to support this amendment. I thank the distinguished ranking member for offering it. I know she's going to withdraw it, but I hope at the end of this process that the right outcome occurs so we can save millions of lives that have been saved for many years. Thank you so much. >> thank the gentlelady gentleman from maryland, Mr. torres, recognized to address the amendment. >> I thank you, the gentleman, and I know this amendment is going to be withdrawn. Ladies and gentleman, this is a bill.
▶ 1:53:07It's not a suggestion. If we pass it, it's a law. If the president signs it, it's a law. Mr. vogt takes the position. He can spend either $1, no dollars or all the money that we appropriate. I use the phrase, we are the authors of our own impeachments.
▶ 1:53:30Either we pass this bill and the administration carries it out, as we have put it, into law, or it doesn't. If it doesn't, we become irrelevant. I don't think. I hope that was not the intention of any of you who joined this committee. Your intent was to make law.
▶ 1:53:59Your intent was to say that we believe this objective is an important objective. And when we put it into law, you carry it out. That means the executive department executes the law that under article one we adopt, we have authority for, and the constitution provides for that.
▶ 1:54:21So although this amendment is going to be withdrawn, I hope we would start to think about what does it mean when they refuse to spend money that we believe is important to spend through adoption of bills? Does it mean that it is a suggestion? I think not, and they should have spent this money.
▶ 1:54:47And if they don't want to spend it, they should have come back to us and either asked that it be defunded. Transfer the funds to some other objective they think is important, that we would approve or disapprove or spend the money and follow the law. Is that too much to ask the administration? >> thank the gentleman. Gentleman from wisconsin, Mr.
▶ 1:55:19Pocan, is recognized to address the amendment. >> thank you. >> Mr. chairman. >> and happy birthday. >> you have an interesting way of celebrating it. Um. So I am glad that this amendment at least forward and I'm glad the ranking member spoke the way he did. But let me just say, I was at that hearing we had with rfk jr. And he said, actually a little more. And I think it's worth putting this out there. So when he was questioned by Mr.
▶ 1:55:44Harter about mercury in air pollution, he, you know, don't forget, rfk jr was a lawyer who fought environmental law who was strongly against mercury. He said he agreed when it came to the administration not to debate energy policy. So he didn't really answer it. But he still said he has a problem with mercury. And then coming out of this conversation, he said his problem with some vaccines, and this is, again, an environmental lawyer, not a doctor, saying that mercury is used as a preservative in some vaccines. And that's why he was holding back garvey's funds.
▶ 1:56:1210 to 15% of the vaccines that garvey distributes has that the other 85 to 90% don't. But he's holding back funding for the polio vaccine, for example. I understand we have measles doing a resurgence in this country. We don't need polio with a resurgence at minimum. I'm hoping those of you who have sway on the republican side of the aisle could at least they should release all the funds because we've approved it.
▶ 1:56:39But if the hold up is this idea of a preservative release the minimum, the 500 plus million funds that go to polio and all the other vaccines, by not doing that, we're risking all of these diseases to have a resurgence. So I appreciate all the comments you said, but if you could have that private conversation about release, if if he's it is a moving target. I completely agree with miss delauro on that.
▶ 1:57:02But if what he said to us in a public setting was it's because mercury is a preservative in some vaccines, it's 10 to 15% of the vaccines that gavi is using. Then why are we holding up the funding on all of those? I would hope that at minimum that could happen. >> but the gentleman yield. >> miss delauro.
▶ 1:57:20>> I would say in that hearing, uh, in conversations with with gavi, with the alliance, they indicated they indicated, uh, to the secretary of hhs that in fact they can remove, um, the, uh, the mercury so that it would make it safe. And yet still hhs continues to hold this up. And as I said, they keep moving the goalposts, uh, and holding back on this, which is not their responsibility.
▶ 1:57:45It is our responsibility. I thank the gentleman. >> yeah. So just the messages, this is actually something we could solve very easily. But honestly, I don't think rfk jr is taking my advice. I think he would take yours a little more directly. Um, but this is one where we could, you know, get polio vaccine back out to people across the world as we voted to do.
▶ 1:58:09Uh, you know, regardless of this amendment being taken back, this is something we can still get done as a congress. And again, I'd appreciate any efforts you could do on that behalf. And I yield back. >> thank the gentleman. Are there other members wishing to address the amendment? If there's no further debate, then the gentlelady is recognized for one minute to close. >> thank you, Mr. chairman.
▶ 1:58:34I want to thank my colleagues for their very articulate, forceful arguments. And, uh, just explain the reason I'm withdrawing this amendment is has nothing to do with the merits of it, because this is the right thing to do. But, uh, Mr. chair, I didn't want that.
▶ 1:58:52This is the type of issue do I do not want to put, uh, our bipartisan and split it up and put us at odds, because I do believe that we can work together to get this money released. And with that, Mr. chair, I'm going to withdraw the amendment and yield back. >> I want to thank the gentlelady and just remind everybody that these debates are helpful, uh, quite frankly. And, uh, we're in a process of negotiating a bill effectively right now.
▶ 1:59:22And so these kind of points are important to make and, uh, many times offered and withdraw myself for the same reason the gentlelady is today. So I thank her, uh, with that. And I would now recognize the chairman diaz-balart, to offer republican en bloc amendment. >> chairman, I have an amendment on the desk that I would ask unanimous consent that the clerk dispense with the reading. >> without objection, the reading of the amendment is dispensed with, and the gentleman is recognized to discuss his amendment. Thank you. >> Mr. chairman.
▶ 1:59:48This en bloc amendment includes several changes to the bill and the report, and I'm going to go through them in the bill. The en bloc restricts funds for the national endowment for democracy from going to any organization attempting to influence elections in nato member countries, prohibits use of funds in contravention of executive order 14172 relating to restoring names that honor america's greatness, including, uh to create, procure, display any map that inaccurately, uh,
▶ 2:00:20Depicts the gulf of america. Uh, it prevents discrimination based on personal religious belief around marriage. And now to the report. In the report, the en bloc directs funds to counter drug cartels and transnational criminal organizations and increases training for the department of state diplomatic personnel on identifying, trafficking, and reporting victims of human trafficking.
▶ 2:00:44Finally, the amendment includes, uh, two a bunch of tough new conditions on censorship, uh, which I think are really, really good conditions. Uh, and with that, Mr. chairman, I urge support of the amendment I yield back. >> I thank the gentleman, the gentlelady from florida, miss frankel, is recognized to address the amendment. >> thank you, Mr. chair. And I, uh, strongly oppose this amendment and these additional extreme provisions.
▶ 2:01:08The world is facing serious challenges from great power competition, increasing authoritarianism and challenge across borders such as migration, disease, and climate change. But instead of discussing these critical issues, we're talking about policies that really have no place in this bill.
▶ 2:01:26Labeling activities as censorship denies that everyone is entitled to their own opinions, uh, but that we don't all get to have our own facts, misinformation and alternate realities are polarizing in our world and our country. And not being able to call out that information only pulls us further apart. We should be focused on global problems that affect our constituents, and not extreme provisions that we know will go nowhere.
▶ 2:01:55I urge my colleagues to reject this amendment. >> thank. Gentlelady. Do any other members wish to address the amendment? Gentleman from maryland, Mr. harris, is recognized. >> thank you very much. I want to thank the chairman for including the language that, uh, prohibits ned recipients, ngo recipients from interfering with nato ally elections. I think that's we should never be interfering with any of our allies elections, just as we would hope they wouldn't interfere with ours.
▶ 2:02:23And I specifically want to, uh, to, uh, thank the gentleman for the language that starts on page four that, uh, limitations on the use of funds made available for certain online speech related activities because, you know, some of our allies in the uk, you know, they passed the online safety act, which has been used to actually imprison people for political free speech, uh, or what should be political free speech in the eu. It's the digital services act.
▶ 2:02:51Uh, we should be very careful because these funds are going to overseas ngos. And if these ngos support those censorship measures, we shouldn't be funding them. It's that it's that simple. Uh, look, other countries don't agree with us that we actually have a constitutional right to political free speech. Uh, one person's misinformation is another person's political free speech. And that's the way it is in the united states. That's the way it should be in the western democracies.
▶ 2:03:17And I want to thank the gentleman for not funding, uh, funding policies that are antithetical to our first amendment. I yield. >> thank gentleman for his remarks. The gentleman from maryland, Mr. hoyer, is recognized for his remarks on the amendment. >> thank you. I'm sure jimmy kimmel would agree with the remarks of the gentleman from maryland. Uh. Will the chairman yield? Uh, the chairman, the. >> gentleman. >> uh, controls the time.
▶ 2:03:47>> would you yield? I know I have the time, but, um, the first paragraph says that none of the funds appropriated under this heading may be made available to an organization involved in attempting to influence elections in north atlantic treaty organization member countries. How would that have impacted vice president vance's, uh, in budapest, urging the election of Mr. orban? Uh, in the past election? >> well, if I may. Yes.
▶ 2:04:16Thank you. What we're dealing with here are, is are us government funds going to actually impact affect elections in nato countries? And, uh, you know, it doesn't change what somebody may say. We're not here to censor, but we're here to trying to do is making sure that we are not funding with our taxpayer money, trying to influence elections in allied countries. >> reclaiming my time.
▶ 2:04:43Do you think it would be a fair assumption that Mr. vance did not pay, uh, to have the air force plane fly him to or to hungary? >> we can we can. >> we can. And ask the question. If so, would that be precluded by this provision? >> we don't we don't fund, uh, you know, military planes. That tends to be a defense issue.
▶ 2:05:11But but look, we could go down that rabbit hole. I mean, there have been instances that reports of during the obama administration trying to influence elections in israel. What we're trying to do on here is a very basic assumption, which is if you're a nato country, we should not be trying to influence elections in your country. It's a pretty simple provision. >> my colleague brings up other instances, but I won't go into further instances.
▶ 2:05:37But, um, frankly, I think the actions of this administration, I'm going to vote against this amendment, but we're contrary to the assertions in that first paragraph, I yield back. >> thank gentleman. Are there other members wishing to address the amendment? Argentina seeing none, the gentleman is recognized for one minute to close. >> Mr. chairman, I don't think I need to spend a minute. I think everybody knows what this amendment does.
▶ 2:06:07I appreciate your support and I yield back. >> I thank the gentleman. The question is now on the amendment. All those in favor say I, I all those opposed say no. The chair the ayes have it. Roll call has been requested.
▶ 2:06:38Please. Sufficient number of hands have been raised. Support demonstrated. So clerk will call the roll. >> Mr. aderholt. Mr. aderholt. Aye. Mr. aguilar, Mr. aguilar. No. Mr. alford. Mr. alfred I. Mr. amodei, Mr. hamadeh I, Mrs. bice, Mrs. bice I. Mr. bishop, Mr. bishop. No. Mr. calvert, Mr. calvert, I Mr. carter, Mr. carter, I. Mr. case. Mr.
▶ 2:07:05Cisco, Mr. cisco I Mr. klein, Mr. klein, I Mr. cloud, Mr. clyburn, Mr. clyburn. No. Mr. clyde. Mr. clyde. I. Mr. cole. Mr. cole I. Mr. cuellar, Mr. cuellar. No. Miss. Dean. Miss. Dean. No. Miss. Delauro. No. Mr. lauro.
▶ 2:07:35No. Mr. diaz-balart, Mr. diaz-balart. I. Mr. edwards, Mr. edwards, I. Mr. lee, Mr. lee, I miss. Escobar, Mr. espaillat, Mr. fleishman, Mr. fleishman, I, miss. Frankel, miss. Frankel. No. Mr. franklin, Mr. franklin, I. Mr. guest, Mr. guest, I Mr. carter, Mr. carter. No. Doctor. Harris. Doctor. Harris. I. Mrs. henson, Mrs.
▶ 2:08:06Henson, I. Mr. hoyer, Mr. hoyer. No. Mr. iv, Mr. iv. No. Mr. joyce, miss. Kaptur marcy kaptur. No. Mr. Mr. I miss lee, no. Miss lee, no. Miss. Ludlow. Mr. levin. Mr. levin. No. Miss molloy, miss molloy, I miss mccollum, no. Miss mccollum, no. Miss ming, miss ming, no. Mr.
▶ 2:08:38Molinari, Mr. mulliner, I Mr. moore, Mr. moore, I Mr. morelli. No. Mr. morelli. No. Mr. van. Mr. newhouse, Mr. newhouse, I miss. Perez. Miss. Pingree, Mr. pocan, Mr. pokemon. No. Mr. quigley. Mr. quigley. No. Mr. reschenthaler. Mr. rogers. Yes.
▶ 2:09:10Mr. rutherford, Mr. rutherford I, Mr. shreeve, Mr. shreeve I. Mr. simpson, Mr. simpson, I, Mr. strong, Mr. strong, I Mrs. torres. No. Mrs. torres, no. Miss. Underwood, miss. Underwood. No. Mr. valadao, Mr. valadao, I, miss. Wasserman. Schultz, miss. Wasserman. Schultz. No. Mrs. watson. Coleman. Mrs. watson. Coleman. No. Mr. womack, Mr. womack. I.
▶ 2:09:40Mr. zink, Mr. zink I. >> does any member wish to record their vote or change their vote? Gentlelady from maine? >> no. Miss pingree, no. >> gentleman from hawaii. >> Mr. case, no. >> gentlelady from washington. >> miss perez, no. >> gentleman from new york. >> no. Mr. espaillat, no. >> gentlelady from texas. >> no miss escobar, no. >> gentleman from kentucky.
▶ 2:10:14>> Mr. rogers votes I. >> are there any other members wishing to change or record their vote? Seeing none, the clerk will tally.
▶ 2:11:03On this vote. The eyes are 31, the nose are 27. The amendment is adopted. Gentlelady from florida. Miss frankel is recognized for the purposes of an amendment. >> Mr. chairman, I have amendment at the desk. I ask unanimous consent that the reading of the amendment be dispensed with. >> without objection, the reading of the amendment is dispensed with and gentlelady is recognized for remarks on her amendment.
▶ 2:11:33>> this amendment would prohibit funds in this bill from being used to deport or transfer individuals against their will to countries that are not their country of origin. And let's be clear, this policy that I just described is part of an inhumane agenda, one that is sweeping people off our streets in aggressive raids, often targeting individuals, individuals with no criminal record, eroding due process and even leading to dangerous
▶ 2:12:05Confrontations where americans have been caught in the crossfire. I'm talking about the actual activities of ice, of course. Uh, this is not the targeted removal of violent criminals that was promised. This is an outsourcing of human suffering. My amendment is about stopping this disturbing and dangerous practice that is not worthy of our country. Right now, the administration is separating people who have built lives here.
▶ 2:12:34The home, health care aide caring for a senior, the construction worker rebuilding after a hurricane, the farm worker putting food on our tables. These are our neighbors, our coworkers, parents, people who work hard and contribute every single day.
▶ 2:12:52And yet they are being taken off the street by masked agents and sent thousands of miles away to countries where they have no family, no ability to speak the language, no legal ties, no support system at all. They have been. They are being sent to places they have never been isolated, vulnerable, and in some cases in grave danger. And we have already seen the consequences. I'll give you some examples.
▶ 2:13:18Sarah, a 28 year old christian convert from iran, fled a regime, a regime where her faith could cost her her life. She endured the dangerous journey, uh, to to get to the united states. Instead, she was detained, placed on a plane, and sent to panama, a country where she has no ties, no family, no future. And after weeks alone in a hotel in a detention center, she was released onto the streets with nowhere to go.
▶ 2:13:45Today, her whereabouts unknown. Take farrah, a 21 year old woman from morocco, fled after her own family tried to kill her because she is gay. An immigration judge determined she would face persecution if she returned home, yet she was deported to cameroon, where being gay is a crime.
▶ 2:14:07Terrified, alone, she ultimately made her way back to morocco, where she now lives in hiding, still fearing for her life. And folks, this gets worse. We're now hearing reports that more than 1000 afghan allies, people who risked their lives to support american troops. And I want to just say personally, my son was one of those troops.
▶ 2:14:30These people risked their lives to support american troops being forced to choose now, choose now between returning to the taliban controlled afghanistan or being sent to the democratic republic of congo, a country already gripped by violence and humanitarian crisis. Folks, this is not about border security. It's about how far are we willing to go and who are we willing to harm?
▶ 2:14:58And let's be clear now that this is happening, the state department is pressuring other countries to take these individuals through threats of tariffs, visa restrictions, and even withholding assistance. Human beings are being treated like bargaining chips. That's not leadership. It's coercion. And it comes at a cost. Millions in taxpayer dollars to push other countries to take people. They have no obligation or ability to protect. So what are we really funding here?
▶ 2:15:27Not safety, not law and order, but something truly cruel. And my amendment is simple. It's grounded in basic decency. The united states should not use taxpayer dollars to send people to countries where they have no connection and no chance to rebuild their lives. If we continue down this path, we diminish our credibility, we weaken our moral standing, and we put lives at risk risk. So I ask my countries, is this who we are?
▶ 2:15:54Or are we a country that believes in fairness, dignity, and responsibility? This amendment gives us a chance to draw a line. I urge a yes vote, stop the cruelty, protect our taxpayers, and restore a measure of humanity and how we act in this world. And I yield back. >> thank the gentlelady, uh, the gentleman from florida, Mr. diaz-balart, is recognized to respond to the amendment. >> thank you, Mr. chairman.
▶ 2:16:21I rise in opposition to this amendment. The amendment is way overly broad, uh, and would tie the hands of the administration in ways that I don't think we want to do. Look, I think we can all agree that we do not want serious criminals, uh, in our country. Um, today there are numerous convicted terrorists, criminals, murderers, drug dealers, pedophiles sitting in our jails waiting for their countries of origin to take them back.
▶ 2:16:49Uh, and unfortunately, american taxpayers are paying for that. So under this amendment, uh, if that individual, that individual, and I'm talking about potentially, you know, I'm talking about serious criminals in our, in our prisons who are, as I mentioned, drug dealers, pedophiles, whatever, if they object, then we can't send them out of the country.
▶ 2:17:12Uh, again, under this amendment, if those individuals objected to being returned, which obviously they would, the secretary of state would be precluded from negotiating with the country so that those countries can take them. I don't think the american people would want to continue paying to keep criminals in the united states, when the department could potentially facilitate their removal. So, respectfully, I would urge a no vote on this amendment, and I yield back. Mr. chairman.
▶ 2:17:42>> thank you. Gentlemen. Gentlelady from new york, miss ming is recognized to address the amendment. >> thank you, Mr. chairman. I rise in support of this amendment and would like to thank the ranking member for offering it in 2025. This administration made a deal with the country of eswatini to accept deportees from vietnam, laos, the philippines, cuba and jamaica. These deportations are not cruel. They are un-american.
▶ 2:18:09This issue is near and dear to my district in queens, where immigrants and refugees weave the tapestry, beautiful tapestry of new york city. I'm proud to represent a large afghan diaspora community, including women for afghan women, a grassroots organization dedicated to afghan women's empowerment. Our afghan allies fought bravely alongside our forces against the taliban. We promised them refuge.
▶ 2:18:38But years later, many still remain stranded, including at camp azalea in qatar. Last week, we learned the administration is planning to shutter the camp and force the 1100 afghans stranded there, mostly women and children, to go to the democratic republic of the congo, a war torn country where they have no ties or go back to afghanistan, where they face almost certain death at the hands of the
▶ 2:19:09Taliban. This is wrong. As former nato supreme allied commander james stavridis said, shame on us. I think of the brave afghans that stood alongside us against the taliban. It is incomprehensible to me that we would not bring them here to the united states, fulfilling the most fundamental obligations of trust and honor.
▶ 2:19:33What message does it send when the state department rolls out the red carpet for south africans who skip the line only to strand those who put their lives and their families lives on the line for america's security? I saw a video from a young afghan girl, zahra, whose parents were afghan military and fought alongside our forces. She has been at the camp for a year and a half.
▶ 2:19:59She said I've been away from education for four years. We do not want anything big. Only a peaceful life, a chance to get a better education and a brighter future. Today is zahra's 15th birthday. Zahra, we hear you and happy birthday. I'll be supporting this amendment I yield back. >> thank you. Gentlelady. The gentleman from maryland, Mr.
▶ 2:20:28Ivey, is recognized to respond to the amendment. >> thank you, Mr. chairman, and happy birthday. Thank you. I rise in support of this amendment. I, um, I have to say, I have a lot of people in my district, um, who've been dealing with issues like this for some time. It's a different version of it now. When I was a local prosecutor, I prosecuted many people. Um, some of them were Ms. 13 gang members.
▶ 2:20:55They served their time, uh, and then they were deported and we didn't have any issues with respect to the deportation at that time because they were all convicted criminals. And after they'd served their time, and we made them serve the time before they were deported, because we wanted to make sure that they, uh, they paid the price for what they had done. We wanted to make sure we had the measure of justice done here in the united states, um, before they were sent away.
▶ 2:21:23Because sometimes, to be candid, you can send them off to a country. You don't know what's going to happen in that country. They, they might be back before the, uh, the plane gets, uh, to, to turn around. So we made sure we, they served their jail time first and then they were deported. But what we're doing right now isn't deporting, in many instances, people who've actually been convicted of any kind of criminal conduct, much less violent criminals and terrorists like the administration likes to talk about. Many of the people who've been sent away haven't been convicted of anything.
▶ 2:21:52And so people in my district, um, they were in the middle of these kinds of battles. Right now, almost none of them have been convicted of any kind of crime here in the united states. Nevertheless, they've been deported, in some instances, sent away to countries they've never been to before. And the key part of this that really troubles me is there's no determination as to how long they will be incarcerated in the place that they go.
▶ 2:22:18So for kilmer, rego garcia, when they deported him to el salvador, he hadn't been convicted of any crime here in the united states. They sent him to el salvador, um, with no determination about how long he would be jailed there. Um, and, uh, he hadn't committed any kind of crime there or here.
▶ 2:22:36There was a group of venezuelans, I think, about 250 of them who were also arrested and deported from the united states, sent to the same jail, the gulag hellhole in el salvador called seacat. Um, none of them had been convicted of any crimes. And eventually the united states cut a deal with venezuela and allowed them to be released to venezuela. But those were not people who had been convicted of any kind of criminal conduct.
▶ 2:23:04Nevertheless, we were sending them to one of the worst jails in the world, with no determination as to how long they would be held. And they hadn't committed any crimes here in el salvador or for the group from venezuela in their home country either. That doesn't make any sense. That's not what we should be doing with this. And by the way, we're paying millions of dollars to do this. So I understand that the administration wants to be aggressive in its deportation efforts.
▶ 2:23:30Um, but incarcerating people who haven't committed a crime is not what we should be doing, and we shouldn't be paying money for other countries to do that either. So I will, um, certainly support this amendment. I think it's critical for us to make sure that we're doing these things in the right way.
▶ 2:23:49And this lastly, I would say this when we asked for the agreement, the contract between the united states and el salvador that governed the arrangement for the incarceration down there, the administration refused to give it to us. So the only way we got the information was when the case went to court, a civil case was filed to force the united states to produce the document. That's the only way we got the agreement. That certainly isn't the way it should work, either.
▶ 2:24:19Not only should the congress be able to get this information directly, but the american people should know what these agreements are, how much money they're paying for it. And we should certainly know that we're paying to incarcerate people in jail who've never been convicted of anything here or there. So with that, I support the amendment. I urge my colleagues to do the same. >> thank the gentleman. Are there other members wishing to address the amendment?
▶ 2:24:44Seeing none, the gentlelady is recognized for one minute to close. >> thank you, Mr. chair. You know, track, which is a nonpartisan research center that looks at federal data. Here's what it's telling us that as of april 4th, 42, 000 plus of the 6000 plus detainees by ice, that 42,000 had no criminal conviction.
▶ 2:25:10That's over 70% have no criminal conviction. And our afghan allies, allies to even suggest that they're anything other than heroes or heroines is not is not genuine. And I'll just say one other thing.
▶ 2:25:27If you take a look of the people who are being deported, you know, come into my area and go into an assisted living facility or a nursing home and see the women who come from other countries who are now going to be sent where to some country in africa they know nothing about. That is just so wrong. It is so indecent. Uh, we should never put innocent people in harm's way under the guise of security. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment. I yield back.
▶ 2:25:59>> thank gentlelady. The questions now on the amendment offered by the gentlelady from florida. All those in favor say aye. All those opposed say no. No opinion. The chair the nos have it. A roll call has been requested. Sufficient support having been demonstrated, the clerk will call the roll. >> Mr. aderholt. Mr. aderholt. No. Mr. aguilar, Mr. aguilar. Aye. Mr. alford. Mr. alford. No.
▶ 2:26:30Mr. amodei, Mr. amodei. No. Mrs. bice. Mrs. bice. No. Mr. bishop, Mr. bishop, I. Mr. calvert. Mr. carter, Mr. carter. No. Mr. case. Mr. case I, Mr. eskamani. Mr. eskamani. No. Mr. klein, Mr. klein. No. Mr. cloud, Mr. clyburn, Mr. clyburn. Mr.
▶ 2:27:00Clyburn I. Mr. clyde. Mr. clyde. No. Mr. cole. No. Mr. cole. No. Mr. cuellar, miss. Dean, miss. Dean, I miss. Delauro, Mr. I, Mr. diaz-balart, Mr. diaz-balart. No. Mr. edwards, Mr. edwards. No. Mr. lee. Mr. lee. No. Miss. Escobar. Mr. espaillat, Mr. fleishman, Mr. fleishman. No. Miss.
▶ 2:27:28Frankel, miss frankel, I. Mr. franklin, Mr. franklin. No. Mr. guest, Mr. guest. No. Mr. harter, Mr. carter, I. Doctor. Harris. Doctor. Harris. No. Mrs. henson, Mrs. henson. No. Mr. hoyer, Mr. hoyer I Mr. iv, Mr. iv, I Mr. joyce, miss kaptur, miss kaptur I. Mr. Mr. lalota. No. Miss.
▶ 2:28:00Lee, miss lee, I miss. Letlow. Mr. levin. Mr. levin, I miss. Molloy, miss. Molloy. No. Miss mccollum, I miss mccollum, I miss ming, miss ming, I. Mr. mulliner, Mr. mulliner. No. Mr. moore, Mr. moore. No. Mr. morelli, Mr. morelli I. Mr. van, Mr. newhouse. Mr. newhouse. No.
▶ 2:28:32Miss. Perez, miss. Pingree, miss pingree, I. Mr. pocan, Mr. pocan, I Mr. quigley. Mr. quigley, I. Mr. guy reschenthaler. Mr. rogers, Mr. rogers. No. Mr. rutherford. Mr. rutherford. No. Mr. shreeve, Mr. shreeve. No. Mr. simpson. Mr. simpson. No. Mr. strong, Mr. strong. No. Mrs.
▶ 2:29:00Torres, Mrs. torres, I miss. Underwood, miss underwood, I. Mr. valadao, Mr. valadao. No. Miss. Wasserman. Schultz, miss. Wasserman. Schultz. I. Mrs. watson. Coleman, Mrs. watson. Coleman. I. Mr. womack, Mr. womack. No. Mr. zinc. Mr. zinc. No. >> are there any members wishing to cast their vote or change their vote? Gentleman from california.
▶ 2:29:32>> Mr. calvert. No. >> gentlelady from texas. >> miss escobar, a. >> gentleman from new york. >> Mr. espaillat. >> are there others wishing to change or record their votes? Seeing none, the clerk will tally. Oh. Gentlelady from. And she voted, I thank you. Well, I just didn't want to. >> I appreciate it, thank you. >> clerk will tally.
▶ 2:30:32>> chairman. Okay. >> while we're waiting for a vote just to announce lunch is available. So. Peruvian, I think peruvian lunch.
▶ 2:31:03On this vote. The eyes are 25. The nose are 31. The amendment is not adopted. The gentlelady from connecticut, Mr. lohr, is recognized for an amendment. >> thank you, Mr. chairman. I have an amendment at the desk, and I ask unanimous consent that. >> oh, sorry. >> the reading of the amendment be dispensed with. >> without objection, the reading of the amendment is dispensed with, and the gentlelady is recognized for remarks on her amendment. >> thank you again, Mr.
▶ 2:31:34Chairman. My amendment would reverse the rescission of $1 billion in humanitarian aid funding. What this administration has done to the humanitarian mission of america will have devastating consequences for millions of people, especially children, around the globe.
▶ 2:31:52As I stated in my opening remarks, the decimation of usaid alone is predicted to lead to more than 9 million deaths, 2.5 million of whom are children younger than five years old. A report from the council on foreign relations noted that in 2025, the american people collectively spent more money on halloween candy than their government did on life saving humanitarian aid.
▶ 2:32:22Humanitarian aid funding fell from $14 billion in 2024 to $3.7 billion in 2025. Since 2022, american humanitarian aid funding has collapsed by more than 80%. We are diminishing our aid efforts, even as humanitarian crises proliferate around the world.
▶ 2:32:49In sudan, over 26 million people, more than half the population, are facing crisis levels of food insecurity. More than 92% of housing in gaza has been damaged or destroyed. Over 55,000 children are suffering from acute malnutrition, and only 14 out of the 36 hospitals in gaza are even partially operational.
▶ 2:33:14In ethiopia, the number of critically, critically food insecure people is predicted to reach nearly 11 million this summer. In haiti, 90% of the population suffers from poverty. Some 4.4 million people are chronically food insecure or worse. In myanmar, recent natural disasters have thrown millions into crisis. More than 8 million people face moderate to severe levels of food insecurity.
▶ 2:33:43I could go on, but I trust that my point is clear there are millions of people suffering around the world who depend on humanitarian assistance to survive. There are plenty of worthy ways to spend this funding. It is tempting to look away, to pretend that this is not happening. But it is. And just because we cannot see or hear from these people as we go about our lives, does not mean that they do not exist.
▶ 2:34:09Many of these cuts to humanitarian aid were made under the pretense that we need to stop spending our money abroad, and instead invest here at home. I agree with the second half of that sentiment. I do believe we ought to invest resources to support americans at home, but that is not what this administration is proposing. That is not what the bills we are considering this year will do.
▶ 2:34:38This administration is slashing domestic funding for programs that help support americans at home, while seeking unprecedented increases to spending on foreign wars, billions of dollars on foreign wars. These cuts, humanitarian aid, are unjustifiable. I encourage my colleagues to support my amendment and to help alleviate the suffering and prevent the death of millions of people around the globe. Thank you, and I yield back.
▶ 2:35:08>> thank the gentlelady, the gentleman from florida, Mr. diaz-balart, recognized, respond to the amendment. >> thank you very, very much, Mr. chairman. I rise in opposition to the amendment. The gentlelady's amendment proposes to strike issues to strike a $1 billion rescission with no offset. Uh, the bill before us provides 5 billion with a b $5 billion in international humanitarian assistance to ensure adequate resources are available for humanitarian and disaster assistance.
▶ 2:35:37This amendment would put us above our allocations. So I urge a no vote on the amendment. And, Mr. chairman, I will yield back. >> I thank the gentleman. The gentlelady from florida, miss frankel, is recognized to respond to the amendment. >> well, thank you. I rise in support of ranking member dolores. Amendment to strike the 1 billion rescission to humanitarian assistance. And let me start by saying this is a very bad top line. Uh, we shouldn't have to be debating this.
▶ 2:36:07Humanitarian assistance is one of the clearest expressions of american leadership and american values in the world. It's the food that keeps the child nourished through a famine. It's the clean water that keeps people alive in times of drought. It's the shelter for displaced family fleeing violence. It's the medicine that prevents disease from reaching our own shores.
▶ 2:36:31Through partners like world food program, unicef, and unicef, the united states helps deliver life saving aid to millions of people facing war, disaster and extreme poverty. And this practice is not charity, it's strategy. It prevents instability that fuels conflict and extremism. It reduces mass migration driven by desperation.
▶ 2:36:55It stops disease outbreaks before they become a global threat, and reinforces american leadership in a dangerous world. This $1 billion rescission is not just a budget adjustment, it's a decision with life and death consequences. And I strongly support this amendment, and I yield back. >> thank the gentlelady. Are there other members wishing to address the amendment?
▶ 2:37:25Seeing none, the gentlelady is recognized for one minute to close. >> thank you, Mr. chairman. I would just remind the chair of the subcommittee that, uh, you know, he quoted, uh, what is there at the moment, um, humanitarian aid. I don't make up these numbers. Humanitarian aid funding fell from $14 billion in 2024 to 3.7 billion in 2025.
▶ 2:37:52Since 2022, american humanitarian aid funding has collapsed by more than 80%. So it is you you continuing to dig the hole deeper. There is so much good that this 1 billion can do to rescind it is unconscionable. It's just not the moral thing to do, but the smart thing to do for our national security, if you are desperate people, means more stability for everyone.
▶ 2:38:16Take a look at the french revolution and why it started is over a a food prices, to be very honest with you. Uh, just take a hard look. I'll leave you with the words of former secretary of defense during president trump's first term, general james mattis, who said, and I quote, if you don't fund the state department fully, then I need to buy more ammunition.
▶ 2:38:39Ultimately, if we abandon our international aid efforts, it will only increase the likelihood of costly and deadly conflicts, I guess. But the billions of dollars spent in that direction don't make any difference to some folks here. Um, and again, it's about the money we're willing to spend for war and not a dime for spending, uh, for, for peace. I ask my colleagues to support this amendment. Thank you. And I yield back. >> I thank the gentlelady.
▶ 2:39:06The question is now on the amendment offered by the gentlelady from connecticut. All those in favor say aye. I all those opposed say no. The chair the ayes have it. Roll call. Roll call has been requested. Sufficient support has been demonstrated. The clerk will call the roll. >> Mr. aderholt. Mr. aderholt. No. Mr. aguilar, Mr. aguilar, I, Mr. alford, Mr. alford. No. Mr. amodei, Mr. amodei. No. Mrs. bice. Mrs. bice. No. Mr.
▶ 2:39:34Bishop, Mr. bishop, I. Mr. calvert, Mr. calvert. No. Mr. carter. Mr. carter. No. Mr. case. Mr. case I Mr. cisco. Mr. cisco. No. Mr. klein. Mr. cloud. Mr. clyburn, Mr. clyburn I. Mr. clyde. Mr. cole. No. Mr. cole. No. Mr. cuellar, miss. Dean, miss. Dean, I miss.
▶ 2:40:05>> delauro I Mr. >> I Mr. diaz-balart, Mr. diaz-balart. No. Mr. edwards. Mr. edwards. No. Mr. ellzey. Mr. ellzey. No. Miss escobar, I miss. Escobar, I Mr. espaillat, Mr. espaillat I Mr. fleischmann, Mr. fleischmann. No. Miss. Frankel, miss. Frankel, I Mr. franklin, Mr. franklin. No. Mr. guest, Mr. guest. No. Mr. harter. Doctor. Harris. Mrs. henson, Mrs. henson. No. Mr.
▶ 2:40:37Hoyer. I Mr. hoyer I Mr. iv, Mr. iv, I Mr. joyce, Mr. joyce no. Miss kaptur, miss kaptur, I. Mr. lalota. Mr. lalota. No. Miss lee, miss lee, I miss. Letlow. Mr. levin, miss. Molloy, miss molloy, no. Miss mccollum, I miss mccollum, I miss ming, miss ming I, Mr. molinari, Mr. molenaar. No. Mr. moore, Mr.
▶ 2:41:09Moore. No. Mr. morelli, Mr. morelli I. Mr. murvin, Mr. newhouse, miss. Perez, miss. Perez, I, miss. Pingree, miss pingree, I. Mr. pocan, Mr. pocan, I Mr. quigley. Mr. quigley, I. Mr. reschenthaler. Mr. rogers, Mr. rogers. No. Mr. rutherford. Mr. rutherford. No. Mr. shreeve, Mr. shreeve. No.
▶ 2:41:41Mr. simpson. Mr. simpson. No. Mr. strong, Mr. strong. No. Mrs. torres. Mrs. torres, I miss underwood, I miss underwood, I Mr. valadao, Mr. valadao, no. Miss. Wasserman. Schultz, miss. Wasserman. Schultz, I. Mrs. watson. Coleman, Mrs. watson. Coleman. I. Mr. womack, Mr. womack. No. Mr. zink, Mr. zink. No. >> are there any members wishing to record their vote or change their vote?
▶ 2:42:10The gentleman from texas. >> uh. >> Mr. cuellar, a. >> gentleman from maryland. >> doctor harris. >> no gentleman from virginia. >> Mr. kline? No. >> gentleman from california. >> Mr. harter? No. >> the other gentleman from california. >> miss. >> sorry. >> Mr. levin, I. Mr. harter, I. >> keep you guys voting together.
▶ 2:42:38Self-correcting mechanism there. A gentleman from washington. >> Mr. newhouse. No. >> are there any other members wishing to cast their vote or change their vote? Seeing none, the clerk will tally.
▶ 2:43:34Uh, the gentleman from georgia recorded. Gentleman certainly may be. >> Mr. clyde votes no.
▶ 2:44:06>> I'm good. >> on this vote. The eyes are 27, the nose are 32. The amendment is not adopted. Gentleman from maryland. Mr. hoyer is recognized for the purposes of amendment. >> thank you, Mr. chairman. As was observed earlier in the day. >> the chairman.
▶ 2:44:35>> I ask unanimous consent that the reading of the amendment. >> that objection, the reading of the amendment is dispensed with, and the gentleman's. Recognized for remarks on his amendment. >> Mr. chairman, as I started to say at the beginning, I think maybe of this session or our last session of congress, uh, the majority renamed the name of this committee as the national security committee. I think that's accurate. I think this does deal with the national security.
▶ 2:45:02I think this amendment deals directly with the national security of this country. I want to thank the ranking member for her leadership and strong support on this issue, as well as my colleague, representative castor and Mr. oxley, who are very strongly in favor of ukraine. I also want to thank the subcommittee for including the important language in section 7047, which I believe has been carried before.
▶ 2:45:29That language says that we will not support any country that aids and abets the illegal takeover of crimea and such other territories, uh, as they have taken over in ukraine. Uh, our failure in the west to respond decisively to the taking of crimea initially.
▶ 2:45:53And I say the west, not just the united states, was, in my opinion, the mother of this war in ukraine today, when vladimir putin's forces invaded the sovereign nation of ukraine four years ago, russian media predicted its democratic government would fall in three days. Now, 1524 days later, ukraine is still holding the line and even making gains to liberate liberate territory.
▶ 2:46:22The nation's military is fighting not only ukraine's war for independence, it is fighting for all who believe in freedom, self-determination and international law. Ukrainians have developed ingenious military technologies and are leading on drone technology on their own behalf, some of which is now helping our forces become more capable and better prepared. Mr.
▶ 2:46:47Chairman, ukraine is surviving and holding its own, no small part because of the military and financial support of its allies, including the united states. Since the war began, we have appropriated, uh, money towards ukraine's battle for freedom. This included both direct aid to ukraine, as well as funding for associated U.S. military operations in europe. When we enacted the last supplemental appropriation. Now hear me, ladies and gentlemen.
▶ 2:47:14It was april 23rd. We have not acted for 24 months on appropriating funds for ukraine. In fact, over 12 votes, 12 votes that we've had, uh, on every vote that we've had to support ukraine, we've had over 300 votes.
▶ 2:47:37And on almost every one of those votes, the majority of republicans and the unanimous, unanimous democrats voted to support ukraine financially and in every other way. In fact, over 12 votes, 80% of the members have voted to support ukraine. There's an unreliable, undeniable bipartisan will to stand with the people of ukraine in their fight for freedom.
▶ 2:48:04Now, in the fiscal year 27 defense authorization bill, we have put $800 million for ukraine to be allocated in in 26 and 27. This bill allocates. That was an authorization. This appropriates $500 million, which I will point out to the chairman, is not more money in the bill.
▶ 2:48:31It is a portion of the national security investment program of $6.9 billion, of which about $700 million is allocated in the bill, leaving some five point plus billion dollars available. This is $500 million, uh, for ukraine. America needs to speak.
▶ 2:49:03It needs to speak for those troops that are in the field. It needs to speak for those 28000 people, uh, in the military, who have been either injured or killed since april 23rd of 2024, in fiscal year 26, our committee allocated $6.76 billion to national security investment program. It now is $6.9 billion.
▶ 2:49:30And I suggest you this is a critical action for the united states of america to take. We have been silent, voiceless on any additional resources to ukraine for 24 months. Is that sending a signal to the world of america's leadership on behalf of freedom and security? I think not. It is an uncertain trumpet.
▶ 2:49:58That we have been sounding. We must remain steadfast on behalf of ukraine. Make no mistake, a defeat for putin is a victory for america and for all people, free people around the world, and a victory for ukraine is a reminder to those who would use violence to seize territory.
▶ 2:50:23That is a long a losing proposition because the free world stands together on behalf of ukraine for 1524 days, I've worn this pin. Ukrainian flag as a signal of my continuing support.
▶ 2:50:44This is a single a signal of our continuing support of the congress of the united states for freedom, international law and democracy. I pray that you will make an exception to unanimous opposition to amendments and support this amendment for our country. For the ukrainian men and women who are bravely fighting for their freedom and their national integrity, I yield back.
▶ 2:51:17>> thank the gentleman for his remarks. The gentleman from florida, Mr. diaz-balart, is recognized to respond to the amendment. >> thank you, Mr. chairman. Let me first start by saying that I, I, I really, seriously appreciate, uh, the spirit by which Mr. hoyer has offered this amendment. Um, I really do. Um, I, however, cannot support it at this time.
▶ 2:51:39Uh, and that's from somebody, as you know, who led the effort on the house floor to pass the last ukraine supplemental, uh, the president and the secretary, uh, have been emphasizing diplomatic efforts to end russia's war of aggression and bring about a just and lasting peace. They've also been pressuring our european allies to do more, that they should do more.
▶ 2:52:01And again, meanwhile, our european partners have stepped up with additional support, including, uh, agreement this month on $106 billion loan to ukraine to cover its financial need over the next two years. Now, once those funds have been drawn, an additional $117 billion in european union funds is expected to be allocated to ukraine. I think that's a positive step in the right direction.
▶ 2:52:26In addition, um, providing this amount of national security investment program funding, and again, I give the sponsor credit for actually looking at ways to find it in other parts of this bill.
▶ 2:52:39Um, but, um, taking that money, uh, from the national security investment program funding and putting it to ukraine would negatively impact, uh, bill directives that we have in this bill, uh, to support other allies and partners such as jordan, the philippines, and key partners in western hemisphere, uh, that have been neglected for far too long. So again, while I, I understand where the gentleman is going, uh, I respectfully urge the defeat of this amendment at this time.
▶ 2:53:08And I yield back, Mr. chairman. >> thank the gentleman. The gentlelady from florida, miss frankel, is recognized to address the amendment. >> thank you, Mr. chairman. I rise in strong support of this amendment. Uh, Mr. uh, to my colleague, Mr. diaz-balart. I agree with so much you had said in terms of, uh, supporting other allies. Uh, but ukraine is also an ally. And, uh, the resilience of this country is absolutely amazing.
▶ 2:53:36And we need to, uh, still stand with them and be with them. It's going to deter other actors, uh, like, for example, china from invading taiwan. It will send a message to russia that we do not will not accept them to take their war further into europe. And we will be standing for democracy and self-determination. And with that, I yield back. >> thank gentlelady for her remarks.
▶ 2:54:04Gentlelady from ohio, miss kaptur's recognized to address the amendment. >> thank you, Mr. chairman. Uh, and I thank Mr. hoyer for offering this crucial amendment and really measured amendment. And, uh, chair diaz-balart for his respectful comments. The purpose of the amendment is to support freedom, somewhat support freedom, uh, for ukraine and to restore some shred of support for our time tested, dear allies in ukraine.
▶ 2:54:36I thought I would put a few facts on the table. Uh, and congressman hoyer has mentioned that every time a vote has occurred in the congress, uh, a majority of members of both parties have supported assistance and attention to ukraine. But I thought I would, um, step back briefly and put a few facts on the table for those who might be listening to this debate. Russia has 11 time zones.
▶ 2:55:01Ukraine has one, kyiv, the capital of ukraine, was settled and formed long before moscow. Moscow's much further north. Russia has never known liberty. It has never been a part of its history.
▶ 2:55:19Most recently, you might remember vladimir putin, the dictator of russia, uh, made sure that a political rival, alexei navalny, was put to death in a cold, frigid. Camp in the arctic. It was just brutal. It was just, uh, it's subhuman.
▶ 2:55:46And, um, russia, um, and the former soviet union, uh, have perfected mass murder on a national scale. The notorious.
▶ 2:56:01And I'll just put this again for the history records, 1937, order number 00447, written and imposed by russian dictator joseph stalin, called for mass execution and exile of socially harmful elements as enemies of the people. Today, the term to describe what happened back then is called a genocide. The purposeful elimination of all or part of a social group or political group.
▶ 2:56:28Personally, I view the soils of ukraine as sacred because in the last century, more lives were forcibly obliterated there on its lands than anywhere else on the face of the earth. No one knows the number.
▶ 2:56:43We think it's between 9 and 20 million human beings put to death purposefully by dictator joseph stalin through forced starvation of millions of peasants, mass murders of millions of kulak farmers, many believers who did not believe as the state wanted them to believe and were deemed subhuman, common laborers and, um, people that fit today's definition of dei.
▶ 2:57:11The stalin was a crude and vile man. And truly, the book bloodlands by timothy snyder can walk people through who want to learn more about the history and the purpose of congressman hoyer's amendment.
▶ 2:57:28The backdrop, uh, had me recall, uh, just last week, the european union passed, as was mentioned, $105 billion aid package to try to make up for what happened in the past and to make sure russia doesn't overrun ukraine, which it is attempting to do. So today we debate whether to support less than one half of 1% of the amount the europeans have pledged.
▶ 2:57:55It's no wonder that our allies are losing faith in our ability to lead where it matters, where liberty matters. Ukraine is not asking for charity. It's asking for partnership to stop another rogue dictator who threatens liberty and frankly, would turn on all of us when given the moment when our nation failed to learn the lessons of modern air defense as iran, supported by russia, killed our soldiers in the middle east. Remember that? Who came to our aid? Ukraine came to our aid.
▶ 2:58:25Ukraine shared his experience and technology to save our lives. As russia and iran bombed our service members. And whether we include, uh. This amendment matters. It matters because we choose a side. We're asking to choose a side and to work with the majority. It matters that we choose liberty at this moment and democracy, rather than side with russia and dictators. As this administration, for the first time in history, has been voting with dictators at the united nations. I have never seen anything like it.
▶ 2:58:55I urge my colleagues to support this amendment and hope it receives unanimous support. The world is indeed watching. It's watching us. It's watching this vote to see whether we side with ukraine or whether we abandon our allies and friends in liberty's cause. I yield back, support the amendment. >> thank the gentlelady for her remarks. Gentlelady from minnesota, miss mccullum's recognized to address the amendment. >> thank you, mister chair.
▶ 2:59:26>> ukraine assistance initiative has been pointed out. Was started in 2015 and it was right after putin went into crimea and seized it. And so for over a decade, congress has supported ukraine in a very bipartisan way. Last year, in fiscal 2026 defense appropriations act, we included $400 million for the european capacity building, which can be used to support ukraine.
▶ 2:59:52And again, that passed with bipartisan support just yesterday. Um, chairman, uh, calvert and I, along with, uh, the senate leaders from the defense appropriations as well as the authorizers. We had a discussion with the secretary of defense. Mr. hexb, and Mr. mcconnell. Senator mcconnell pointed out this money has not been released.
▶ 3:00:21It's been signed into law, it hasn't been released. And all of us down the table were like, this is the law. The president signed it. The money is there for ukraine. Why hasn't it been released? So finally, the secretary of defense spoke and he said, well, I'm not sure why. I guess I'll look into it. That's not an answer to the congress.
▶ 3:00:44And so I think this vote today could also help to reaffirm the secretary of defense and the president of united states. The law is the law. We voted bipartisanly for money to go to ukraine. That defense appropriations should go there, just as well as the assistance that's being discussed in this bill, I yield back. >> thank the gentlelady for remarks. Gentlelady from pennsylvania. Miss dean's recognized to address the amendment.
▶ 3:01:18>> thank you, Mr. chairman. I too rise in support of Mr. hoyer's amendment number one. Uh, that would say that of the funds appropriated by this act under the heading national security investment programs, not less than 500 million shall be made available. Notwithstanding any other provision of the law. This is for ukraine. I have to say, I serve on both foreign affairs and this esteemed committee. I've had the chance to travel to ukraine.
▶ 3:01:47I have many, many ukrainian american citizens in my district, suburban philadelphia and philadelphia has many ukrainian american citizens very proud. They've taught me so much about their culture, their history, their belief in democracy, their striving for independence, and and of course, their sovereignty. Uh, this war was begun so brutally february of 2022.
▶ 3:02:16It's hard to imagine a war that people thought would end, probably in ukraine's fast defeat within days or even weeks. Uh, somehow ukrainians have held on. They have shown such grit, such determination, such courage. Uh, and at first we were so bipartisan and said, yes, we must do everything we can to support ukraine, to make sure ukraine is successful and remain sovereign as a democracy in charge of its own destiny.
▶ 3:02:45I was proud of us when we did that. Uh, I fought with the last administration to do more. We used to say the expression, give ukraine everything it needs. And I always thought the sentence was incomplete. Give ukraine everything it needs to win is what the sentence should have been all along. For the last four plus years. Everything it needs to win. So I was critical of the last administration, though. We got a lot of support out.
▶ 3:03:13And then you saw how long it was before we got that supplemental. By strange coincidence, the day we passed the supplemental in a bipartisan fashion. And I was proud that we got that done. I had the chance to travel to ukraine with a democratic member and two republican members. We went first to poland, uh, and saw our brave soldiers there at the logistics, uh, hub where they're moving so much material in.
▶ 3:03:39I asked one of our soldiers, why are you here? Why did you? He had asked for the assignment. He said, I asked for this assignment because I wanted to be able to say to my children, when ukraine, when a democracy, an ally, was in need, I was right there helping them be supplied with everything we could possibly get into them to save lives. Uh. Then we had the chance to go in the ten hour train, ride in and meet with president volodymyr zelensky.
▶ 3:04:08Could not have been more thankful, more appreciative if he thanked us once he thanked us a hundred times, as did all of the generals and military members from ukraine, thanked us and showed us the difference our support was making. And that's a long time ago, so I don't understand it. We saw it clearly then.
▶ 3:04:27Civilians murdered, brutally murdered, civilian property destroyed tens and tens and tens of thousands of ukrainian children are missing, have been captured there in so-called reeducation camps.
▶ 3:04:45Think of what that would do to you and your family, and then times it by tens and tens of thousands, a stripping of their culture, a stripping of their heritage, trying to eliminate the beauty of the ukrainian people. So I would ask everybody here to just say, yes, we reaffirm our support for ukraine in the billions and billions of dollars that we're going to pass this year, uh, in order to support other allies and friends.
▶ 3:05:14Why wouldn't we say yes, at least $500 billion get ukraine everything she needs to win and spare the lives of those who are being killed. Still civilians being killed, soldiers being killed as putin just comes in and rolls over and cares nothing for his own loss of life. I support the amendment. >> thank gentlelady. Are there others wishing to address the amendment?
▶ 3:05:45>> okay. >> seeing none, the gentleman is recognized. I'm sorry. The gentlelady. >> I'm sorry. >> okay, sorry. The gentleman is recognized for one minute to close. >> Mr. chairman. The republicans voted, uh, to authorize an additional $800 million, 197 to 18.
▶ 3:06:13That really didn't do anything other than, say, we're going to authorize some expenditures from that point to this. 24 months have gone by and we have not done that.
▶ 3:06:32What that has done to the morale of the ukrainians, uh, I can't quantify, but it hasn't been good.
▶ 3:06:45I came to congress in 1981, and I stood with ronald reagan against many of the people in my district for the mx missile, for the deployment of, uh, armor in europe that the russians didn't think we would do.
▶ 3:07:05I stood with the gentleman from florida, my good friend, on behalf of democracy in cuba. My friend is shaking his head. Yes. I believe in standing up for freedom here and around the world.
▶ 3:07:32And I believe that 24 months of inaction is not doing so. Again. 197 to 18 you voted for this authorization. Was that an empty promise to the people of ukraine and to the world? On behalf of our security? I hope not.
▶ 3:07:5812 votes, over 300 members of the congress, the house of representatives said, yes, we are going to support freedom, democracy and oppose the breaking of international law and putin's authoritarianism. I know I've gone over time, 24 months. Waiting is over time.
▶ 3:08:33Do not make this a partizan vote. Do not make this a vote that says, no, we're not going to follow up on that which we voted 197 to 18. On your side of the aisle, I plead with you, for the people of ukraine and for. The united states being a partner that can be counted on.
▶ 3:09:05Mr. chairman. This committee needs to speak. The congress needs to speak. For democracy, for freedom, and not in a partizan way. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment.
▶ 3:09:24500 million and I, with all due respect to the chairman of the committee subcommittee, I would say in your report, you set aside $517 million for certain objectives. Set up for jordan. This will not adversely affect that because you have a clearly enough money for half $1 billion.
▶ 3:09:49And ladies and gentlemen, a half $1 billion is one day's expenditure, half of one day's expenditure in iran. This is not enough, but it is at least the congress saying, we're still with you. Please vote for ukraine. Vote for american reliability. I, I yield back.
▶ 3:10:21>> thank the gentleman for his remarks. Questions on the amendment offered by the gentleman from maryland. All those in favor say aye. >> aye. >> those opposed say no. >> no. >> the opinion of the chair, the nos have it roll call has been requested. Roll call the roll. >> Mr. aderholt. Mr. aderholt. No. Mr. aguilar, Mr. aguilar, I Mr. alford, Mr. alford. No. Mr. amodei, Mr. amodei. No. Mrs.
▶ 3:10:52Bice, Mr. bishop, Mr. bishop, I. Mr. calvert, Mr. calvert. No. Mr. carter. Mr. carter. No. Mr. case. Mr. case I, Mr. eskamani. Mr. kline, Mr. kline. No. Mr. cloud. Mr. clyburn, Mr. clyburn I. Mr. clyde. Mr. clyde. No. Mr. cole. >> no. >> Mr. cole. No. Mr. cuellar, Mr.
▶ 3:11:21Cuellar I miss dean, miss dean, I miss. Delauro, miss. Delauro, I. Mr. diaz-balart, Mr. diaz-balart. No. Mr. edwards. Mr. lee. Mr. lee. No. Miss. Escobar, Mr. escobar, I. Mr. esparza. Mr. fleishman, Mr. fleishman. No. Miss. Frankel, miss. Frankel, I. Mr. franklin, Mr. franklin. No. Mr. guest. Mr. guest. No. Mr. harder, Mr.
▶ 3:11:53Harder. I. Doctor. Harris. Mrs. henson, Mrs. henson. No. Mr. >> hoyer I Mr. iv, Mr. iv I Mr. joyce, Mr. joyce no, miss kaptur, I miss kaptur I Mr. lalota, miss lee. Miss lee I miss. Ludlow, Mr. levin, Mr. levin, I miss. Malloy, miss malloy. No.
▶ 3:12:23Miss mccollum, miss mccollum, I miss ming, miss ming, I. Mr. mulliner, Mr. mulliner. No. Mr. moore, Mr. moore. No. Mr. morelli. Mr. mervyn. Mr. newhouse, Mr. newhouse. No. Miss. Perez, miss perez, I miss pingree, I miss pingree, I Mr. pocan, Mr. pocan, I Mr. quigley. Mr. quigley I Mr. reschenthaler. Mr.
▶ 3:12:52Rogers, Mr. rogers. No. Mr. rutherford. Mr. rutherford. No. Mr. shreeve, Mr. shreeve. No. Mr. simpson. Mr. simpson. No. Mr. strong, Mr. strong. No. Mrs. torres. Mrs. torres, I miss. Underwood, miss underwood, I. Mr. valadao, Mr. valadao. No. Miss. Wasserman. Schultz, miss. Wasserman. Schultz. I. Mrs.
▶ 3:13:22Watson. Coleman, Mrs. watson. Coleman. I. Mr. womack, Mr. womack. No. Mr. zink, Mr. zink. No. >> are there any members wishing to record their vote or change their vote? Gentleman from maryland. >> doctor harris. No. >> gentleman from north carolina. >> Mr. edwards. No. >> gentleman from arizona. >> Mr. cisco? No. >> gentlelady from oklahoma. >> Mrs. bice, no. >> gentleman from new york. >> my record.
▶ 3:13:52>> I do not believe the gentleman is recorded. >> Mr. morelli votes I. >> and gentleman. Other gentleman from new york. >> Mr. espaillat, I. >> so many gentleman in new york. Gentleman. >> Mr. nick lalota. No. >> are there any other members wishing to record or change their vote? Seeing none, the clerk will tally.
▶ 3:14:48On this vote the eyes of 27. The nodes are 32, and the amendment is not adopted. The gentleman from illinois, Mr. quigley, is recognized for the purpose of an amendment. >> thank you, Mr. chairman. Mr. chairman, I have an amendment at the desk and ask unanimous, unanimous consent to dispense with the reading. >> without objection, the reading of the amendment is dispensed with, and the gentleman's recognized for remarks on his amendment. >> Mr.
▶ 3:15:15Chairman, I've always supported israel's right to defend itself, both as an ally of the us and as a nation whose people deserve freedom and security. But how it does so matters. The palestinian people have that same right to freedom and security. The only way to achieve those goals is through a two state solution.
▶ 3:15:34However, over the last two and a half years, that goal is slipping further and further away due to the devastation across gaza and the severe escalation in violence in the west bank. Mr. chairman, I will offer and withdraw this ordinance after any discussion and hope that it would make a small but significant step toward that two state solution.
▶ 3:15:57My amendment would prohibit funding for defense articles like armored military bulldozers that are used to damage or destroy palestinian property in the west bank, specifically, would block any U.S. funding from being used by israel for any actions that expand settlements or outposts, or that harm or demolish homes, schools, farms, orchards or other civilian property in the west bank or gaza.
▶ 3:16:23Under the netanyahu government, israel has been using bulldozers to raze entire towns in gaza, and they have been a tool of settlement expansion in the west bank. Let me be clear this amendment does not weaken the U.S. commitment to israel's security. It does not restrict israel's ability to defend itself, and it does not change the partnership between our two countries. What it does is establish a clear and necessary limitation on how U.S.
▶ 3:16:52Tax dollars are used. U.S. payer funding should not be used to impose an illegal occupation or violate international humanitarian law and human rights. If we are serious about long term stability across the region, then we must be honest about the conditions that are undermining the possibility of a lasting peace.
▶ 3:17:13Continuing to fund the israeli government's action in the west bank and gaza will only continue to destabilize the region and put U.S. forces and allies at risk. It is in israel's security interest to have a stable neighbor in a palestinian state, and it is in the U.S. best interest to support an israel that is not constantly preoccupied by war and support the creation of a palestinian state.
▶ 3:17:40Over the last decade, conditions in both the west bank and gaza and the west bank have deteriorated significantly. In gaza, entire neighborhoods have been reduced to rubble. In the west bank, the expansion of settlements and outposts has accelerated, alongside increased incidence of violence and the destruction of civilian property. U.S. assistance is intended to support security and stability.
▶ 3:18:05It should not be used in any way that contributes to the destruction of civilian infrastructure, or the expansion of settlements that further undermine the prospect of a two state solution. This amendment ensures that we are not acting against our own best interests. It ensures that american tax dollars are not being used to damage or destroy civilian property, and would also curb the rapidly increased settlement in the west bank. This is not a radical position to take.
▶ 3:18:33It is a matter of aligning our funding of our allies defense with our long standing U.S. policies and international law. We have to be honest about where we are after two and a half years of conflict, and what will happen if we can continue to allow these actions. Every expansion of a settlement, every demolition of a home or school, every loss of civilian infrastructure, makes the possibility of that two state solution more unlikely.
▶ 3:18:59This is not israel's long term security interest and is not in our national security interest, a future where both israelis and palestinians can live in security and dignity, with recognized rights and secure borders is possible. But that future is only possible if we begin laying the groundwork for it. This amendment will help do that. We have an opportunity here to be clear, consistent and responsible with how we use taxpayer dollars.
▶ 3:19:27I believe this amendment reflects that responsibility and reflects a commitment to a future where israelis and palestinians can live in peace and security. Thank you, and I yield back. >> thank the gentleman for his remarks. The gentleman from florida, Mr. diaz-balart, is recognized to respond to the amendment. >> thank you, Mr. chairman, and I. I know the gentleman will be withdrawn. The amendment. So I'll be very brief, but I rise in opposition. Uh, first, let's make one thing absolutely clear.
▶ 3:20:00It is documented everywhere, very well documented that terrorists in the west bank and gaza use human shields, including hiding terrorist infrastructure, under schools, under hospitals, under un buildings. Uh, secondly, uh, security assistance to israel, like security assistance to every country in the world, is subject to human rights conditions in the arms export control act and other vetting requirements.
▶ 3:20:28So these other conditions, additional conditions are totally unnecessary. And I think they're totally inappropriate, uh, to one of our closest allies, uh, that is under serious threat right now. So again, I know the gentleman, uh, is going to be withdrawn, but I just remind people that israel is a vital ally of the united states. We work very closely with israel to eliminate the threats posed by iran, hezbollah, and hamas.
▶ 3:20:55And I think, uh, which is why I would strongly oppose this. But again, I understand and I thank the gentleman that he's going to be withdrawing it. With that, I yield back. >> thank the gentleman. Gentlelady from florida, miss frankel, is recognized for remarks on the amendment. >> yeah. Thank you again. Um, I respect, uh, the gentleman's, uh, willingness to withdraw this amendment. I just want to say this, this is a obviously become a contentious situation.
▶ 3:21:26I myself, I'm a strong supporter of security of israel, the people who live there, and also the decency to innocent people nearby. Uh, and I respect your offering and willingness to withdraw your back. >> thank the gentlelady gentleman from georgia, Mr. clyde, is recognized for remarks on the amendment. >> thank you, Mr. chairman.
▶ 3:21:48As a steadfast supporter of our greatest ally in the middle east, israel, I rise in strong opposition to representative quigley's amendment number one, which seeks to prohibit U.S. funds for assistance to israel related to the expansion of outposts or settlements, or the damage or demolition of certain property in the west bank or gaza.
▶ 3:22:06This amendment is yet another misguided attempt to tie the hands of our closest ally in the middle east, while it fights for its very survival against iranian backed terrorists, israel stands as the only democracy in a region dominated by authoritarian regimes and radical ideologies. Surrounded by 22 arab countries with a combined population exceeding 500 million, israel, with just 7 million jews, faces existential threats in a land mass where the arab world is 500 times larger.
▶ 3:22:34Yet it upholds equal rights for its arab and jewish citizens alike a model of pluralism, pluralism unknown to most of its neighbors. Mr. quigley's amendment would punish israel for defending itself and securing territory necessary to prevent future attacks. It injects one sided pressure on our aid and into our relationship. At a time when israel needs our full support to dismantle terrorist infrastructure.
▶ 3:23:00America's bipartisan commitment to israel has never been about micromanaging its defensive actions. It is about standing with a vital partner against the radical islamic terrorism that threatens us all. Instead of restricting israel, I believe we should affirm its right to secure its borders and eliminate threats. This amendment weakens our ally and rewards those who reject peace. I urge my colleagues to reject it, and I appreciate Mr. quigley's desire to withdraw it. Thank you, and I yield back.
▶ 3:23:29>> thank the gentleman for his remarks. Gentlelady from connecticut, Mr. lawrence, recognized for address the amendment. >> thank you, Mr. chairman. I rise in support of congressman quigley's amendment, which would require the united states to live up to our obligations under international law.
▶ 3:23:45It is clear that israel's conduct in the west bank, and specifically the rabbit rapid expansion of illegal settlements, violates the oslo accords, the un charter, the geneva conventions, and more. I have seen it with my own eyes this february. This past february, I led a week long congressional delegation to visit israel and the west bank.
▶ 3:24:11The most recent of several trips I have taken in recent years to better understand the region and the needs of the people who live there. What I saw on the ground is clear annexation of the west bank is happening before our very eyes. I strongly support a two state solution, but I think it is slipping through our fingers.
▶ 3:24:36We were planning to visit the village of ross on al-auja in the northern west bank for three weeks before the trip. All 700 residents of the village sheepherders fled due to violence from nearby settlers. We drove through the ruined remains of the building of the village. All bulldozed buildings, schools bulldozed. You could see the lesson plans on the ground.
▶ 3:25:05We saw a group of israeli settlers having a picnic. A similar story played out at the village at the village of fusi yael al-wusta in the jordan valley. When we visited, six of the eight families had fled. Two weeks later, the idf demolished the home, bulldozed again of the family we visited. Not only now, only one of those families is left. These are not isolated incidents.
▶ 3:25:35They are part of a strategy to destroy the possibility of a two state solution by abrogating the oslo accords and carving up palestinian territory, such that a viable state cannot exist. In 2025 alone, israel approved 54 new west bank settlements and president biden's four years as president.
▶ 3:25:57There were 1486 new settlement outposts, which are illegal even under israeli law, were established in 2025, and the israeli government has allocated millions of dollars to support them. These new outposts serve as bases of operations for settlers to launch attacks against palestinians and 2025. So over 1800 attacks, the highest number on record since the war with iran, began.
▶ 3:26:26Settler violence, and it's been documented, has escalated further, averaging more than six attacks per day. The attacks have resulted in the murder of seven palestinians and injuries to dozens more since october 7th, over 38 west bank communities have been emptied, bulldozed their residents driven away by settlers.
▶ 3:26:48Most of the the the the people who live there are sheepherders and they are gone, uh, with and move themselves, their families and their sheep with them. Like all other nations, israel remains bound by the geneva convention. And as a member of the un, it is also bound by the un charter. Population transfers, land seizures, forced displacement are illegal no matter the circumstances.
▶ 3:27:17This amendment would recognize the united states obligation under international law, which are at a minimum, to cease support for israel's illegal settlement policies. But there are impacts at home as well. The more the U.S. ignores lawless actions, turns a blind eye to the violations of palestinian territory and sovereignty. The. More than our credibility and influence erodes on the global stage.
▶ 3:27:43In a world these days where no one trusts the united states or believes that we act in good faith, we are left to rely only on military might alone to achieve our goals. That is a world that is more dangerous for the united states and for democracy, and one where we must spend more in blood and treasure to reach the same goals.
▶ 3:28:02One can be a strong supporter of israel and at the same time be a strong supporter of a palestinian state where two peoples can live side by side.
▶ 3:28:16As the oslo accords have laid out, uh, and which the majority, I believe, of people in the united states and in israel believe we cannot allow the indiscriminate use of machinery like bulldozers to tear down people's homes, houses, and just put an end to their ability to exist. I urge my colleagues to support the amendment. I know my colleague is going to withdraw it, but I thank him for introducing it.
▶ 3:28:48>> thank the gentlelady, the gentlelady from minnesota, Mr. combs, recognized to address the amendment. >> thank you, Mr. chairman. >> we are watching the two state solution just evaporate in front of our eyes. I've had the honor and I mean the privilege of working with israelis on human rights issues in israel for the past. Well, almost near a decade.
▶ 3:29:11And I do this because I want israeli children to be able to be tucked into bed at night and not worry about missiles raining down on their head. And I do it because I want palestinian parents to tuck their children into bed, into their home, looking forward to going to school tomorrow and not worried about what could happen to their family, their village. The next day. The two state solution.
▶ 3:29:37It was, um, a creation of the palestinian state and the west bank and gaza with eastern jerusalem as a capital, broadly along the lines that existed in the 1967 arab war.
▶ 3:29:52But what's happened recently since taking office, the current israeli government in 2022, the current, uh, they significantly increased the approval of new settlements and have begun legislation process for unauthorized outposts. That's what they're calling them, unauthorized outposts. And recognizing them now as neighbors and existing settlements. These are in violation of the un charter.
▶ 3:30:20The approvals, uh, came, uh, just, uh, last day in the last days, um, the united nations has said that the settlement expansion has reached its highest level since 2017. So I'm just going to give you a couple of examples of what's just happened this month. And I think the gentlewoman from connecticut for sharing what she saw.
▶ 3:30:43Um, april 20th, april 7th, april 16th, the occupation forces conducted demolition operations as part of ongoing efforts to expand settlements. That's how israeli described it. Israel described it. Israeli bulldozers on april 19th demolished dozens of homes, leaving approximately 1500 residents at risk of displacement.
▶ 3:31:08On april 20th, military bulldozers demolished and inhabited a two story houses and two days in april, april 27th and april 28th, multiple teams of bulldozers were reported clearing palestinian land and uprooting olive trees to expand settlements. When you uproot an olive tree or when you drive the shepherds out of their field, you destroy not only lives, but the livelihoods for future generations.
▶ 3:31:36I know the gentleman's going to withdraw this amendment. I have a bill. If you'd like to work or learn more about how U.S. taxpayers dollars could not be used in violations of human rights, your taxpayers dollars. Um, it is bill 7545, and I suggest you take a look at it. I thank the gentleman for offering the amendment. This is something we don't discuss very often around here, and we're doing it, I think, in a very thoughtful manner.
▶ 3:32:03And I hope people take a take time to read not only international newspapers, but israeli newspapers as well. This is not a slam dunk in israel to destroy these homes, these buildings and these schools, I yield back. >> thank gentlelady for her remarks. Gentlelady from new jersey. Miss watson coleman's recognized to respond to the amendment. >> thank you, Mr. chairman.
▶ 3:32:33>> I want to thank my colleague, Mr. quigley for offering this amendment and bringing this whole issue up for discussion. I believe in the safety and security of israelis, and I believe in the safety and security of palestinians. I believe in the safety, security and prosperity of both of these people. But what I see happening on the west bank is wrong. The the actual bulldozing of communities.
▶ 3:33:01Can you imagine somebody coming into your whole community, eliminating your whole community, uprooting your family, your job, your children, your any notion of where you could possibly go to be safe and to enjoy your life? Well, that's what's happening on the west bank. And it is not an issue of israeli security.
▶ 3:33:25With regard to the west bank and to our chairman, chairman of the subcommittee. It's not an issue of hiding terrorists. It's an issue of moving innocent people, innocent, god loving families out of their homes and out of their opportunities to take care of, to raise their families and to find peace.
▶ 3:33:53You know what we need to do with the united states of america? We need to be teaching the children of the next generation how to love one another, even though they may look a little different.
▶ 3:34:08And even though they may praise their creator a little differently at the end of the day, the united states of america blindly allowing israel to do some of the things that israel is doing, has nothing to do with israel's protection of its safety and security. It is wrong. It is wrong headed.
▶ 3:34:29And we need to confront the reality that we have a greater stake in this discussion and on behalf of humanity for all people, and we can think of it lightly, and we can try to put it all on terrorists and put it on issues. But just because we say it does not make it so. And so, I thank you, uh, congressman quigley, for offering this amendment.
▶ 3:34:55It is saddening, saddening to me that we can't go forward and be put on the record with regard to it, I yield back. >> thank the gentlelady. Gentlelady from pennsylvania is recognized to address the amendment. Mr. dean. >> thank you, Mr. chairman. I too rise in support of Mr. quigley's amendment. I understanding that you will withdraw it, but what it would do is it would prohibit U.S.
▶ 3:35:21Assistance for israel to be used for the expansion of outposts or settlements, or demolition of civilian property in the west bank. I don't know how anybody in this room could disagree with that. It's a simple fact of right and wrong. Israel is our ally. That does not mean israel gets a blank check from us to pursue activities that gravely undermine any chance, any remaining chance, of a two state solution.
▶ 3:35:49And quite frankly, these activities are lawless. They're against our laws. They're against international law. The israeli government is approving new settlements in the west bank at a record pace, enabled by the complicity of this administration. Palestinian homes and villages are being destroyed, fields are being destroyed, shepherds being run off their land.
▶ 3:36:13I was, along with the ranking member february 13 to 18 of this year, just weeks before the iran war. And what we saw was devastating. Whole villages destroyed, humble homes bulldozed, a simple mosque burned to bits.
▶ 3:36:34As we leaned in what was left of the mosque people, hundreds of people run off land that they had been on for decades, if not centuries. Simple, right and wrong. We had to change our visit schedule simply because one whole area had been cleared by these illegal west bank demolitions. Israel enabled some laws passed to enable it. You know, we must not.
▶ 3:37:01We must follow our own laws, the leahy laws and other relevant provisions of the foreign assistance act ensure that israel is held to account for violations. What does it say when they violate our own laws and we are quiet? This is not a singling out of israel. Rather, it's an assuring that we hold israel to the same standard that we hold all of our allies and partners, and I hope we hold ourselves our. Our hope is for a stable, peaceful middle east.
▶ 3:37:31It's for a two state solution that allows for israelis and palestinians to live with dignity, security, self-determination, for the children to stop being terrorized. Allowing israel to pursue unchecked expansion is wrong. It's illegal, and it makes that future impossible. I thank you, Mr. quigley, for offering this amendment and at least giving us the chance to raise this important set of issues.
▶ 3:38:00You lift up simple wrongs and we must not be a party to it. I yield back. >> I thank the gentlelady for her remarks. Are there others wishing to address the amendment? Seeing none, the gentleman is recognized for one minute to close. >> thank you, Mr. chairman. This is difficult. Uh, it's sort of fundamental for many of us who started here. My first coat was with aipac to israel and. Our allies.
▶ 3:38:26Our friends aren't always right. Uh, I think the problem with how those discussions went is wasn't a lot of dissent. There wasn't in the air or a thought that maybe we're wrong or we should look at this. And I think it's time that we do. Uh, you can, you can be for two things. I'm for the elimination of hamas in a safe country.
▶ 3:38:57That doesn't mean I'm against the palestinians. Uh, what I saw most in my multiple trips to the west bank was a loss of hope, extraordinary unemployment, which is a breeding ground for recruitment and terrorism, which makes israel less safe, the palestinians less safe. Our U.S. ourselves and our other allies less safe. It's okay to dissent against your own country.
▶ 3:39:24Well, if that's okay, then why isn't it okay to disagree with israel? Why is it that different? I think we have to look within ourselves of how we became aware of this issue and whether differences were tolerated there. And we're still at that point. Where are the voices against illegal annexation?
▶ 3:39:49Where are the voices from within us against violence, against by the adf, by settlers, against the palestinians in the west bank? We can be for both of these things. Indeed, it's absolutely essential that we do. I'd appreciate your support, and I will withdraw this amendment at this point. >> I thank the gentleman.
▶ 3:40:16Just before we move to the next one, just for the purposes of being clear, about 215, we will recess no matter where we're at. Obviously, you're asked to be in your seats in the chamber. If you're going to the address by the king, uh, by 230, immediately after that, we will come back and resume. So with that gentleman from illinois is recognized for the purpose of an amendment. >> thank you, Mr. chairman.
▶ 3:40:45I do a lot of amendments. I do two in a row. Uh, I rise to offer an amendment. I ask that the reading be dispensed with. >> without objection. The reading of the amendment is dispensed with, and the gentleman's recognized for remarks on his amendment. >> this amendment would carve out 400 million within existing funding for reconstruction efforts in gaza that would rebuild essential civilian infrastructure like water, electricity and sanitation.
▶ 3:41:12Thus, be clear that does not increase overall spending, simply directs a portion of existing funding within the national security investment programs account toward an urgent and strategic need, and it does so with guardrails, ensuring that all funding is administered only through vetted international organizations and non-governmental organizations. Mr. chair, the scale of devastation across the gaza strip is unprecedented in modern history.
▶ 3:41:39During the second world war, 30% of all buildings were destroyed in poland. Today, in gaza, that number is much higher. According to a recent assessment by the geographic information system at hebrew university, about 70% of all structures in gaza have sustained severe damage. Others are now reporting 81%. At least a quarter of all buildings have been entirely destroyed.
▶ 3:42:05This month, the united nations, european union and world bank released an operational damage and needs assessment that reported over 76% of all housing across gaza has been directly damaged, including housing units and apartments in the palestinian refugee camps. Entire neighborhoods have been leveled, schools and hospitals have been severely damaged and destroyed.
▶ 3:42:29Critical infrastructure including water, sewage networks, electrical grids have been decimated and the cost of rebuilding the strip are staggering. The un, eu world bank estimate that the total cost to rebuild the strip is $70 billion, and that it will take decades.
▶ 3:42:47This amendment is a meaningful, targeted first step toward helping civilians in gaza rebuild their lives without the basic necessities, necessities of clean water and electricity. There is no path to stability, and instability takes root when the most basic needs are not met. Supporting the reconstruction of gaza is not only a humanitarian endeavor, it is a matter of national security in the u. S best interests.
▶ 3:43:17For half a century, the region has been plagued by chaos and devastation that has fueled extremism, instability and conflict. If we are serious about long term stability in the region and about israel's security and laying the groundwork for a lasting peace, then we must also commit to rebuilding palestinian civilian lives. This amendment reflects this reality and the reality that the U.S. has already taken steps in that direction.
▶ 3:43:44The trump administration has already consulted with congress on the use of up to $1 billion in existing funding for humanitarian purposes in gaza. This amendment builds on this progress and does so in a way that should be able to secure bipartisan support. The us has both the responsibility to assist the people of gaza, as well as an inherent interest in doing so.
▶ 3:44:10If we are to prevent further conflict and radicalization in the region, we have seen the unbelievable consequences of this conflict and the loss of life, physical destruction and overall destabilization of the region.
▶ 3:44:25The instability makes everyone less safe, including the us and our closest allies, intel agencies in both the us and israel agree that prime minister netanyahu, netanyahu's strategy in gaza will not lead to security for israelis or palestinians. His tactics have played into hamas's hands by radicalizing another generation and making it easier for hamas to recruit in the future.
▶ 3:44:52Reconstruction done responsibly, with proper, strict oversight, is one of the few tools we have to reverse that trajectory. This amendment ensures that the us is used only for its intended purpose, its assistance rebuilding civilian infrastructure, and cannot be diverted. It is targeted, it is responsible and it is necessary. The right thing to do is often the smartest thing to do. Mr. chair, this is not a partizan issue.
▶ 3:45:20It is about recognizing the reality of two and a half years of war and responding appropriately. We cannot ignore the scale of destruction. We cannot ignore the long term consequences, and we cannot. Of inaction. And we cannot expect stability to emerge from devastation. This amendment offers a practical step forward, and I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support it, and I yield back.
▶ 3:45:48>> thank the gentleman for his remarks and the gentleman from florida, Mr. diaz-balart, is recognized to respond to the amendment. >> thank you very much, Mr. chairman. I rise in opposition to my friend's amendment. President trump has made remarkable progress towards peace in gaza, including successfully securing the release of all remaining hostages, even those who, unfortunately had already perished, hostages that hamas was holding for a very long time.
▶ 3:46:15Uh, the president and his team are working on executing his 20 point peace plan, uh, for the future of gaza. This bill, this bill is currently drafted, gives the president and the secretary the flexibility to provide resources for that plan if they need them. But here's the key. With the same strong vetting and oversight requirements that have long been in place for any assistance for gaza.
▶ 3:46:44You know, I don't have to remind you, we're talking about a place that has been a war zone for years now. And where hamas continues continues to pose a threat, including killing their own people. So it's obvious that we can't predict how long each stage of this process is going to take, nor do we know how much, if any, actually, the united states funding, uh, the united states would have to fund.
▶ 3:47:10So again, look, the president, as we've seen, is working with our gulf allies to address the funds that may be necessary in the needs for gaza. Um, so I don't think we benefit at all from setting a funding level in this bill at this time. So I respectfully but strongly urge a no vote on the amendment. And with that, Mr. chairman, I will yield back. >> thank the gentleman for his remarks. Gentlelady from florida, miss frankel is recognized to address the amendment. >> thank you, Mr. chair.
▶ 3:47:40I rise in support of this amendment, which would make funding available for reconstruction for gaza from the national security investment program account. I think my colleagues know it's well known. I am, uh, one of the most ardent, proud supporters, uh, for the security of israel that you're going to find in this congress. And I represent one of the largest jewish communities in this country.
▶ 3:48:07And incidentally, it's estimated that within the population of palm beach county, where I represent, that they have over 50 to 100,000 relatives who actually live in israel. So my support is not just based on our own security, which is important, but also for the security of of people who live there. And I do think, Mr.
▶ 3:48:34Quigley, that your amendment advances the security, and that's why I support it, because there's a moral and strategic imperative to ensure that assistance reaches the people of gaza to begin rebuilding. And let me be clear, hamas should not play a role. But that does not change the reality that. Are you okay? Good. He's coughing up a storm over here.
▶ 3:49:00But that does not change the reality that for millions in the most basic of necessities can mean the difference between life of promise or a sharp turn down to the path of extremism. And we don't want that. Children all around the world, especially in places where conflict and violence persist, deserve access to roofs over their heads, clean water to drink full bellies, and the opportunity to get an education.
▶ 3:49:28We have a very long road ahead of us, really, to achieve the kind of peace we want. But we must take. We must go step by step, live up to our commitment to make stability, peace and prosperity possible for israelis and palestinians alike. And that's why I encourage my colleagues to vote for this good amendment. I yield back. >> thank the gentlelady for her remarks. Uh, now recognize gentlelady from new york, miss ming, to address the amendment.
▶ 3:50:03>> thank you, Mr. chair. I too rise in support of this amendment while humanitarian aid is flowing. The situation in gaza is not sustainable. 1.9 million palestinians remain displaced. Most still live in tents and temporary shelters. Once hamas disarms and hamas must disarm, this amendment would provide funding to start the process of rebuilding gaza. Some of the work to clear rubble and ordnance has already begun.
▶ 3:50:32I'm proud this bill includes language I authored to make funds available to support these efforts. Importantly, this amendment makes sure that only vetted organizations are eligible to receive reconstruction dollars. That's on top of some of the strictest restrictions on aid to gaza included in this bill, which will help make sure hamas does not divert assistance.
▶ 3:50:53This amendment would be an important step towards building a more secure, peaceful future for israel and the palestinian people. I support this amendment. Thank you, and I yield back. >> thank the gentlelady for her remarks. The gentleman from georgia is recognized to address the amendment. >> thank you, Mr. chairman.
▶ 3:51:17I rise in strong opposition to representative quigley's amendment number two, which would direct no less than $400 million for gaza reconstruction. This proposal would force american taxpayers to to bankroll the rebuilding of a terror stronghold controlled by hamas. I mean, you all do realize that the gaza strip, at least 47% of it, is still controlled by hamas. And hamas is a terrorist organization.
▶ 3:51:43After israel's unilateral withdrawal from gaza in 2005, hamas violently seized power in 2007 and transformed the territory into a launch pad for thousands of rockets targeting israeli civilians. On october 7th, 2023, that investment in hatred exploded into the deadliest attack on jews since the holocaust.
▶ 3:52:02Hamas has repeatedly vowed to repeat such atrocities again and again, as its leaders openly call for israel's destruction, directing hundreds of millions of of dollars to so-called reconstruction in gaza without first ensuring hamas complete demilitarization is not compassion. History shows that past us development spending in gaza since hamas has taken takeover has already exceeded hundreds of millions.
▶ 3:52:30And yet all it has produced is a terrorist army, not prosperity. You know, everything in critical infrastructure, which is what this 400 million is supposed to be for, is dual use. It's needed by a terrorist army, just like it's needed or used by civilians. So rebuilding without security guarantees of completely disarming hamas simply resets the battlefield for another october 7th.
▶ 3:52:55Israel, as the frontline democracy fighting radical islam has every right to exercise the sovereignty and security measures necessary to prevent gaza from remaining a perpetual threat. The ultimate path to stability lies in defeating hamas and ending its reign of terror, and ensuring that any future governance in gaza rejects the ideology of annihilation. Not pouring american dollars into a region still dominated by those who celebrate murder.
▶ 3:53:24Now, if gaza was sovereign israeli territory and all of hamas was either annihilated or disarmed and deported, never to return, you know, this could potentially be considered support for israel, perhaps to make gaza the gaza seashore into another mediterranean riviera. Then maybe I could support it, but only if gaza was under total israeli sovereignty. The flag of israel flew over all of gaza in peace.
▶ 3:53:50But at a time of record national debt and pressing needs here at home, from border security to military modernization against the chinese communist party, we cannot afford to subsidize the reconstruction of terrorist havens. Our focus must remain on supporting israel's right to defend itself, decisively cutting off funding to hamas and its iranian sponsors, and prioritizing american interests and the defeat of terrorism. I urge my colleagues to reject this amendment.
▶ 3:54:17Let us safeguard the american taxpayer dollar and ensure that it never supports terrorism. Thank you, and I yield. >> thank the gentleman for his remarks. Gentleman from wisconsin. Mr. pocan is recognized to address the amendment. >> thank you, Mr. chairman. >> and I want to thank. >> Mr. quigley for introducing both of these amendments. Um, the last amendment I knew was being taken back, so I chose not to talk about that. But I do want to talk about this in gaza in particular.
▶ 3:54:44Um, having just come back from south korea and we went to the dmz, we briefly walked literally steps into north korea. You know, clearly that's one of the most elusive and secretive places on the planet. But that's by their choice that we don't go and know much about north korea. In fact, ironically, the information they had about, um, the leaders children comes from, uh, not intelligence sources, but from dennis rodman, literally, we were told that while we were there.
▶ 3:55:13But gaza is just as elusive and secretive, not by their choice, but unfortunately, because of our negligence and bluntly, israel's, uh, they've literally looked the other way. It's been a open air prison for 2.3 million people for decades.
▶ 3:55:30And we just looked the other way and ignored what was happening where 95% of people didn't have drinkable water, uh, where people got food assistance and education through unwra and other organizations that we've all defunded now.
▶ 3:55:45And once this terrible thing happened on october 7th, the attack, the response showed the power differential that existed and the devastation of gaza, 81 to 83% of all structures are damaged or destroyed. 80% of schools, 84% of health centers, 90% of people are living in tents. Among the rubble.
▶ 3:56:13And we can just look the other way. I've I've been to the region three times. Twice. I've tried to get into gaza and been denied. But who was I denied by? It was the israeli government. That's the difference between north korea and gaza. And so at best, we've been indifferent. More accurately, we've been complicit.
▶ 3:56:35Um, but with what's happened right now, this is out of like a mad max episode, what it looks like on the ground. And if we can't find the ability to put some U.S. dollars to help rebuilding medical clinics or schools, what do you think is going to occur in that region? What do you think the response will be from the tens of thousands of people killed in that region? What do you think we'll be doing for decades and decades, spending money in that region?
▶ 3:57:07Or we can do the right thing, which is invest some of our dollars to help rebuild it. Now. Uh, and the cost, as Mr. quigley said, could be $70 billion. This is a small part of that. But I'll tell you, I for one, you know, and embarrassed that the united states hasn't done more, uh, when I was there the last time, uh, it wasn't just that I got turned down by israel, but I had the us government try to convince me not to go into gaza.
▶ 3:57:37Well, what would the reason be to not allow a member of congress to go into gaza, except not to see what was on the ground before the devastation, much less after the devastation? So we need to open up our eyes and be a little more honest about this. This isn't about making one group of people or another group of people happy. This is about what is happening on the planet.
▶ 3:58:01And if there is an area that maybe, if not the most in the top five biggest humanitarian concerns we have right now, it has to be this part of the world, specifically gaza and our indifference for decades complies us to do something. So I, I appreciate this amendment before us. I hope we can look at it from that perspective, not from a political perspective.
▶ 3:58:28I certainly have to disagree with our subcommittee chair, who said donald trump has made remarkable progress in gaza because I do not find rubble to be remarkable progress. Um, but I do think we can do something and we have to do something, and it's in our national interest to do something. So I support this amendment and I hope everyone will. I yield back. >> thank the gentleman, the gentleman from new york, Mr. is recognized to address the amendment.
▶ 3:58:59>> thank you, Mr. chairman. >> I rise in support of this amendment as the previous amendment presented, uh, by Mr. quigley. This is a common sense amendment.
▶ 3:59:12Um, previous amendment spoke about, uh, stopping the expansion of the settlements to give peace a chance and to give, uh, the two state solution and the creation of a palestinian state a real chance. So there could be peace in the region. And I support this amendment because the the destruction has been staggering.
▶ 3:59:42Everybody in this room understands the level of destruction in the gaza strip. And our shared responsibility as global leaders, uh, to help with the reconstruction of the strip for families, for neighborhoods, for schools and health center, not for casinos.
▶ 4:00:12Not for a vegas type atmosphere, but for families. And so, according to the united nations analysis, the civilian infrastructure damage to the gaza strip eclipses $70 billion. So the gentleman's proposal is just the beginning. No less than $400 million.
▶ 4:00:35And so this is just the beginning of a road back to stability and peace, and a credible estimates suggest that 80% of the structures in the strip have been leveled. But I am sure that once a deep analysis of the situation is done, it could be even higher than that.
▶ 4:01:05Structures. Uh, the integrity of the structure is not really evaluated, uh, in a safe way until engineers and others get in there and look at, at, at the, the damage that has occurred. Similarly, almost all the health care facilities and road networks and education related structures are also compromised and non-serviceable. So this is devastation.
▶ 4:01:34And we have a responsibility, uh, to go and assist in the rebuilding of the area in bringing robust humanitarian aid for children and families that are disproportionately, uh, victims in hurt in this horrible war. So I rise in support of this amendment.
▶ 4:02:00And I hope that, uh, my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, uh, folks that support israel, like myself and others could come together for this, uh, important humanitarian effort. Uh, history has its eyes on us. We must do better. This is important work, humanitarian work, particularly for children and families.
▶ 4:02:29And we must rebuild gaza again, not for a casino, not for, you know, a resort for the rich and famous to go and party, but for families that need the help that they deserve to have. I yield back. >> thank the gentleman for his comments. The gentlelady from pennsylvania is recognized to address the amendment. >> I thank you, Mr. chairman.
▶ 4:02:58I too rise in support of Mr. quigley's amendment, which appropriates $400 million for the reconstruction of civilian infrastructure in gaza. Ladies and gentlemen, you all know it. Even though the prime minister won't allow journalists or congressmen and congresswomen into gaza because he doesn't want us to see gaza is in rubble. The scale of the destruction is staggering.
▶ 4:03:25More than half of the population has lost their homes. 1.9 million people have been displaced, and often more than one time. That's not even to discuss the horrendous numbers. More than 70,000 are dead, 170,000 or more are injured. And that doesn't even begin to tell you how many thousands are buried in the rubble.
▶ 4:03:50As families continue to dig and sift through the rubble to find the remains of their loved ones. A recent assessment conducted by the european union and the world bank, estimates the cost of reconstruction to be more than $70 billion, with more than 20 billion needed in the next 18 months. President trump said that the U.S. will contribute 10 billion to the board to the board of peace, though it's unclear where that money will come from.
▶ 4:04:20And during the february trip that we talked about, we actually met as what's called the cmc, c, and he called it the the garage of peace or the the warehouse of peace. It was terrific to see U.S. military and 27 other nations militaries and nonprofits there working in coordination to desperately move in hundreds of trucks a day into gaza.
▶ 4:04:46That was february, and they had reported some progress and a greater number of trucks getting in, although many were too many were blocked. That was february. And you know that the war in iran has now interrupted that flow and interrupted that work and interrupted that saving or removal of the debris and the chance to rebuild. It's all been interrupted. And I find it puzzling because I've been to israel multiple times.
▶ 4:05:15I love to go there. I love the people, the culture, the history, the religions that are that are born there. My own, in fact, is born there. I'd love to retrace that. But the multiple times I've been there one time sat five weeks after the horror of october the 7th, at a table this size with Mr. netanyahu. Five weeks after that horror. That is indescribable.
▶ 4:05:39And he said to us, as did his then defense secretary, he said, regardless of what has happened, the israeli military is so superior. The israeli intelligence is so superior that even in the difficult place like gaza, we will be able to micro target where we can find hamas. Even in that difficult place.
▶ 4:06:05And look at hamas now, as I say, we really don't get a good look at it, but it is estimated 7,080% of this place is in rubble. The us has an obligation to contribute to gaza's reconstruction. Congress has an obligation to appropriate accordingly, not just the safer our humanity, but for the sake of our future security. And. A two state solution is essential for a peaceful, stable, secure middle east.
▶ 4:06:34Again, when I was there in february, the mission was so clear to try to help gaza and the palestinians rebuild, refined their lives, rebuild their houses and their schools, try to give the children some sense of normalcy, of a chance to play, to go to school, to hope for the future. How do you do that? In years of rubble and torture and torment?
▶ 4:07:02The united states has a responsibility to be a leader in this place and to make sure that gaza is rebuilt and we don't don't get distracted by a war in iran. Remember, this was the president who was going to bring us peace. He's brought us nothing but violence and rubble. I support the amendment. >> I thank the gentlelady. Are there others wishing to make remarks on amendment.
▶ 4:07:32Gentlelady from ohio is recognized. >> thank you, Mr. chairman, very much. And I would like to say to congressman quigley that your amendment is very well intentioned and deserves consideration. But there's something I don't understand, and that is is it your intention to allow these funds to be expended once a peace agreement has been negotiated between whatever is defined as the legitimate leadership of the palestinian authority and
▶ 4:08:03Israel? And the reason that I want to ask this question is because I had the privilege of serving president jimmy carter when he negotiated the last peace agreement that really held in that part of the world. He dedicated himself to that activity for months and months and months with the best advisors in the world to date. That agreement between egypt and israel has held, and there are reasons that it held. But two years after that agreement was signed and I was present for it. Signing.
▶ 4:08:33I will never, ever, ever forget that moment in history. Uh, anwar sadat was assassinated. And inside of israel, rabin, uh, and I remember rabin's quote. Why did he support that agreement? Because he decided life was better than death. It was a very interesting comment that he made in a very consequential one.
▶ 4:08:58But I guess my real question is, one could put the funds out there, but unless you have legitimate negotiators on both sides, so much of what you work for collapses.
▶ 4:09:10I have represented in my gerrymandered career, um, part of cleveland, ohio, and the mandel school of social work and very generous people in cleveland helped hospitals to exist, uh, in the west bank and to bring people over to israel for cures, especially children.
▶ 4:09:31I've witnessed the generosity of the american people, but so much of what they did is all gone because of the war, because of this fighting and fighting and fighting. So I know you have to have a stable agreement for anything to hold. And I'm wondering if your amendment, if you could explain to me, does it do that? Does it anticipate negotiators on both sides? Because, quite frankly, I find very troubling what israel is doing in the west bank.
▶ 4:09:58Excuse me, in, um, uh, in the west bank, uh, very troubling. And in the palestinian authority, as I've talked to some individuals, even in our own country, and I say to them, what is the boundary? What, what is it we're negotiating here? And their answer is from the river to the sea. So I see intransigence on both sides.
▶ 4:10:21And I'm just asking, where will these funds be put in anticipation of a peace agreement? What do you expect? Is the. Stable agreement that we would have to enforce? Would you. >> gentlemen, ladies and gentlemen. >> if she is, then I we're in the same position with the board of peace right now.
▶ 4:10:45When my colleague across the aisle suggested that by doing things like rebuilding electrical and water and schools, which I would argue is humanitarian, the board of peace is talking about $1 billion of humanitarian aid. And there's nothing condition in there, at least not yet. The point being, humanitarian aid is necessary now.
▶ 4:11:10So if if the implication is I'm helping hamas by rebuilding electrical in support of this and sanitation and fresh water and schools. Well, I'm doing in arguably the same thing that the board of peace is doing with absolutely no guarantees. It is.
▶ 4:11:30We'd love to have that understanding, but to tell the people who are starving, who don't have water, who have disease, who aren't getting proper medical attention, we're going to wait till everything is resolved and we have a peace treaty that we know is going to be secure. I don't think those in the board of peace, they certainly haven't said it publicly. So someone help me differentiate what trump is doing under the board of peace versus what we're trying to do here.
▶ 4:11:59We're trying to help people who are starving, who are not getting medical aid, that aren't getting fresh water. So, you know, my understanding is they haven't come to that conclusion. We would love that to take place, but we can't wait until the destruction and devastation goes on for these people to have all that resolved. Love to see it happen.
▶ 4:12:23But for me to say, we're not going to do anything until we have a surefire peace for all time is unrealistic. And I don't think the board of peace people feel that way. >> I thank the gentleman. >> are there any others wishing to address the amendment? Seeing none, the gentleman is recognized for one minute to close. >> thank you, Mr. chairman.
▶ 4:12:52Um, I'm not naive. I have been in israel five times. I have walked through the streets of gaza without any security. And I've seen on both sides the devastation, the loss of hope, uh, that the people of gaza live through on a day to day basis.
▶ 4:13:16I've also seen the extraordinarily cynical use of civilians by hamas and the reign of terror that they bring about. Putting all that aside for a second, we can't forget the devastation and the need to help again, because it's the right thing to do, and it's the smart thing to do. That instability just is a recruiting tool for the next generation. Hamas. Don't think of hamas as a military. Think of it as a movement.
▶ 4:13:46And the manner in which israel has conducted its activities in gaza is the extraordinarily best recruiting tool for hamas to continue to recruit. We can work against that tactically, strategically being smart, but it's also the right thing to do. I encourage your support. >> thank you.
▶ 4:14:06Gentlemen, just quickly before I move on, we will, if we move into vote, which I suspect we will, we will recess immediately so that you have time to go to the chamber. Then we'll resume the debate as soon as it's over. We do advise you there's a chance that votes may be called shortly after the king's address to the congress. We don't know that yet, but it's one of the possibilities.
▶ 4:14:29So just please keep an eye on your devices and keep in touch with your staff, because you may, rather than come back here, if we move quickly into votes for some reason, have to stay there. I don't want to drag you back and send you right back. So just ask you to stay alert with that. The questions now on the amendment offered by the gentleman from illinois. All those in favor say aye. All opposed? Say no. No. The opinion of the chair of the nos have it roll call has been requested.
▶ 4:14:57Sufficient support for that. The clerk will call the roles. But again, once you vote, if you want to leave, feel free to leave because we will end immediately after the vote. Uh, clerk will call the roll. >> Mr. aderholt, Mr. aderholt. No. Mr. aguilar, Mr. aguilar, I, Mr. alford, Mr. hamadeh, Mr. amodei. No. Mrs. bice, Mr. bishop. Yes. Mr. bishop, I Mr. calvert, Mr. calvert. No. Mr. carter. Mr. carter. No. Mr.
▶ 4:15:29Case. Mr. case I, Mr. cisco. Mr. cisco. No. Mr. kline, Mr. kline. No. Mr. cloud. Mr. cloud. No. Mr. clyburn, Mr. clyburn I. Mr. clyde. Mr. clyde. No. Mr. cole. No. Mr. cole. No. Mr. cuellar. Miss. Dean, miss dean, I miss. Delauro, miss delauro, I Mr. diaz-balart. No. Mr. diaz-balart. No. Mr. edwards, Mr. edwards. No. Mr. lee, Mr.
▶ 4:16:00Lee. No. Miss. Escobar, miss. Escobar, I. Mr. espaillat, Mr. espaillat, I. Mr. fleischmann, Mr. fleischmann. No. Miss. Frankel, miss. Frankel, I. Mr. franklin, Mr. franklin. No. Mr. guest, Mr. guest. No. Mr. carter. Mr. carter. I. Doctor. Harris. Doctor. Harris. No. Mrs. henson. Mrs. henson. No. Mr. hoyer, Mr. hoyer I Mr. iv, Mr. iv, I Mr. joyce, Mr. joyce.
▶ 4:16:31No. Miss kaptur, miss kaptur, I. Mr. lalota. Mr. lalota. No. Miss lee, miss lee, I miss. Letlow. Mr. levin, Mr. levin, I miss. Molloy, miss. Molloy. No. Miss mccollum, miss mccollum. I miss ming, miss ming I, Mr. molinari, Mr. molenaar. No. Mr. moore, Mr. moore. No. Mr. morelli, Mr. morelli I. Mr. van, Mr. newhouse, Mr. newhouse. No.
▶ 4:17:02Miss. Perez, miss. Perez, I miss. Pingry, miss pingry I Mr. pocan, Mr. pocan, I Mr. quigley, Mr. quigley I Mr. reschenthaler. Mr. rogers, Mr. rogers. No. Mr. rutherford. Mr. rutherford. No. Mr. shreeve, Mr. shreeve. No. Mr. simpson. Mr. simpson. No. Mr. strong, Mr. strong. No. Mrs. torres.
▶ 4:17:27Miss underwood, miss underwood, I. Mr. valadao, Mr. valadao. No. Miss wasserman. Schultz. Mrs. watson. Coleman. Yes. Mrs. watson. Coleman. I. Mr. womack, Mr. womack. No. Mr. zink, Mr. zink. No. I'm sorry, I didn't see you. >> okay. >> miss wasserman schultz votes. >> I thank you very much.
▶ 4:17:57Are there any members wishing to vote or change or vote? Gentlelady from oklahoma? >> no. Mrs. vise votes, no vice. >> are there others wishing to vote or change their vote? Seeing none, the clerk will tally.
▶ 4:18:42>> you really want to know? Exactly. >> okay. On this vote, the yeas are 25. The nos are 32. The amendment is not agreed to. The committee will now stand in recess. We'll reconvene at the conclusion of the joint session. >> chairman.
▶ 6:04:10Back to order. The gentlelady from new york, miss ming, is recognized for purpose of an amendment. >> thank you, Mr. chairman. I have an amendment at the desk. I would like to request to dispense with the reading. >> without objection, the reading of the amendment is dispensed with, and the gentlelady is recognized for remarks on her amendment. >> Mr. chairman, over the past year, this administration has wreaked havoc on the women and girls of the world.
▶ 6:04:37It eliminated the state department's office of global women's issues, illegally refused to spend life saving international family planning. Money provided by congress tried to burn $10 million worth of birth control, only to let most of it expire and cut off an estimated 3 million women and girls in humanitarian crises, from access to programs that prevent and respond to gender based violence.
▶ 6:05:05This bill, as written, would double down on that destruction by slashing funding for international family planning and reproductive health programs, which save the lives of an estimated 34,000 moms per year. It would also ban funding to the un population fund, which is a lifeline for women around the world who are fighting for equality, starting families and seeking safety in conflict zones.
▶ 6:05:32It would also entrench the administration's new expanded global gag rule. Historically, republican administrations apply this policy to a narrow slice of foreign aid. But this administration's new policy weaponizes all nonmilitary foreign assistance almost $40 billion, spanning 160 countries and even multilateral organizations. This policy is unprecedented. Scope is dwarfed only by its cruelty.
▶ 6:06:02It bans organizations, even american organizations, from receiving U.S. funding if they even provide information about abortion. Even in countries where abortion is legal. In practice, this means more women and girls will die because they are not able to access the services they need. Adding to the preventable death toll caused by this administration's destruction of usaid and cuts to life saving aid programs.
▶ 6:06:30I would like to remind my colleagues, for over 50 years, it has been illegal for funds from this bill to be used for abortion. My amendment is simple it would restore bilateral family planning funding to the enacted level congress agreed to only a few months ago. It would replace section 705 seven's radical attacks on women's health, with the language enacted in law, including repealing the ban on unfpa funding.
▶ 6:07:00Lastly, it would also prohibit any funding from being used to implement, administer or enforce one of the new rules that comprises the new expanded global gag rule policy, which violates the first amendment rights of american organizations, applies to all foreign aid, not just family planning assistance, and will export this administration's extreme right wing social ideology worldwide. I ask that you support this amendment. Thank you, and I yield back.
▶ 6:07:32>> thank the gentlelady for her remarks. The gentleman from florida, Mr. diaz-balart, is recognized to respond to the amendment. >> Mr. chairman, thank you so much. I rise in opposition to this amendment. This amendment strikes, as you heard, language that would prohibit any funds used in contravention of the rule published in the federal registry in january 27th, 2026, entitled, quote, protecting life in foreign assistance and the quote and strikes the funding cap for family planning programs in the bill.
▶ 6:08:01The amendment also strikes the prohibition on funds to the un f a this organization is an unaccountable bureaucracy that has a track record of funding controversial programs, to say the least, that do not align with core american values and which actively undermines U.S. interests. The amendment also would tie the hands of the administration and implementing the protection. The protecting life in foreign assistance rule.
▶ 6:08:30I think it's our duty to strengthen, not weaken, pro-life protections in our bill. Uh, you've heard me say this time and time again, um, and I'll say it again, but U.S. us foreign assistance dollars must be used for bipartisan priorities that strengthen our national security. It's pretty clear that americans have not and do not support using foreign assistance to fund abortions or other controversial programs overseas, and this bill reflects that.
▶ 6:08:59So I respectfully urge a no vote on the amendment. And with that, Mr. chairman, I will yield back. >> thank the gentleman for his remarks. The gentlelady from florida, miss frankel, is recognized to address the amendment. >> thank you, Mr. chair. My my my. Now, you really got me going, because I am really. I go for it. You can say it with me because. Here we go again.
▶ 6:09:24Once more we're forced to defend the health, dignity, and basic rights of women and girls from political ideology. That has no place in this bill. Bill. Instead of strengthening life saving care, this bill plays politics, women's and girls health, putting their futures at risk in the process. And I want to be clear because thank you, grace meng, for this amendment, because it's not about using taxpayer dollars to pay for abortion. That's already prohibited under a very archaic law. And nothing in the amendment changes that.
▶ 6:09:54What this amendment does is to stop politicians from censoring doctors, shutting down clinics from cutting off basic life saving care. Uh, because women, not politicians in washington, decide whether or not they should grow, uh, or start a family. And I want to tell you what's going on in this world. Everybody. It's an abomination. What's happening to women in conflicts? I'm going to give you some examples.
▶ 6:10:21In the democratic republic of congo. All right. Study suggests hundreds of thousands of women have been raped over the decades. The study estimates 48 per hour at peak periods in tigray reports that tens of thousands of women and girls are raped, and many of them involve gang rape and extreme brutality in russia.
▶ 6:10:45Invasion of ukraine, ukraine thousands of cases are reported in investigated through actual numbers and much higher. What's happening to women in these conflicts? In most cases, not all the men are going into war. The women are left with the children. They are brutalized. They are left without money. They are left without support. And then comes along this bill that takes away support from the women of the world.
▶ 6:11:15And look, if you know anything about, uh, raising children, I'm going to say this as a mother and a grandmother, and we're all here. Most of us are parents or no parents. And you know how important a parent is for the upbringing of their children. And so you have conflicts where the fathers are away and the women are being brutalized.
▶ 6:11:34So thank you for this amendment because let me tell you something, folks, when you strip women of the control, you are not just harming their health, you are undermining their ability to care for their families, to be mothers, the mothers they want to be and, and guide and support their children towards a better future. Uh, and this bill doesn't stop at existing law. It slashes funding for family planning programs that prevent unintended pregnancies.
▶ 6:12:03It reduces that, reduce maternal death, and give a woman a chance of stability. It zeroes out funding for the united nations population fund, a global lifeline providing maternal care and protecting women from violence and more than 150 countries. It expands the global gag rule, a policy so extreme that it blocks providers from even talking to patients about their full range of options.
▶ 6:12:27And, uh, it dictates what organizations can do with what they can do with their own non-U.S. funds. Uh, and let's call this what it is. It's not fiscal responsibility, it's not health policy. And the consequences are devastating at this very moment. This bill strips away humanitarian aid that keeps families alive. It also blocks access to reproductive care. The result?
▶ 6:12:54Women and girls in impoverished countries and conflict zones and conflict zones, many of them survivors of rape used as a weapon of war, are are forced to carry pregnancies against their will, forced to give birth in a crisis, without care, without choice, without dignity. And then this same budget with $1 billion cuts humanitarian care, abandons the children. It cuts the food. It cuts the medicine, the vaccines that keep babies alive.
▶ 6:13:19So let's be clear, forced birth followed by neglect that is not pro-life, that is policy induced suffering. And we are already seeing the consequences. Uh, clinics closing, cut off access to contraception, leaving millions of women without care. And I could go on and on. 1400 clinics have already been shut down, and 9 million people have lost access to services.
▶ 6:13:44Health care workers are reporting they're reporting rising cases of hemorrhage, infection, unsafe abortions, and preventable death. And this is a cycle. This bill is more intended pregnancies, more disease, more instability, more poverty. And think what this means. I'm going to say this again. We are forcing women and girls into pregnancies they are not ready for, and then turning our backs as their babies suffer and die from hunger and preventable disease. How wrong.
▶ 6:14:15It's just an abomination. And I'm going to say it again, I do as I do every year. Women deserve to control their own bodies. No one should be forced into an unwanted pregnancy. Women deserve information, freedom and dignity. They deserve support, not sabotage. From the united states of america. I urge my colleagues to support this very good amendment, and I yield back. >> thank you, gentle lady, for her remarks. The gentlelady from connecticut, miss dolores, recognized to address the amendment.
▶ 6:14:45>> thank you, Mr. chairman. I rise in support of this amendment and thank the gentlelady from new york for introducing it in 2003, unfpa launched the campaign to end fistula, which is active in more than 55 countries. For many in this room, you may be asking what is obstetric fistula and why have you never heard?
▶ 6:15:12You have not because despite being one of the most serious childbirth injuries, it has been effectively eliminated in the united states. Obstetric fistula still impacts more than 500,000 women each year. What happens to these women without access to timely, high quality treatment or emergency treatment?
▶ 6:15:42A prolonged obstructed labor results in either death or severe injury for the mother. And as tragically, nearly universally fatal for the baby, 90% of women and these are women, mostly women who are overseas, who develop obstetric fistula, deliver a stillborn baby. The worst thing?
▶ 6:16:09It is entirely preventable for the women and girls who survive has developed a hole between the birth canal and the bladder and or rectum forms, leading them, leaking urine, feces, or both.
▶ 6:16:27As a result, these women suffer painful ulcers, constant incontinence in addition to shame and social segregation, unfpa's clean delivery kit provides the essential hygiene items in this package.
▶ 6:16:52The essential hygiene items for individual safe deliveries in low resource settings, in emergencies or during travel to a facility that ensure a clean delivery. This is provided by unfpa. The label is here. What is included in here?
▶ 6:17:16Two medical gloves for clean baby delivering hands. A large medical sheet for a clean childbirth delivery service. Oftentimes the women go in or on a stone slab, so you have a delivery surface that they can lie on.
▶ 6:17:41Their sterile scissors for umbilical cord cutting, sterile twine for umbilical cord tying soap, and sterile gauze for umbilical cord care. There is also a blanket. It is a blanket to keep the baby warm, and instructions on warning signs of a dangerous delivery.
▶ 6:18:12My friends, the cost of each kit that could save a woman's life, her health and her child. What is that cost? $7.88. $7.88. To help prevent a woman from dying or delivering a stillborn baby and having to live her
▶ 6:18:45Life with obstetric fistula. When this bill prohibits unfpa because you do not support family planning services, you cut off the efforts. You cut off the $7.88 for this kit that keeps mothers and children alive.
▶ 6:19:09May 23rd is the international day to end obstetric fistula, and this year's theme is her health her right shaping a future without fistula. Tragically, this bill fails to help build a future without fistula.
▶ 6:19:29And again, this is, according to johns hopkins, almost 500,000 women between the ages of 15 and 64 are living with obstetric fistula, and the majority in the 1900s, the united states, to eradicate fistula.
▶ 6:19:51These are mostly women and girls, 15 year old girls who in some instances are forced to deliver a child. That's who is being hurt here and there. Women in other countries, if anything, by prohibiting U.S.
▶ 6:20:16Funding to unfpa, we are condemning more women and girls to serious and tragic childbirth injuries that we as a country, again eradicated in the 1900s. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment to help women and girls globally, and I yield back. >> thank the gentlelady for comments. Are there others wishing to address the amendment?
▶ 6:20:44Seeing none, the gentlelady is recognized for one minute to close. >> I know this administration wants more american exports but radical anti abortion anti human rights policies should not make the cut.
▶ 6:21:00Instead of endorsing extreme culture war agendas, my amendment would simply restore enacted law, providing long standing support for family planning programs, striking the ban on funds to unfpa, and prohibiting funds from this or any prior bill from supporting this administration's ill conceived, expanded global gag rule. Thank you. And I urge a yes vote on this amendment.
▶ 6:21:29>> thank you, gentlelady, for comments. The question is now on the amendment offered by the gentlelady from new york. All those in favor say aye. All those opposed say no. No. Well, in the opinion of the chair of the nos. Have it. But I anticipate that and recognize sufficient support has been demonstrated. Clerk will call the roll. >> Mr. aderholt. Mr. aderholt. No, Mr. aguilar, Mr. aguilar, I Mr. alford, Mr. alford. No. Mr. amodei, Mr. amodei. No. Mrs.
▶ 6:22:02Bice. Mrs. bice. No. Mr. bishop, Mr. bishop, I. Mr. calvert, Mr. calvert. No. Mr. carter, Mr. carter. No. Mr. case. Mr. cisco. Mr. cisco. No. Mr. klein. Mr. cloud, Mr. clyburn, Mr. clyburn. I. Mr. clyde. Mr. clyde. No. Mr. cole. No. Mr. cole. No. Mr. cuellar, miss. Dean, miss dean.
▶ 6:22:35I miss. Delauro, miss. Delauro, I Mr. diaz-balart. No. Mr. no. , Mr. edwards. No. Mr. espaillat, Mr. fleishman, Mr. fleishman. No. Miss. Frankel, miss frankel, I. Mr. franklin, Mr. franklin. No. Mr. guest, Mr. carter, Mr. carter, I. Doctor. Harris. Doctor. Harris. No. Mrs. henson.
▶ 6:23:07Mr. hoyer, Mr. hoyer, I Mr. iv, Mr. iv I Mr. joyce. Mr. joyce. No. Miss. Kaptur. Mr. lalota. Mr. lalota. No. Miss lee, miss lee, I miss. Letlow, Mr. levin, Mr. levin, I miss. Molloy, miss molloy. No. Miss mccollum, miss mccollum, I miss ming, miss ming, I, Mr. mulliner, Mr.
▶ 6:23:40Mulliner. No. Mr. moore, Mr. moore. No. Mr. morelli, Mr. morelli, I. Mr. moran, Mr. newhouse, Mr. newhouse. No. Miss. Perez, miss. Pingree. Mr. pocan, Mr. pocan. I. Mr. quigley. Mr. quigley I. Mr. rosenthaler. Mr. rogers, Mr. rogers. No. Mr. rutherford. Mr. rutherford. No. Mr. shreve, Mr.
▶ 6:24:12Shreve. No. Mr. simpson. Mr. simpson. No. Mr. strong, Mr. strong. No. Mrs. torres. Mrs. torres, I miss. Underwood, miss underwood, I. Mr. valadao, Mr. valadao. No. Miss. Wasserman. Schultz, miss. Wasserman. Schultz. I. Mrs. watson. Coleman, Mrs. watson. Coleman. I. Mr. womack, Mr. womack. No. Mr. zink, Mr. zink. No.
▶ 6:24:47>> are there any members wishing to vote or change their vote? Gentleman from virginia. >> Mr. kline votes no. >> gentleman from mississippi. >> Mr. guest, no. >> gentlelady from ohio. >> miss kaptur, a. >> gentleman from hawaii. >> Mr. case, I. >> a gentleman from new york. >> Mr. espaillat, I.
▶ 6:25:15>> are there any other members wishing to vote or change their vote? Seeing none, the clerk will tally.
▶ 6:25:57On this vote. The ayes are 24. The nos are 31. The amendment is not adopted. The gentleman from wisconsin, Mr. pocan, is recognized for an amendment. >> thank you, Mr. chairman. I have an amendment at the desk, and I ask that it be considered. >> read without objection. The reading of the amendment is dispensed with, and the gentleman is recognized for remarks on his amendment. >> thank you, Mr. chairman.
▶ 6:26:21So this amendment would simply have gao do a study on whether or not there are the number of deaths that have occurred because of the dismantling of usaid, the stopping work discontinuation, shuttering of the department. But this should be of interest to anyone, because part of our job is oversight, and we want to know the dollars are spent wisely. This is something that we didn't make the decision.
▶ 6:26:47This is something the administration made the decision to do after we funded it over and over again through the appropriations process. Usaid has been the leading agency that's provided humanitarian assistance from the united states for over 20 years. It's estimated they've saved 91 million lives because of our funding, our generosity, our goodness as a nation.
▶ 6:27:11Yet it's been less than 1% of the federal budget, generally 0.3 to 0.7% in any given year. In 2024, the us funded about 47% about half of all global humanitarian aid, making it the largest provider of humanitarian assistance on the planet.
▶ 6:27:30China has been coming into more and more countries doing assistance, but in july 2025, at that point, 80% of usaid operations were terminated and what was left was merged into the state department. Roughly 5200 contracts were just canceled. Not by us. That article one of the constitution gives the power of the purse to. But by the executive branch. And another 1000 were transferred to the department of state.
▶ 6:27:59Oxfam estimates that that effect will be 23 million children losing access to education, 95 million people losing access to basic health care, and millions of preventable deaths every year. Now, secretary marco rubio, back in may of last year, said no one had died because of cuts to usaid. He said no children are dying on his watch.
▶ 6:28:19Well, a lot of groups have said just the opposite by studies, respected organizations, boston university, uh, an epidemic epidemiologist, estimated in november that the usaid cuts had already caused about 600,000 unnecessary deaths. The center for global development estimates that the number of lives lost just in the first year would be upwards of a million, and that annually after that, 670,000 to 1.6 million people.
▶ 6:28:49The ucla study in july of 25 estimated that their dismantling will lead to up to 14 million deaths by 2030, including 4.5 million deaths among children under five. Um, because of these cuts in lancet study back in february of this year, uh said that it would estimate 9.4 million deaths, additional deaths by 2030.
▶ 6:29:16So all these groups that do this work have said the actions of dismantling usaid. Not only does that help us around the world on every other front, uh, it's diplomacy, soft power, uh, a lot of other fronts. Uh, they're saying that this is having a huge impact, but why are they saying it? Well, look at what's happening. Uh, the world food program cuts in yemen.
▶ 6:29:41They're estimating 2.4 million people have stopped, uh, getting their food assistance, nutritional care for 100 000 children. The world food program's operation in kenya abruptly cut off that their rations now are less than 600 calories per day. Uh, to the folks that are there, the 308,000 refugees with almost nothing to eat.
▶ 6:30:03The food program cuts in malawi, uh, a sharp increase in criminality, sexual violence, and instances of human trafficking within a large refugee camp. Uh, because of what's happening. And, uh, hiv medications have been delayed, uh, anti-malaria medications in over 40 countries.
▶ 6:30:23In fact, just yesterday's new york times shows in zambia, uh, that aids their headline aids creeps back in parts of zambia year after us cuts to hiv assistance. So we should all care. And if you think that we don't need to spend that money, you also should want this study. Because if it proves that there aren't deaths, then quite honestly, russ vote made a wise decision. I don't think that sentence will ever be uttered.
▶ 6:30:49Uh, in reality that he made a wise decision, but he shouldn't be. It's up to congress to make those decisions, but we should know either way. So this would simply get a gao study to know the actual impact of what happened when we did usaid cuts. And if it is millions of people around the world who are dying, it may be something that we, congress, should exert our authority in. And I hope you'll support this amendment. And I yield back. Mr. chairman. >> thank the gentleman for his comments.
▶ 6:31:19The gentleman from florida, Mr. diaz-balart, is recognized to address the amendment. >> thank you, Mr. chairman. I rise in opposition to this amendment. I was a very young guy when, uh, ronald reagan was president. Uh, but I remember jeane kirkpatrick talking about the blame america first crowd. You know, that crowd that always blames america for all the ills in the entire world? Uh, let's be very clear. The united states is and will continue to be the largest contributor of foreign assistance in the planet.
▶ 6:31:48No one comes close. But we also have to be conscious of the fact that our national debt is a very real issue. It's a real threat to our future, our children's future. So we're long overdue in evaluating and reevaluating our foreign assistance, what we're doing in areas where where we should be spending money, we're spending money, but we're just not going to do this blindly.
▶ 6:32:15Foreign assistance should not be treated as an entitlement. And, uh, so you heard about, oh my gosh, the horrible things that the united states is doing in yemen and kenya and malawi. Uh, did you hear any criticism of what portugal is maybe doing or not doing in yemen or spain or anybody else? It's the united states's fault, always.
▶ 6:32:40The united states continues and will continue to be the most generous country in the world. And this concept that when you know, all of the ills of the world are our responsibility, is something that I just respectfully don't buy. It's about time this congress and we passed our bill in fiscal 26, where we looked at foreign assistance, where we should be spending and where we shouldn't be spending.
▶ 6:33:09And again, we're going back to the blame america first crowd. I keep hearing of all these evil things that the united states is doing, but I yet I've yet to hear criticism of what china is doing, what western europe is doing, what eastern europe is doing, what the rest of the world is doing, their money, their funding of foreign aid doesn't come close to what we are doing, but I am glad that we are now doing it more effectively, more efficiently, and yes, saving
▶ 6:33:39Taxpayer money. So for those reasons and many others, I respectfully urge a no vote on this amendment. I yield back, Mr. chairman. >> thank the gentleman for his remarks. Gentlelady from florida, miss frankel is recognized to address the amendment. >> yeah. Thank you, Mr. chairman. I rise in support of representative hogan's amendment that would require a report on the number of deaths caused by the trump administration's reckless, callous and illegal dismantling of usaid. And let me just say that we are debating our budget.
▶ 6:34:10I don't know if I was in china. Maybe I'd debate that budget, too. But I'm debating this budget. And it's very interesting because we just came from, uh, the chamber where we heard from the king of england who got multiple standing ovations because he told us how the united states, how we lead not only in our what we say, but we should lead in our actions. And everybody stood up and applauded.
▶ 6:34:38And I applaud to all the acts of kindness, uh, that we do around the world. And it's not it's not just because we're doing charity, folks. Uh. When we keep children from starving, when we keep women from dying of, uh, of illnesses, uh, from rape, uh, when we stop disease from spreading and we keep and we're keeping the world helping to keep the world more stable, that means we're less likely to
▶ 6:35:11Have our men and women going into war. And to me, when you look at it, uh, Mr. pocan, thank you for your amendment, because we are spending billions and billions and billions of dollars on war. This is the united states of. We even changed our defense, not the. It's not the secretary of defense. He's now the secretary of war. And all those billion dollars that supposedly we can't afford because we have a deficit. They're being cut.
▶ 6:35:42They're being cut from efforts that would prevent war. And for that reason, I do think it is very wise. Amendment, and I am very grateful to support your amendment. We need a full accounting of the chaos and destruction caused by the administration's decisions to destroy U.S. aid, and I yield back. >> thank you, lady, for comments.
▶ 6:36:09Are there other members wishing to address the issue? Gentleman from maryland is recognized. >> I just want to make an observation. And that is blaming the trump administration for policies which have been harmful, hurtful and consequential in a very negative way. Is, my dear friend not blaming america? And to conflate the two?
▶ 6:36:35Uh, where your side blamed biden. For a lot of missteps, blamed obama for missteps, blamed clinton for missteps.
▶ 6:36:53Was not blaming america any more than our calling attention to the failures, particularly of doge, which is going to go down as one of the most -90 days, perhaps in america, which is what it was essentially, uh, is not blaming america.
▶ 6:37:17My view is america deserves better than it's getting. But having said that, I do not conflate the two. Trump and america. >> I thank the gentleman for his comments. Are there other members wishing to address the amendment? Seeing none, the gentlelady. Excuse me. The gentleman is recognized for one minute to close. >> thank you, Mr. chairman.
▶ 6:37:48Well, I think the subcommittee chair's comments seem to me a little bit to be internalized guilt. Um, because he's talking about ronald reagan. Well, let me tell you about ronald reagan. You can do this real easy on chatgpt. Did reagan cut usaid? No, president reagan did not cut or dismantle usaid, but rather strengthened it as a tool of american foreign policy. I didn't wrote that. I didn't write that. That was ai.
▶ 6:38:13But then they go on to say reagan utilized usaid to enhance agricultural and humanitarian efforts, creating early warning systems. Unlike 2025 cuts, which are discussed on a couple publications, reagan's era saw a or sometimes increased focus on certain usaid programs. So, look, this is about whether or not we want to, as the greatest country on the planet, a democracy, make sure other countries see what democracies do.
▶ 6:38:42And that is by providing that assistance to those countries, it is much cheaper than the billion or 2 billion a day we're spending right now in iran. But if you think usaid wasn't needed, let's do this study, and then you've got actual provable information that you can show us. So it's easy. It should be a win win for all of us. I hope we'll support this amendment and I yield back. >> I thank the gentleman for his comments.
▶ 6:39:11The questions now on the amendment offered by the gentleman from wisconsin. All those in favor say aye. >> aye, aye. >> all opposed? Say no. >> no. >> the chair the nos have it roll call has been requested. Sufficient support has been demonstrated. The clerk will call the roll. >> Mr. aderholt. Mr. aderholt. No, Mr. aguilar, Mr. aguilar, I, Mr. alford, Mr. alford. No. Mr. amodei, Mr. amodei. No. Mrs. bice. Mrs. bice. No. Mr. bishop.
▶ 6:39:44Mr. calvert, Mr. calvert. No. Mr. carter. Mr. case. Mr. case I, Mr. eskamani, Mr. kline, Mr. kline. No. Mr. cloud, Mr. clyburn, Mr. clyburn I. Mr. clyde. Mr. clyde. No. Mr. cole. No. Mr. cole. No. Mr. cuellar, Mr. cuellar I miss dean, miss dean, I miss. Delauro, miss.
▶ 6:40:15Delauro, I. Mr. diaz-balart, Mr. diaz-balart. No. Mr. edwards, Mr. edwards. No. Mr. ellzey. Mr. ellzey. No. Miss. Escobar, Mr. escobar I Mr. espaillat, Mr. espaillat I. Mr. fleischmann, Mr. fleischmann. No. Miss frankel, I miss. Frankel, I Mr. franklin, Mr. franklin. No. Mr. guest, Mr. guest. No. Mr. harter, Mr. harter, I. Doctor. Harris. Doctor. Harris. No. Mrs. henson.
▶ 6:40:46Mr. >> hoyer. I. >> Mr. hoyer I Mr. iv, Mr. iv I Mr. joyce, Mr. joyce. No. Miss kaptur marcy kaptur I Mr. nick lalota. Mr. lalota. No. Miss lee, miss lee I miss. Letlow. Mr. levin, Mr. levin, I miss. Molloy, miss molloy. No. Miss mccollum, miss mccollum, I miss ming, miss ming I. Mr. mulliner, Mr. mulliner. No. Mr.
▶ 6:41:16Moore, Mr. moore. No. Mr. morelli, Mr. morelli, I. Mr. moran, Mr. newhouse, Mr. newhouse. No. Miss. Perez. Miss. Pingree, miss pingree, I Mr. pocan, Mr. pocan, I Mr. quigley. Mr. quigley, I. Mr. guy reschenthaler. Mr. rogers, Mr. rogers. No. Mr. rutherford. Mr.
▶ 6:41:47Shreeve, Mr. shreeve. No. Mr. simpson. Mr. simpson. No. Mr. strong, Mr. strong. No. Mrs. torres. Mrs. torres, I miss. Underwood, miss underwood, I. Mr. valadao, Mr. valadao. No. Miss. Wasserman. Schultz, miss. Wasserman. Schultz. I. Mrs. watson. Coleman, Mrs. watson. Coleman. I. Mr. womack, Mr. womack. No. Mr. zink, Mr. zink.
▶ 6:42:18No. >> are there any members wishing to record their vote or change their vote? The gentleman from texas. >> Mr. carter. >> no gentleman from florida. >> Mr. rutherford. No. >> gentleman from arizona. >> Mr. cisco? No. >> gentleman from georgia. >> Mr. bishop, I. >> are there others wishing to record or change their vote? Seeing none, the clerk will tally.
▶ 6:43:21On this vote. The eyes are 26 and those are 31. The amendment is not adopted. Gentlelady from california, miss torres is recognized for the purpose of amendment. >> chairman, I rise to offer an amendment and ask that the reading be dispensed with.
▶ 6:43:47>> without objection, the reading of the amendment is dispensed with and the gentlelady is recognized for remarks on her amendment. >> uh, chairman, my amendment is based on a very simple question. Either we believe child traffickers should face consequences or we don't. Just last month in our poll announced 60 arrests across the americas in a child sex trafficking ring that produced and distributed child sexual abuse materials. This isn't just about the predators.
▶ 6:44:16It is also about the cowards who shield them and the ones who bury the evidence, twist the system and protect the powerful. While little children spend a lifetime living with the trauma. This is about what powerful people think they can get away with behind closed doors. And the prosecutors, politicians and enablers who helped them. My amendment simply stops taxpayer dollars in this bill from removing U.S.
▶ 6:44:46Sanctions that our government has placed on individuals who have credible allegations of child trafficking made against them. If our government has determined that there are credible allegations of an individual committing child trafficking, then we should not be welcoming them to the U.S. with open arms.
▶ 6:45:08My amendment includes a waiver if the secretary certifies that this is the urgent and crucial interest of the U.S. national security, we must draw a line and say that child trafficking is too horrific of a crime for the type of pay to play behavior.
▶ 6:45:33We have seen that no child trafficker should be able to pay for their sanctions to be lifted, and their consequences be erased to walk free because they knew the right, the right, rich and powerful people. I urge support of my amendment and I yield back. >> it was crazy. >> wasn't it? >> thank gentlelady for her remarks. And chair recognizes Mr.
▶ 6:46:02Diaz-balart for to respond to the amendment. >> I just want to thank the gentlelady for. For this amendment. We're willing and able and ready to accept the amendment. If. Great. Mr. chairman, accept the amendment. >> any others wishing to address the amendment? Yes. Gentlelady from florida is recognized. >> thank you, Mr. chairman.
▶ 6:46:26I'm really glad to hear that this amendment is going to be accepted, and I really commend congresswoman torres for her leadership in offering it. I don't think we can call enough attention, even though I know it's being accepted to the scourge of child trafficking. So, um, please bear with me, my remarks, um, because we should make sure that nobody that credibly is accused of trafficking children is granted relief from sanctions.
▶ 6:46:51We are living in an alternate reality where we have a president and his party that can profess to be tough on crime and dedicated to going after the, quote, deep state while unabashedly selling off pardons to well-connected insiders. President trump has lifted sanctions on foreign adversaries, criminals and brutal despots. He handed iran and russia billions in frozen assets in exchange for zero concessions.
▶ 6:47:17He lifted sanctions on venezuela's corrupt regime owned oil company and unfroze delcy rodriguez personal bank accounts. At the same time, this administration's brazen cover up of the epstein files illustrates the president's lack of concern for following the law, unmasking epstein's affiliates and securing justice for victims. I am not a newcomer to this issue. Along with ranking member frankel, I've been fighting for transparency and accountability for epstein's trafficking ring for nearly seven years.
▶ 6:47:45In 2019, we raised the alarm about the slap on the wrist deal that trump's cabinet secretary, alex acosta, gifted epstein while he was a prosecutor in our home state of florida. And together we fought for reforms to our justice system to ensure victims of these abhorrent crimes are not victimized once again by backroom deals. Backroom deals are simply how this president operates. That's why his administration has not initiated a single prosecution based on revelations in epstein documents.
▶ 6:48:12And they're openly debating a pardon for convicted sex trafficker ghislaine maxwell. I proudly sponsored the no escaping justice act to impose sanctions on foreign nationals, incriminated in the epstein files, and prohibit them from entering our country. And this amendment serves that same purpose. Nobody who exploits children should be admissible to our nation.
▶ 6:48:32Nobody responsible for enabling the purchase or sale of children should be able to buy and sell anything with us denominated assets, and certainly no child trafficker, regardless of how many donations they make, probably just stay higher. Or mar a lago events they attend should be able to buy their way off the sanctions list. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment, and I thank the gentlelady for offering it. And I yield back. >> thank the gentlelady for comments. Are there any others wishing to address the amendment? Seeing none, the gentlelady is recognized to close for one minute.
▶ 6:49:04>> thank you. Chairman. Just want to thank my colleagues on all sides of all the aisles. And with this amendment, we are sending a big message to children around the world. We see you, we won't forget you, and you matter. And with that, I yield back. >> thank the gentle lady. The question is now on the amendment offered by the gentlelady from california. All those in favor say aye. All those opposed say no. The general and the opinion of the chair. The ayes have it.
▶ 6:49:41Gentlelady from california, miss torres, is recognized for the purpose of amendment. >> Mr. chairman, I rise to offer an amendment, and I ask that the reading be dispensed with. >> without objection. The reading of the amendment is dispensed with, and the gentlelady is recognized for remarks on her amendment. >> my amendment simply places consequences on our special envoys who do not fill out the financial disclosures that all special envoys need to fill out. Why does this matter?
▶ 6:50:09It matters because the american people deserve to know what financial interests may be motivating the face of america abroad. It matters if you are sent to negotiate a peace deal with iran in pakistan, but all of your business interests depend on the price of oil. It matters if a foreign government invests in your business, and then you advocate for trade deals that enrich that nation.
▶ 6:50:38Right now, we have two special envoys who are negotiating on behalf of our nation, despite their serious financial conflicts of interest. One has previously advocated in advance of a chip deal with the uae while receiving $2 billion in financial investments in one of his businesses that he operates with trump family members.
▶ 6:51:04Another, the president's son in law, operates an investment firm that has taken in billions of dollars from the sovereign wealth funds of saudi arabia, qatar and the uae. His business is literally depends on them. We do. We really expect these deals to be made in the best interest of hard working americans?
▶ 6:51:26All of this is happening after more than 100 senate confirmed ambassadors, the real faces of america have been recalled by the trump administration.
▶ 6:51:39And instead of strengthening our foreign service, the experts who know how to engage in negotiations, this administration is appointing special envoys and shadow, uh, diplomats who are not senate confirmed and who have not filled out the financial disclosures. Americans should know whether their representatives at home and abroad have conflicts that potentially undermine the best interest of our nation.
▶ 6:52:08And if those special envoys are too afraid to provide that information to the american people, then they should not be using taxpayer dollars to represent us. I urge support for my amendment, and I yield back. >> thank the gentle lady for her remarks. The gentleman from florida, Mr. diaz-balart, is recognized to address the amendment. >> thank you very much, Mr. chairman.
▶ 6:52:31I respectfully rise in opposition of the amendment from my distinguished colleague, section 7064 of the bill already contains a limitation on special envoys. That provision requires that none of the funds under the heading diplomatic programs may be made available for support of our special envoy, a special representative or other position performing a similar function, unless expressly authorized by statute or has affirmatively received the advice and consent of the senate.
▶ 6:52:59Additional limitations on the appointments of special envoys and and similar positions, I believe, should be considered by the authorizing committees. And so, accordingly, I respectfully urge a no vote on this amendment, and I yield back. >> thank the gentleman, the gentlelady from florida, miss frankel, is recognized to respond to the amendment. >> so sorry. >> thank you, Mr. chair. And I just want to thank Mr.
▶ 6:53:27Torres for this very, very good amendment. I rise in support. It put simply, this amendment ensures that the people who represent the united states, sometimes in the most sensitive national security discussions, I'm not going to name names. We know who we're talking about. You name the names. There could be other names. Uh, but but they need to be up in front about their financial interests. We should not be kept in the dark about potential conflicts of interest.
▶ 6:53:56And transparency is the best way to prevent special dealing. Corruption and fraud, especially when issues of war and peace are at stake. And thank you for this very good amendment. I urge everybody to support it. >> thank the gentlelady. Are there others wishing to make remarks on amendment? Seeing none, the gentlelady is recognized for one minute to close. >> thank you. Chairman.
▶ 6:54:23>> I believe that every american special envoy representing us abroad should disclose their financial interests. Zero exemptions. The stakes are too high when unconfirmed shadow diplomats negotiate peace deals and trade agreements, hidden conflicts of interest and dangerous backroom billionaires shouldn't be deciding on what deals america gets without telling america exactly who is pulling their strings.
▶ 6:54:50If you won't tell the american people who's paying you, you don't get to spend their tax dollars on these deals. This is about accountability. My amendment doesn't end anyone's career. It just requires that the faces of american diplomacy prove their loyalty. It is to this country, not their pocketbook. And I urge support for my amendment. And I yield back. >> thank the gentlelady for her comment.
▶ 6:55:18The question is now on the amendment offered by the gentlelady from california. All those in favor say aye. >> aye. >> all opposed? Say no. No paying the chair. The nos. Have it. >> thank you. >> yeah. Roll call has been requested. Sufficient show of support has been demonstrated. The clerk will call the roll. >> Mr. aderholt. Mr. aguilar, Mr. aguilar. Aye. Mr. alford, Mr. alford. No. Mr. amodei. Mr. amodei. No. Mrs. bice. Mrs.
▶ 6:55:51Bice. No. Mr. bishop, Mr. bishop, I. Mr. calvert, Mr. calvert. No. Mr. carter, Mr. case, Mr. case I, Mr. cisco. Mr. cisco. No. Mr. klein. Mr. cloud. Mr. clyburn, Mr. clyburn. I. Mr. clyde. Mr. clyde. No. Mr. cole. No. Mr. cole. No. Mr. cuellar, miss. Dean, miss. Dean.
▶ 6:56:23I miss. Delauro, miss. Delauro, I Mr. diaz-balart. No. Mr. diaz-balart. No. Mr. edwards, Mr. edwards. No. Mr. ellzey. Mr. lee. No. Miss. Escobar, miss escobar, I Mr. espaillat, Mr. espaillat, I. Mr. fleischmann, Mr. fleischmann. No. Miss. Frankel, miss. Frankel, I Mr. franklin, Mr. franklin. No. Mr. guest, Mr. guest. No. Mr. carter. Mr. carter. I. Doctor. Harris. Doctor. Harris. No. Mrs. henson.
▶ 6:56:56Mr. >> hoyer I Mr. iv, Mr. iv I Mr. joyce, Mr. joyce. No. Miss. Kaptur, miss kaptur, I Mr. nick lalota. Mr. nick lalota. No. Miss lee, miss lee, I miss. Letlow, Mr. levin, Mr. levin, I miss. Molloy, miss. Molloy. No. Miss mccollum, miss mccollum, I miss ming, miss ming I. Mr. molinari, Mr. molenaar. No. Mr.
▶ 6:57:28Moore, Mr. moore. No. Mr. morelli, Mr. morelli I. Mr. van. Mr. newhouse, Mr. newhouse. No. Miss. Perez, miss perez, I, miss pingree, miss pingree, I Mr. pocan, Mr. pocan, I Mr. quigley. Mr. quigley, I. Mr. guy reschenthaler. Mr. rosenthaler. No. Mr. rogers. Mr. rogers. No. Mr. rutherford. Mr. rutherford. No. Mr.
▶ 6:57:56Shreeve, Mr. shreeve. No. Mr. simpson, Mr. simpson. No. Mr. strong, Mr. strong. No. Mrs. torres, I Mrs. torres, I miss underwood, Mr. valadao, Mr. valadao. No. Miss. Wasserman. Schultz, miss. Wasserman. Schultz, I. Mrs. watson. Coleman, Mrs. watson. Coleman. I. Mr. womack, Mr. womack. No. Mr. zink, Mr. zink. No.
▶ 6:58:27>> are there any members wishing to record their vote or change their vote? The gentleman from virginia. >> Mr. kline. >> no gentleman from texas. >> Mr. cloud? No. >> are there? Oh, Mr. carter. >> Mr. carter? No. >> are there any others wishing to change or record their vote? Gentleman from alabama. >> Mr. aderholt votes no.
▶ 6:58:59>> are there others seeing? None. The clerk will tally. >> votes.
▶ 6:59:38At 2 a.m. >> on this vote. The ayes are 25. The nos are 33. The amendment is not adopted. The gentleman from new york, Mr. is recognized for the purposes of an amendment. >> Mr. chairman. >> um, I will.
▶ 7:00:06>> I introduce an amendment and ask to dispense the reading of the amendment. >> without objection, the reading of the amendment is dispensed with, and the gentleman is recognized for remarks on his amendment. >> thank you, Mr. chairman. Um, Mr.
▶ 7:00:20Chairman, uh, this amendment requires the secretary of state to submit a report to congress on the measures that are being implemented to mitigate any risk whatsoever or impact to the department of state, its diplomatic efforts and its personnel. Following reports around proposed currency swaps with foreign nations that are in financial distress.
▶ 7:00:46Now, I did intend to withdraw this amendment, but I am compelled to detail the troubling behavior and stakes at play. Like many american families, national governments in every corner of the world are financially strained by the president's unlawful, unnecessary war. These governments need money, liquidity to try to steady their ships. So they.
▶ 7:01:16They've gone to the president and his family to ask for help. That help comes in the form of our tax dollars. You see, Mr. chairman, in in my district, in harlem and in washington heights and in the bronx, and every corner of the city of new york, people are also hurting. I think the american people also need some liquidity, not another bill.
▶ 7:01:43They do not want to cut the check for a golf billionaire bailout or another bombing campaign. Americans are connecting the dots. They do not want to support endless wars. This chaos or their money being spent on golf, billionaire bailouts. So this amendment, Mr.
▶ 7:02:05Chair, attempts to get to the bottom of this currency swap that is happening far too often, uh, with countries that are wealthy and, and, and want to bail out from the american people. The american people need help, not the billionaires in another part of the world. So, uh, I want to thank you for the opportunity, Mr. chairman. I will be withdrawing my amendment and I yield back.
▶ 7:02:34>> thank the gentleman for his remarks. Gentleman from florida. >> Mr. chairman, again, the gentleman withdrawing his amendment, I want to he's a he's a good friend of mine, and I want to work with him, uh, continue to work with him on this and everything else. And so he's the person that, again, I have a great relationship with, I have a lot of respect for. And we'll continue to we'll continue to work together, uh, on this issue and other issues I yield back. >> thank you. The gentlelady from florida is recognized. If she cares to make any remarks on this topic. >> thank.
▶ 7:03:03You know, I think I said enough, but thank you for this very good amendment. >> okay. If there's no further debate, the gentleman is recognized for one minute to close if he chooses to. >> thank you, Mr. chairman. >> as I said earlier, that this is troubling, that it began with, um, argentina and now is, uh, spreading to countries in the middle east that are hurting with, uh, the impact of
▶ 7:03:33The war. But these are countries that also have the wealthy communities and, and they deserve, uh, our neighborhoods deserve to get the same kind of help that a currency swap would grant to billionaires across the globe, uh, during a difficult time, uh, across the planet. But, uh, let's focus on america. Let's help our communities and, uh, let's end these senseless wars.
▶ 7:04:04Thank you, Mr. chairman. I yield back. >> thank the gentleman for his remarks. And the gentleman is recognized for the purposes of another amendment. >> thank you. Thank you, Mr. chairman. >> uh, I rise to offer a revised amendment. This revised amendment reaffirms our nation's long standing bipartisan support for the people and government of guyana. >> the gentleman.
▶ 7:04:32>> I just I asked for the dispense of the objection. >> the reading of the amendment is dispensed with, and the gentleman's recognized for remarks on his amendment. >> thank you. Uh, yes. This amendment reaffirms our nation long standing bipartisan support for the people and government of guyana. And this amendment underlines also our support for guyana's sovereignty and territorial integrity, including over the esquivel region along the border with venezuela.
▶ 7:05:04Allegations have surfaced that venezuelan government officials have attempted to organize elections, appoint governors, and extend administrative authority over this swath of guyana's territory. Similarly, there are often armed skirmishes in the region. In fact, last week, uh, two separate attacks on guyanese defense forces near the kuno river, uh, emerged. And we were really concerned about that.
▶ 7:05:35And the armed groups from venezuela in that region. This amendment is consistent with international law, the bipartisan and long standing position of the united states, and also directs the secretary of state to submit a report, uh, on the security of and the situation of the region. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment.
▶ 7:06:00As you may all know that the region has also a wealth of oil reserves that have been recently discovered. I yield back. >> thank the gentleman for his remarks. The gentleman from florida, Mr. diaz-balart, is recognized to respond to the amendment. >> thank you, Mr. chairman. I rise in strong support of my friend's amendment. Uh, as he mentioned, guyana is a is a strong strategic partner of the united states.
▶ 7:06:24And, uh, I too have been concerned about, uh, about those efforts by venezuela to assert its authority over territory that is from guyana. And it's unacceptable that the sponsor of the amendment mentioned this region. Uh, I'm glad he did.
▶ 7:06:40Uh, again, I I'm very, very, uh, I commend the secretary of state secretary rubio for backing that commitment, the united states commitment, with not only sustained engagement, including, by the way, direct calls with the president, travel to their capital and public warnings against the potential venezuelan aggression. And equally as important, uh, a signed us guyana security cooperation mou.
▶ 7:07:06So again, I, I, I strongly support this amendment. Uh, and I would just let folks know that that's why it's great to kind of submit amendments with time. It gives us the opportunity to look at them. Uh, just a little hint. Uh, but anyways, uh, with that. Mr. Mr. Mr. chairman, I strongly support this amendment. I yield back. >> thank the gentleman. The gentlelady from florida is recognized to address the amendment. >> thank you, Mr. chair. I love when we all get along, and I.
▶ 7:07:35I also rise in support of the amendment, uh, to maintain regional stability. It's important that we don't ignore conflicts and disagreements over borders. The united states should support a peaceful and just resolution to guyana's pursuit of a final and mutually acceptable agreement on its borders. And we should affirm continual support for our bilateral partners in the region. I want to thank Mr.
▶ 7:08:03Espaillat and urge everyone to support his amendment. >> thank the gentlelady for her comments. Are there others wishing to comment on the amendment? Seeing none, the gentleman is recognized for one minute to close. >> thank you again, Mr.
▶ 7:08:21>> chairman, and thank you to, um, the gentleman from florida and the gentlewoman from florida, uh, for their, uh, bipartisan support of this amendment. Uh, I guess this is a, a testament that even before midnight, we can get along and get something done. So I yield back. >> uh, I thank the gentleman for his comments. The questions now on the amendment offered by the gentleman from new york.
▶ 7:08:52All those in favor say aye. >> aye. >> all opposed? Say no. The ayes have it. The amendment is adopted. Uh, gentlelady from pennsylvania. Miss dean is recognized for the purposes of an amendment. >> thank you, Mr. chairman. I do have an amendment at the desk, and I ask unanimous consent to dispense with the reading of it.
▶ 7:09:18>> without objection, the reading of the amendment is dispensed with, and the gentlelady is recognized for remarks on her amendment. >> thank you. Chairman, I rise in support of my amendment, which strikes. If you take a look at page 244, it strikes section 7067 of the bill, which limits the use of funds for certain operations and assistance, specifically just to give you the flavor for it, section 7067, which I seek to strike, limits flags that can be flown over embassies in a clear attempt to ban pride
▶ 7:09:50Flags, prohibits any program grace meng related to critical race theory. It would implement executive order 14154, ending racial and wasteful government dei programs and preferencing. That's the title of the executive order. Those are not my words. It would implement executive order 14187 banning gender affirming care.
▶ 7:10:13It prevents any masks or vaccine mandates, and it would implement the rules published in the federal register on january 27th, 2026, entitled, entitled, quote combating gender ideology in foreign assistance, end quote and quote, combating discriminatory equity ideology in foreign assistance, end quote. The last point is a new addition in this section and extremely harmful.
▶ 7:10:40These rules expand the global gag rule to comply with this administration's extremist agenda against diversity and inclusion and lgbtq plus issues. Weren't we all so impressed today with the king, who spoke about the beauty of diversity in his own country and in ours?
▶ 7:11:05So my amendment proposes replacing the language of the section 7067 to make it clear that no funds should be used to implement this expanded gag rule. How? Maybe we could add to this list that there shall be no more massive presidential face banners on government buildings?
▶ 7:11:25As you know, previous iterations of the global gag rule only focused on abortion related restrictions, which were already extremely harmful to women's health and women's rights around the world. I'm deeply concerned about this far reaching consequences of this expanded and narrowed, even more narrowed version. Uh, I urge my colleagues to support, and I yield back. >> thank the gentlelady for her remarks. The gentleman from florida, Mr. diaz-balart, is recognized to address the amendment. >> Mr.
▶ 7:11:55Chairman, thank you so much. I rise in opposition to this amendment. Again, this amendment, as you heard, would strike what I believe are common sense language that prevents funds from being used for what I believe are counterproductive and at least controversial purposes, but counter counterproductive as well.
▶ 7:12:13If that wasn't enough, this amendment also proposes to insert language that would prevent the administration from implementing, administering and enforcing rules that prevent radical ideologies from being inserted inserted into united states foreign assistance, which is what we're dealing with. As we all know, the biden administration repeatedly funded programs abroad that contain what I would consider to be extreme agendas.
▶ 7:12:36Not only did these programs undermine the united states national security interests, but americans overwhelmingly oppose these controversial programs. And so I would then urge a no vote on this amendment. And, Mr. chairman, with that, I yield back. >> I thank the gentleman, the gentlelady from florida, miss frankel, is recognized to address the amendment. >> thank you, Mr. chair. I guess the love was short lived. Uh. >> but meaningful.
▶ 7:13:08>> I write, I rise in support of this fabulous amendment, and I thank you for it. Uh, the the, this is an amendment to strike the section that expands the global gag rule and imposes other ideological riders. The trump administration has already weaponized foreign assistance to prevent us global health partners from providing basic reproductive health care services.
▶ 7:13:34This bill takes it a step further, slapping sweeping restrictions across nearly all military aid and forcing partners to comply with the administration's view on diversity and so-called gender ideology. It tells partners that if they want to maintain their funding, they must stay silent and halt programs that address basic issues of inequality and dignity. And we're already seeing what that means in practice.
▶ 7:14:03Life saving hiv prevention programs supported by pepfar are being scaled back because the administration doesn't care about reaching the lgbt community, undermining our efforts to stop the spread of disease shelters, serving survivors of gender based violence have been penalized for reaching vulnerable populations most at risk, like women.
▶ 7:14:31Obviously lgbtq people and education and workforce programs that once focus on lifting up women and girls are being stripped of that focus, making them less effective and leaving those most in need behind. And this is not accountability that this is, uh, I the ideology overriding results and, and worse, these restrictions just don't apply to our funding. They attempt to control what partners do with their own money.
▶ 7:15:00That's overreach. That's un-american. For decades, our foreign assistance has been grounded in evidence, expertise, and a commitment to human rights. This replaces that with a one size fits all mandate that ignores reality on the ground. Uh, we cannot promote stability if we refuse to recognize who is most at risk. And we cannot claim we stand for human rights while punishing those who protect them.
▶ 7:15:30This policy, the trump policy, uh, turns light. Yes, this policy turns life saving aid into ideological loyalty tests. And shortsighted. It's harmful. It's wrong. I urge my colleagues to support this very fabulous amendment that representative dean and I yield back. >> thank the gentlelady for remarks. Are there others wishing to address the amendment?
▶ 7:15:56Seeing none, the gentlelady from pennsylvania is recognized to close. >> thank you. And just in sum, I think about the arguments that we hear from the majority party that we are so deeply in debt.
▶ 7:16:12That's why we have to massively cut foreign assistance at the cost, the expense of children's lives, women's lives, families, lives, hundreds and hundreds of thousands of people have died around the world because we stepped away from our, our, our humanity, and more importantly, our leadership. I do not understand it. I don't know why we don't think the exact opposite.
▶ 7:16:39And remember, when you talk about the deficit, we made a choice. At least the majority party made a choice. Massive permanent tax cuts for the wealthiest among us. That took us trillions of dollars into debt, deeper into debt. And you claim to care about that. Whereas usaid foreign assistance dollars are a drop in the bucket, costing hundreds of thousands, if not millions of lives.
▶ 7:17:07All the while in this attempt in this language to be more bigoted, to be negative. Do you not know anybody who is lgbtq? Do you tell your family members, don't fly a pride flag? Do you tell your family members you should not seek gender affirming care? Why in god's name would we put this kind of language in this bill? I urge adoption. >> thank the gentlelady.
▶ 7:17:35The question is now on the amendment offered by the gentlelady from pennsylvania. All those in favor say aye. All those opposed say no. Painting. The chair of the nos. >> have it. >> roll call is requested. Sufficient support is demonstrated. The clerk will call the roll. >> Mr. aderholt. Mr. aderholt. No. Mr. aguilar, Mr. aguilar, I, Mr. alford, Mr. alford. No. Mr.
▶ 7:18:06Amodei, Mr. amodei. No. Mrs. bice, Mr. bishop, Mr. bishop, I. Mr. calvert, Mr. calvert. No. Mr. carter. Mr. carter. No. Mr. case. Mr. case I Mr. eskamani. Mr. eskamani. No. Mr. klein, Mr. klein. No. Mr. cloud. Mr. cloud. No. Mr. clyburn, Mr. clyburn I. Mr. clyde. Mr. clyde. No. Mr. cole. No. Mr. cole. No.
▶ 7:18:38Mr. cuellar. Miss dean. I miss dean, I miss delauro, miss delauro, I Mr. diaz-balart, Mr. diaz-balart. No. Mr. edwards, Mr. edwards. No. Mr. ellzey. Mr. ellzey. No. Miss. Escobar, miss. Escobar, I Mr. espaillat, Mr. espaillat, I Mr. fleishman, Mr. fleishman. No. Miss. Frankel, miss. Frankel, I Mr. franklin, Mr. franklin. No. Mr. guest, Mr. guest. No. Mr.
▶ 7:19:10Harter, Mr. harter, I. Doctor. Harris. Doctor. Harris. No. Mrs. henson. Mr. hoyer, Mr. hoyer I Mr. iv, Mr. iv I Mr. joyce. Mr. joyce. No. Miss. Kaptur, miss. Kaptur, I Mr. lalota. Mr. lalota. No. Miss lee, miss lee, I miss. Julia letlow, miss ludlow. No. Mr.
▶ 7:19:41Levin. Mr. levin, I miss. Molloy, miss molloy. No. Miss mccollum, miss mccollum, I miss ming, miss ming, I, Mr. molinari, Mr. molenaar. No. Mr. moore, Mr. moore. No. Mr. morelli, Mr. morelli I. Mr. van. Mr. newhouse, Mr. newhouse. No. Miss. Perez. Miss. Pingree, miss. Pingree, I. Mr.
▶ 7:20:09Pocan, Mr. pocan, I Mr. quigley. Mr. quigley I. Mr. reschenthaler. Mr. rosenthaler. No. Mr. rogers, Mr. rogers. No. Mr. rutherford. Mr. rutherford. No. Mr. shreeve, Mr. shreeve. No. Mr. simpson, Mr. simpson. No. Mr. strong, Mr. strong. No. Mrs. torres. Mrs. torres, I miss underwood, miss underwood, I. Mr.
▶ 7:20:36Valadao, Mr. valadao. No. Miss. Wasserman. Schultz, miss. Wasserman. Schultz. I. Mrs. watson. Coleman, Mrs. watson. Coleman. I. Mr. womack, Mr. womack. No. Mr. zinc. Mr. zinc. No. >> are there any members wishing to cast their vote or change their vote? Seeing none, clerk will tally.
▶ 7:21:22Gentlelady from oklahoma. >> Mrs. bass votes no. >> thank you. >> on this vote, the yeas are 25. The nos are 34.
▶ 7:21:51The amendment is not adopted. Gentlelady from pennsylvania. Miss dean's recognized for the purpose of an amendment. >> thank you, Mr. chairman. I have an amendment at the desk, and I seek unanimous consent to dispense with the reading. >> without objection, the reading of the amendment is dispensed with. The gentlelady is recognized for remarks on her amendment. >> thank you, chairman cole.
▶ 7:22:15I rise in support of my amendment which adds report language, only clarifying it, that it is the sense of congress that usaid is the lead international humanitarian and development arm of the united states government as codified in statute. A simple statement of fact.
▶ 7:22:34This administration's dismantling of usaid is not only illegal and inhumane, but it is also made our foreign aid system less transparent, less effective, less efficient and more costly. In some ways, the vast majority of what has been cut is critical life saving aid, hundreds of millions for maternal and child health and nutrition, hundreds of millions for global health. I showed you this at a former markup.
▶ 7:23:00I got this when we were in west africa, visiting with mothers and children. This little measuring band is put around infants and babies arms to see if they are in the red zone of deep malnutrition, or if they are improving and beginning to grow and be nourished. Programs like this that america supported through usaid are now finished.
▶ 7:23:26We're not supporting them or programs like this for maternal health, vitamins, inexpensive vitamins for maternal health, for women around the world. The outcomes are so vastly improved. But we walked away from it. This is already costing lives. A study published in the lancet in february estimates that usaid dismantling will lead to 9.4 million preventable deaths by 2030.
▶ 7:23:55That number is incomprehensible 9.4 million preventable deaths by 2030. And we are the country that believes in life. If the current funding trend continues, 2.5 million of those deaths would be children under five. Think of the hypocrisy, the paradox, the irony. The trump administration is gutting the mechanisms and staff expertise that are essential to mitigate waste, fraud and abuse.
▶ 7:24:23They are accomplishing the opposite of what they actually claim is the goal. I urge my colleagues to stand up to the administration, assert the rightful leadership of this country, of this congress, and support my amendment, I yield back. >> thank the gentlelady for remarks. The gentleman from florida, Mr. diaz-balart, is recognized to address the amendment. >> thank you very much, Mr. chairman. I rise in opposition to this amendment. Um.
▶ 7:24:50How do I say this, this, this, this amendment is just not not reflecting reality. I want to be respectful, not sure how it serves the american people and our partners to, to continue to dwell in the past. Foreign assistance has been moved into the department of state, something that, by the way, a lot of folks have been trying and begging to do for many, many years.
▶ 7:25:13Uh, I for one, think I'm going to be spending my time and I think we should all be spending our time conducting oversight and ensuring that the foreign assistance that we actually do provide, uh, is, is done effectively and advances our national security. I'm not sure how focusing on a sense of congress that doesn't reflect the reality anymore, uh, really does much to help.
▶ 7:25:35And I remind everybody what I said before the united states has been and will continue to be, uh, the most generous country in the planet, the most generous government in the planet. Not to mention something that the chairman and I were talking about before, which is the american people on their own contribute also, frankly, vast amount of money, something we should all be proud of. So again, this is kind of just not reflecting reality. And for those reasons, I would respectfully ask for a no vote. And I yield back.
▶ 7:26:08>> thank the gentleman. The gentlelady from florida, miss frankel, is recognized to address the amendment. >> thank you very much. And I, I believe this is going to be the last amendment of the day. So I just I want to thank everyone for their participation and to say to, uh, Mr. diaz-balart that I and our committee, we. I look forward to forging ahead with the bill that we can all be proud of supporting. In the meantime, on this last amendment, I just want to say another fabulous amendment by, uh, Mrs.
▶ 7:26:36Dean and I, I, I rise to support it. Listen, we we have heard over and over of the devastation caused by the cuts to usaid. I'm not I'm not going to repeat it. I think we understand that. Um, and I want to just add this this I'm very grateful for the generosity of this country, for our own security over the years. We're no longer the leader.
▶ 7:27:06Actually, germany is the leader now in foreign assistance, but okay, that's not that big a deal other than to say this. Um. If the goal if the goal of doge, if the goal of doge was to weaken american business and give away influence, they succeeded.
▶ 7:27:33They succeeded because what doge did to usaid the way they did it is so dumb, really so dumb. Uh, you know the objection here. Listen, maybe there was a way to move, uh, the U.S. aid efforts to the state department, but not the way they did it. Five, 6000 direct usaid hires were were fired, a 10,000 others around the world.
▶ 7:28:02It affected literally hundreds of thousands of other jobs, uh, because, uh, usaid or our the aid came from our farmers, manufacturers, uh, contractors, ngo. So this sudden crazy cut not only has harmed the people in the world, but it's also harmed us, uh, economically.
▶ 7:28:28Um, and the fact of the matter is, folks, they left a mess. It is a mess in the state department because too much happened too quickly. And they're running around. I don't know, I'm I'm hoping that they're going to get their act together. But but that means we have a lot of work to do here. Um, and I want to thank Mrs. dean for ending us on this low note, unfortunately.
▶ 7:28:56Uh, but I'll give her some inspiration to work together, uh, so that we can be the leader in the world, uh, that we want to be. And, uh, we do it in a way that will make all of us proud. And I yield back. >> thank the gentlelady for her remarks. Are there other members wishing to address the amendment? Gentleman from maryland is recognized.
▶ 7:29:20>> um, I rise in support of the amendment, but I rise to again make the point which I think needs to be made. Um. The gentlelady yield. How many hearings did you have in your committee that elicited any information on the results of doj's actions?
▶ 7:29:49>> are you saying one, what was it? I don't know, maybe one, but I'm not really sure. >> well, I think it was zero. >> okay, I'll take your word for it. >> no, no, no, you not on the subcommittee, but thank you. Uh, I am on the subcommittee that oversees doj's, and I'm the ranking member. That oversees the white house that oversees, uh.
▶ 7:30:15So many facets of what doge did. Not a single hearing, not one. I would ask generally of any other subcommittee chair, uh, if they've had a single hearing on the results of those actions.
▶ 7:30:45>> raise your hand. >> ladies and gentlemen. There is no doubt that doge had a very substantial impact. And for this committee not to try to find out what impact it had. What steps need to be taken in response, pro or con. Is the point I make too often.
▶ 7:31:15And you're tired of hearing it. We are the authors of our own impotence. Because if you don't have them come before you and say, this is what we did, or this is what we want to do. They're not going to care. And they're going to continue to do whatever the hell they want, because they're not going to think we're we're going to hold them responsible.
▶ 7:31:43There will be no accountability. Now, I happen to think doge had a very negative impact and accomplished very little. I mentioned the fact that, uh, secretary kennedy appeared in front of us, essentially said they had 12000 out and 1200 0. >> in. >> 0 savings.
▶ 7:32:09But a lot of loss because that turnover cost us because there weren't the same people. Maybe there were just political people that hired in. We ought to know that. I don't know that anybody on the committee cares about that. The chairman has a sign in front of his dais.
▶ 7:32:34That it is our committee that appropriates money, and if it is our committee that appropriates the money and expect the executive to carry it out, then it is our responsibility to oversee the propriety of the actions that were taken by the executive department. Maybe I'm alone in thinking that.
▶ 7:32:55But when not a single chairman raises their hands or responds to a question, what hearings have we had? Now, frankly, we have pretend hearings. Not every subcommittee, but some of my subcommittee hearings are that they're not mine.
▶ 7:33:23But I'm in in the committee room are pretend they don't really elicit it information. It really doesn't hold people responsible, and it doesn't give us an idea of what we ought to do. Now, I want to congratulate, because I've talked to my friend debbie wasserman schultz and judge carter. I want to congratulate you because I think you may be the exception.
▶ 7:33:49Where debbie wasserman schultz says, yes, we hold people accountable for what we wanted them to do, and I congratulate you on that, both for doing it and for your courage. And I wish all of us would do that. I thank the gentlelady for her amendment. >> thank you. Gentlemen. Are there other members wishing to address the amendment?
▶ 7:34:19Seeing none, the gentlelady is recognized for one minute to close. >> I thank you, chairman cole. Uh, I wanted to respond to one of the questions that has been coming up over and over again. Doge came in to cut waste, fraud and abuse. And I'm reading from this. September 20th, 2025 nick kristof article, trump's most lethal policy about the cutting of usaid.
▶ 7:34:42And in it he writes, I obtained a june 3rd state department memo headed, quote, sensitive but unclassified, unquote, saying that this is from the department of state saying that the shutdown of the us agency, usaid, will cost taxpayers $6.4 billion over two years, $6.4 billion wasted.
▶ 7:35:11The memo of the subject, earlier reported by bloomberg government, said the money is necessary to manage litigation claims, residual payments, closeout activities, and the writer writes that's enough money to save more than 1 million children's lives. Instead, it's being used to shut down programs that save lives. I've met usaid workers around the planet.
▶ 7:35:34There are some people to be proud of, and the disrespect they have felt as a result of their firing, shuttering, shutting, canning them, giving them no notice. Having spent careers trying to do this life saving work and saving lives. But I do want to end on an up note. I thank you, uh, chairman diaz-balart, I thank you, ranking member and the full committee. I'm hoping that we will continue the conversation around usaid.
▶ 7:36:04There is common ground to be found, and we used to argue that usaid and foreign aid was only 1% of our budget. Uh, so no comparison to the deep deficits that have been passed as a result of the big, beautiful bill. What my argument is, is it should be 2% of our budget. It should be 3% of our budget. It is money wisely spent saving lives and reducing conflict, famine, migration, and the rest.
▶ 7:36:30I hope and pray that I can work with you, chairman, on this in the future. Thank you, I yield. >> thank the gentlelady. Uh, the question is now on the amendment offered by the gentlelady from pennsylvania. All those in favor say aye. >> aye. >> all those opposed say no opinion. The chair of the nos have it. And the amendment is not accepted. Um. We are.
▶ 7:36:57I'm about to ask Mr. rogers for a motion before we do. Mission barbecue is available across the street. I don't know if that's a reward because we got done a lot earlier than I expected. Or, uh, punishment if you don't like barbecue. But who doesn't like barbecue? It's got to be a reward. Oh, see? No further amendments. I now recognize chairman rogers for a motion. >> Mr.
▶ 7:37:23Chair, I move to favorably report to the house the fiscal year 2027 national security department of state and related programs appropriations bill. >> the questions now on the motion to favorably report the fiscal year 2027 national security department of state and related programs. Appropriations bill to the house. All those in favor, say aye. >> aye. >> all those opposed say no. >> no. >> in the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it.
▶ 7:37:53Roll call has been requested. Sufficient support has been demonstrated. Uh, clerk will call the roll. >> Mr. aderholt. Mr. aderholt. Aye. Mr. aguilar, Mr. aguilar. No. Mr. alford. Mr. alford. No. Mr. alford votes aye. Mr.
▶ 7:38:23Amodei, Mr. amodei, I, Mrs. bice, Mrs. bice I, Mr. bishop, Mr. bishop. No. Mr. calvert, Mr. calvert, I Mr. carter, Mr. carter I. Mr. case. Mr. case. No. Mr. cisco, Mr. cisco I Mr. klein, Mr. klein I. Mr. cloud, Mr. cloud I Mr. clyburn, Mr. clyburn. No. Mr. clyde. Mr.
▶ 7:38:53Clyde. I. Mr. cole. >> yes. >> Mr. cole I Mr. cuellar, Mr. cuellar. No. Miss. Dean. Miss. Dean. No. Miss. Delauro. >> I. >> Mr. laura. Votes. No. Mr. diaz-balart, Mr. diaz-balart I. Mr. edwards, Mr. edwards I Mr. ellzey. Mr. ellzey. I miss. Escobar, miss. Escobar. No. Mr.
▶ 7:39:25Espaillat, Mr. espaillat. No. Mr. fleischmann. Mr. fleischmann, I miss. Frankel, miss. Frankel. No. Mr. franklin, Mr. franklin I. Mr. guest, Mr. guest, I Mr. carter, Mr. carter. No. Doctor. Harris. Doctor. Harris. I. Mrs. henson, Mrs. henson, I. Mr. hoyer. Mr. hoyer. >> excuse me. How could I. Possibly say.
▶ 7:39:55It's in your heart. >> Mr. hoyer no. Mr. iv, Mr. iv no. Mr. joyce. Mr. joyce, I miss kaptur, miss kaptur. No. Mr. lalota. Mr. lalota, I, miss lee. Miss miss lee. No. Miss letlow, miss letlow I Mr. levin, Mr. levin, no.
▶ 7:40:23Miss molloy, miss molloy, I miss mccollum, miss mccollum. No. Miss ming, miss ming. No. Mr. molinari, Mr. molenaar, I Mr. moore, Mr. moore, I. Mr. morelli, Mr. morelli. No. Mr. mervyn. Mr. newhouse, Mr. newhouse, I miss. Perez, miss. Perez. No. Miss. Pingree. Miss. Pingree. No. Mr.
▶ 7:40:56Pocan, Mr. pocan. No. Mr. quigley. Mr. quigley. No. Mr. reschenthaler, Mr. reschenthaler, I Mr. rogers, Mr. rogers, I Mr. rutherford, Mr. rutherford I Mr. shreeve, Mr. shreeve I Mr. simpson, Mr. simpson, I Mr. strong, Mr. strong, I Mrs. torres, Mrs. torres. No. Miss. Underwood, miss. Underwood. No. Mr. valadao, Mr. valadao, I. Miss.
▶ 7:41:28Wasserman. Schultz, miss. Wasserman. Schultz. No. Mrs. watson. Coleman. No. Mrs. watson. Coleman. No. Mr. womack, Mr. womack, I. Mr. zink, Mr. zink, I. >> are there any members wishing to record their vote or change their vote? Little confusing with all of you moving around. So if you're fall in that category, please raise your hand. Anybody wishing to record or change their vote, raise your hand.
▶ 7:41:58Seeing none, the clerk will tally while the clerks are tallying. If any of you know, in honor of the king, we did not smoke in h. 216 we turned off the smoking lamp. But the king has left the building. Uh. And in honor of the king, the smoking lamp is turned back on. >> oh.
▶ 7:42:46That was a good one. >> on this vote, the yeas are 35, the nos are 27, and the motion is agreed to. I ask unanimous consent that staff be permitted to make technical and conforming changes to the bill, and the report just approved three days, three days. Seeing no objection. So ordered.
▶ 7:43:10There being no further business, the committee stands adjourned. >> I know.