Press Release : National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs

House Appropriations Committee Republicans today released the draft fiscal year 2026 State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs funding bill, which will be considered in subcommittee tomorrow. The legislation—the biggest pullback from international engagement ever—weakens our national security and puts the American people and public health preparedness at risk.

House Republicans just rubberstamped Elon Musk’s stealing of American taxpayer money. The $9.4 billion rescissions package does nothing to address the cost-of-living crisis, hurts middle class and working families, and undermines national security. These cuts continue Elon Musk’s agenda to chaotically destroy the government and weaken the United States’ power in order to pay for tax breaks for billionaires.

Today, Representative Lois Frankel (D-FL), Ranking Member of the U.S. House Appropriations Subcommittee on National Security, Department of State and Related Programs joined U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Brian Schatz (D-HI), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs, and Representative Gregory W. Meeks (D-NY), Ranking Member of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee, in issuing the following statement concerning the recissions package sent to Congress by the Trump administration, which would cut $8.3 billion in foreign assistance, including $900 million in cuts to global health programs, as well as cuts to democracy assistance, economic and development assistance, and economic and energy support for Ukraine and other states affected by Russia’s illegal invasion.

House Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro (D-CT-03) issued the following statement in response to the Trump administration’s proposed rescissions package.

Washington, DC – Today, Rep. Lois Frankel (FL-22), Ranking Member of the National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs (NSRP) Appropriations Subcommittee, along with Subcommittee members Reps. Grace Meng (NY-06), Norma Torres (CA-35), and Mike Quigley (IL-05), issued a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio requesting detailed information regarding the status of USAID and State Department programs. The Members conveyed the letter following the Trump Administration’s decision to terminate over 90% of USAID and State Department awards after a rushed and opaque review of nearly all foreign assistance without Congressional participation.

West Palm Beach, FL – Today, Congresswoman Lois Frankel (FL-22) released the following statement after the Trump Administration ordered a total freeze on all federal financial assistance. The White House has said this would not impact Social Security and Medicare payments. However, it would disrupt programs Americans rely on every day, halting billions of dollars to state and local governments, small businesses, nonprofits, health programs, schools and universities, infrastructure projects, and disaster aid.

Washington, DC – Congresswoman Lois Frankel (FL-22), Ranking Member of the National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs (NSRP) Appropriations Subcommittee, issued the following statement urging the resumption of foreign assistance in response to the Trump Administration’s Executive Order freezing nearly all U.S. foreign assistance programs funded by the State Department and USAID, pending a 90-day review. The freeze excludes security assistance to Israel and Egypt, emergency food aid, and salaries.

House Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro released the following statement on President Trump’s Executive Orders to reinstate the expanded Global Gag Rule and prevent women from accessing health care.