MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Emanuel Cleaver II (5th District Missouri)

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Representatives Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) and Analilia Mejia (D-NJ) led dozens of lawmakers in demanding the Trump administration make consumers eligible for tariff refunds and implement an automatic refund system to pay back small businesses that were harmed by the president’s illegal tariffs. In a letter to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, Small Business Administration Administrator Kelly Loeffler, and Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott, the lawmakers called on the administration to forgo the current claims-based refund process that overwhelmingly benefits giant corporations, and instead implement an automatic refund system focused on compensating small businesses while also making consumers eligible for reimbursement.

“While American families and mom-and-pop businesses faced the brunt of the damage caused by the president’s illegal tariff scheme, the administration’s current refund system prioritizes relief for giant corporations without any consideration for those who suffered the most,” said Congressman Cleaver. “We believe it is the American consumers that were forced to pay higher prices and the small businesses weighed down by higher costs that should receive immediate compensation. Unfortunately, that’s not what we’re seeing on the ground under the current system, and it is important that the administration make necessary changes before more damage is done to local economies across the country.”

“Working people and small businesses paid the price for Donald Trump’s illegal tariffs. Families saw higher prices at the grocery store, higher costs for everyday goods, and small businesses were forced to absorb costs they could not afford. Now that the courts have made clear these tariffs were unlawful, the administration cannot leave relief up to a cumbersome claims process that favors large corporations with teams of lawyers and staff. Every small business that was harmed should receive an automatic refund, and American consumers deserve compensation too. We must work to get small businesses and consumers the help they need immediately,” said Congresswoman Mejia.

On February 20, 2026, the United States Supreme Court in Learning Resources v. United States found that President Trump exceeded the authority granted to the president under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) when he implemented wide-ranging tariffs on American businesses nationwide. Before the Court weighed in, the federal government had already collected upwards of $166 billion in duties under IEEPA.

Although the administration established a process for American importers to apply for reimbursement, research shows that roughly 90 percent of tariff costs were passed on to consumers, who have been given no opportunity for relief. 

Moreover, the Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries (CAPE) portal created by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has proven to be unreliable, unfair, and unnecessarily burdensome for businesses it is meant to reimburse. While giant corporations have legal departments and administrative teams dedicated to these sorting through these issues, smaller businesses often do not have the resources and staff needed to operate the current system.

In addition to calling on immediate relief for consumers and small businesses, the lawmakers requested responses to the following questions:

1. What steps are your agencies taking to ensure that small business owners are given adequate resources to obtain refunds and better understand the process, including those who were not designated as the importer of record?
2. What steps are the administration taking to compensate or support small businesses and workers who may not be eligible for refunds, but nevertheless took on debt, lost revenue, or risk closing as a result of these tariffs?
3. Why has CBP not made consumers eligible for reimbursement, given that research shows the majority of tariff costs were passed on to everyday Americans, and are there any plans to provide direct relief to American consumers?
4. Why did CBP elect to pursue an importer-initiated claims process rather than issuing automatic refunds for unliquidated entries, and what actions are being taken to remediate technical failures in the CAPE portal and ensure timely processing of all claims?
5. Does the administration have a timeline for the processing of all IEEPA refund claims?

The letter was co-signed by Reps. Balint (D-VT), Barragán (D-CA), Bonamici (D-OR), Castro (D-TX), Cisneros (D-CA), Craig (D-MN), Crockett (D-TX), DeGette (D-CO), DeLauro (D-CT), DeSaulnier (D-CA), Escobar (D-TX), Fletcher (D-TX), Garcia (D-TX), Grijalva (D-AZ), Hayes (D-CT), Hoyle (D-OR), Huffman (D-CA), McBride (D-DE), McCollum (D-MN), McIver (D-NJ), Moulton (D-MA), Holmes Norton (D-DC), Pallone (D-NJ), Pettersen (D-CO), Pingree (D-ME), Quigley (D-IL), Ryan (D-NY), Salinas (D-OR), Simon (D-CA), Titus (D-NV), Tonko (D-NY), Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), Watson Coleman (D-NJ), Williams (D-GA).

The official letter from lawmakers is available here. 

 

Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee’s Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Greenwood, Blue Springs, North Kansas City, Gladstone, and Claycomo. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee and Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman David Schweikert (AZ-06)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — U.S. Rep. David Schweikert, R-Ariz., honored 21 local students who received appointments to U.S. service academies, setting a new record for his office.

“These students have earned an opportunity that takes discipline, character and a commitment to service,” Schweikert said. “It was a pleasure to meet them and their families as they prepare to represent Arizona and serve our country. We are very proud of them.”

Each year, members of Congress may nominate qualified students from their districts to attend U.S. service academies. Students who receive appointments are provided a fully funded four-year education and commit to serve for at least five years after graduation.

Schweikert’s office is also accepting applications for the next service academy nomination cycle. High school seniors for the 2026-27 school year in Arizona’s 1st Congressional District may apply through the online application portal. The deadline to apply is Sept. 25, 2026.

Students may begin their applications at https://schweikert.house.gov/service-academy-form/

For questions about the application process, students may contact Chelsea Lett, service academy coordinator, at (480) 946-2411 or Chelsea.Lett@mail.house.gov.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Joe Neguse (D-Co 2)

The bills are House companions to legislation introduced by Senator Bennet as Republicans attempt to pour billions more into the agencies without any accountability measures.

Washington, D.C. — Today, Colorado Congressman Joe Neguse led the state’s House Democratic delegation in introducing three bills aimed at reforming the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The bills were first introduced by Senator Michael Bennet in the U.S. Senate and include the Keeping Immigrants and Destinations Safe (KIDS) Act, the Training, Responsibility, Uniforms, and Standards for Transparency (TRUST) Act, and the Oversight, Protection, and Enforcement Notification (OPEN) Act.

As the son of hardworking immigrants and naturalized citizens, Rep. Neguse has been at the forefront of Congress’ fight against the Trump administration’s cruel, inhumane, and unlawful immigration policies. In July 2025, he became the lead plaintiff in a lawsuit (Neguse et al. v. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement et al.) challenging the administration’s attempt to unlawfully block Members of Congress from conducting critical oversight and accessing immigration detention facilities. 

In response to Neguse’s efforts, federal courts have affirmed the right of all Members to visit ICE detention facilities—including as recently as March 2026. 

The Congressman is also credited, in part, with former Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem’s eventual termination. Neguse’s consequential questioning of Noem’s $220 million, taxpayer-funded ad campaign was part of the tipping point that ultimately led to her removal from office. 

“Over the course of the last year and a half, the Trump administration’s cruel and inhumane immigration policies have inflicted a heavy toll on the people of Colorado. Enough is enough,” said Congressman Joe Neguse. “I’m proud to join Senator Michael Bennet in introducing legislation that stands up for transparency and accountability, makes clear that oversight is not optional, and underscores that no president can bend the rule of law to their will. These proposals are a starting point toward real, meaningful reform—protecting children and sensitive locations, holding federal immigration officers accountable, and ensuring that everyone is treated with dignity and respect.” 

Congressman Neguse is joined by fellow House members Representatives Diana DeGette (CO-01), Brittany Pettersen (CO-07), and Jason Crow (CO-06) in introducing these proposals.

“Donald Trump’s ICE operations are out of control—he promised to go after the ‘worst of the worst,’ but instead ICE is detaining children, deporting U.S. citizens and people who are here legally, and operating with virtually no oversight or accountability,” said Congresswoman Pettersen. “As Republicans move to pour billions more taxpayer dollars into this lawless agency, we need comprehensive reform that the majority of the American people support. I’m grateful to work with Congressman Joe Neguse to introduce these bills to increase transparency, strengthen accountability, protect due process, and begin restoring trust.” 

“Donald Trump’s cruel immigration agenda has been defined by fear and a disregard for basic human dignity,” said Congresswoman DeGette. “No child should be detained, no family should be afraid to seek care at a hospital or attend school, and no law enforcement officer should be allowed to operate without transparency and accountability. I’m proud to work with my colleagues to introduce these bills that will restore humanity, oversight, and the rule of law to an immigration system that has been pushed beyond the bounds of decency.”

“Donald Trump said he’d go after the ‘worst of the worst’ criminals. Instead, he’s rounding up kids, detaining and murdering Americans in our streets, and terrorizing our communities,” said Congressman Crow. “Republicans just gave ICE a massive budget increase without pushing for any reforms to the abuses we have seen. It’s wrong and we must rein in the abusive practices of this rogue agency. I appreciate Senator Bennet’s leadership to stand up to President Trump and hold this administration accountable.”

Additional information about each bill can be found below.

The Keeping Immigrants and Destinations Safe (KIDS) Act would prohibit DHS from detaining children and from performing immigration enforcement actions in and around sensitive locations without a court issued criminal warrant. 

More specifically, the KIDS Act would:

• Prohibit DHS from detaining children, individuals with cognitive disabilities, or their primary caregivers;

• Ban immigration arrests at schools, hospitals, places of worship, courthouses, and other sensitive locations, unless officers have a court-issued criminal warrant; and 

• Clarify that these protections also apply when individuals are traveling to, attending, or returning from sensitive locations.

The Training, Responsibility, Uniforms, and Standards for Transparency (TRUST) Act ensures immigration enforcement agents are held to the same standards as local law enforcement and reforms hiring and screening standards and enforce uniform, identification, and professional conduct standards. 

More specifically, the TRUST Act would:

• Require immigration enforcement officers to wear standardized DHS uniforms and clearly display badges and identification during enforcement operations;

• Prohibit officers from wearing masks during immigration enforcement operations;

• Establish stronger hiring standards, including comprehensive background investigations, screening for affiliations with terrorist, violent, or hate-based organizations, and psychological evaluations;

• Require officers to complete specialized training on wrongful detention prevention, de-escalation strategies, language access, medical and disability recognition, and civil rights protections; and 

• Mandate officers to use body-worn cameras during enforcement actions, establish consequences for failing to activate or tampering with recordings, and require public release of footage following serious incidents, subject to privacy protections.

The Oversight, Protection, and Enforcement Notification (OPEN) Act seeks to improve oversight of DHS and enforce detention standards. 

More specifically, the OPEN Act would:

• Guarantee Members of Congress unrestricted access to all immigration detention facilities without prior approval;

• Ensure detained individuals are able to notify family members following their detention and access legal counsel;

• Require notification to family and legal representatives immediately when individuals are transferred to another detention facility or hospital;

• Require DHS to publicly report allegations and incidents of excessive force, wrongful detention, mistaken arrests, the detention of U.S. citizens, and sexual assault;

• Establish requirements for independent inspections by and transparency to appropriate federal and state officials before converting warehouses, jails, or other facilities into immigration detention centers; and 

• Require judicial warrants for immigration enforcement. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steny H Hoyer (MD-05)

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) issued the following statement to mark 45 years since he was sworn in to represent Maryland’s Fifth Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives on June 3, 1981:

“Serving the people of MD-05 in Congress for the past forty-five years has been the honor of a lifetime. Through all these years, I’ve continued to believe that there is nothing we cannot achieve if we set out to do it together and in a spirit of consensus. 

“That’s how we enacted the ADA and launched a revolution of inclusion for people with disabilities across our country and around the world.  It’s how we reformed a broken health care system through the Affordable Care Act and reined in Wall Street with Dodd-Frank. It’s how we ended the discriminatory “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, won the hard-fought battle for marriage equality, and never wavered in our ongoing fight for voting right and civil rights. Through bipartisan consensus, we made generational investments in infrastructure and manufacturing competitiveness. And, together, we stood up for our national security by fighting for human rights and democracy around the world and by protecting and strengthening critical military installations in Southern Maryland.  We made major progress cleaning up the Chesapeake and Patuxent, launched an innovative network of early-childhood centers, and expanded advanced research at the University of Maryland and our other world-class institutions of higher learning.

“I’m proud of all we’ve accomplished, and I look forward to continuing this work through the end of the 119th Congress.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN)

Washington, DC – The House of Representatives passed U.S. Representative Chuck Fleischmann’s (TN-03) bill, H.R. 2768, the Benton MacKaye National Scenic Trail Feasibility Stidy Act of 2026. This piece of legislation authorizes the critical next step in naming the Benton MacKaye Trail a National Scenic Trail.
“I was proud to see HR 2768 pass on the House floor. This legislation takes first steps in designating the Benton Mackaye Trail, which stretches from Springer Mountain in Georgia to the Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee, a National Scenic Trail. The BMT is long overdue for recognition, and this critical distinction will bring better resources and maintenance to a wonderful and heavily used alternative to the Appalachian,” said Congressman Fleischmann. 
“The Benton MacKaye Trail runs through Georgia, Tennessee and North Carolina. Rep. Fleischmann’s legislation authorizes a study to determine if the trail can be designated as a National Scenic Trail. I commend Rep. Fleischmann for his dedication to improving outdoor recreation opportunities,” said Chairman Westerman. 
The Benton MacKaye Trail runs approximately 287 miles from Springer Mountain in North Georgia, through East Tennessee and Western North Carolina, into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, ending at Big Creek in the Northeast corner of the park. The Benton MacKaye Trail provides numerous opportunities for easy, moderate, and challenging day hikes, many routes for multi-day backpacking and camping, and of course, for the most serious hikers, end-to-end thru hikes.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA)

The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) has awarded Southwest Virginia Community College, based in Cedar Bluff, Virginia, a $1,818,822 grant. This funding will support the expansion of career and technical education programs with a focus in advanced manufacturing and trade-based skilled technician training. U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement:

“Local industries in Southwest Virginia rely on experienced, trained and skilled individuals.

“This ARC grant for more than $1.8 million helps Southwest Virginia Community College expand education programs for students to access meaningful employment opportunities in the region.”

BACKGROUND

According to ARC, this funding is supported by the Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization (POWER) initiative.

These educational programs are anticipated to serve 390 students.

Southwest Virginia Community College will engage and collaborate with regional partners and organizations, including the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority and the Southwest Virginia Workforce Development Board.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman John Moolenaar (4th District of Michigan)

Headline: Moolenaar: Gotion Filing is Further Example of CCP Lawfare

This week, Gotion, a CCP-affiliated company rejected thoroughly by Michigan residents, submitted its amended filing seeking monetary damages in its lawsuit against Green Charter Township. Congressman John Moolenaar opposed Gotion’s project to build a battery component factory due to the company’s well documented ties to the Chinese Communist Party and its reliance on forced labor in its supply chain. Moolenaar released the following statement: 

“Gotion spent years trying to force itself into Green Charter Township, despite patriotic residents of Mecosta County rejecting it time and time again. Now that the State of Michigan has rightly placed it in default of its obligations to receive state taxpayer support, it has sunk to a new low and is seeking to bankrupt the town. Gotion is no stranger to seeking retribution, in text messages revealed in court documents, a Gotion executive sought personal information about those who opposed the Chinese Communist Party coming to Mecosta County. Gotion’s recent filing is only further evidence the CCP and companies beholden to it will abuse our legal system to silence those who oppose their agenda.”

Moolenaar is the Chairman of the House Select Committee on China.

In November 2023, voters rejected Gotion’s plans to build a battery component factory in Green Charter Township, recalling the last five remaining members of the Board of Trustees who approved the deal. Following the recall, Gotion sued Green charter Township. Court documents revealed a Gotion executive personally sought private information about critics of the project. Last September, the Michigan Strategic Fund notified Gotion it was in default of its obligations, and made no progress on its project in 120 days. In January, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel ordered Gotion to repay the state taxpayer funds given to the company.

Gotion is the “wholly-owned and controlled” subsidiary of its Chinese parent company, Gotion High-Tech, and receives subsidies from the Chinese government. Congressman Moolenaar has worked with community leaders to oppose the Gotion project and fought in Congress to stop it. Last year his NO GOTION policy became law. This policy prohibits taxpayer funding in the so-called “Inflation Reduction Act” from going to CCP-affiliated companies. Members of Gotion’s North America leadership attends CCP board meetings. The company also has ties to slave labor in China.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Andy Biggs (AZ-05)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a win for Arizona, the U.S. Department of the Interior released a proposed grazing rule to “give ranchers more flexibility, improve the health of rangelands and support rural communities across the West.” The announcement comes as the number of U.S. cattle operations has dropped by more than 150,000 (17%), and the national herd has fallen to its lowest level in over 70 years. These decreased numbers resulted from government overreach and outdated rules that hampered ranchers’ ability to meet growing national beef demand.

The move from the Interior Department follows a request from Congressman Biggs, and joined by Representatives Ciscomani, Crane, and Gosar, urging the administration to review current grazing regulations and remove barriers that have been detrimental to the American cattle economy. Late last year, Congressman Biggs sent a letter to Interior Secretary Burgum and Agriculture Secretary Rollins, asking their agencies for a full assessment of federal policies to ensure the rebuilding of the American herd is not constrained by extreme environmental mandates or unnecessary restrictions.

“I applaud President Trump and Secretary Burgum for this proposed rule that puts America’s ranchers and food security first,” said Congressman Biggs.“Under the previous administration, cattle ranchers were forced to reduce their herd counts because of federal mandates and orders cutting public grazing land use. This administration knows how critical it is to protect our great ranchers and allow these families to provide abundant food to the American people. I support this proposed rule and look forward to it taking effect in the coming months.”

Read the December 2025 letter from Congressman Biggs here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Julia Brownley (D-CA)

Washington, DC –  Today, Democratic Women’s Caucus (DWC) member Congresswoman Julia Brownley (CA-26), DWC Executive Steering Committee member Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-06), DWC member Congresswoman Gwen Moore (WI-04), and 32 DWC colleagues sent a letter to U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin urging him to immediately reinstate protections to help immigrant survivors escape abuse, stay safe, and seek justice without fear of deportation. This letter follows consistent abuse of immigrant survivors at the hands of ICE, including a harrowing report about a mother of two who was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents after testifying against her ex-boyfriend for choking her until she lost consciousness then raping her. In the letter, the members also requested a meeting with Secretary Mullin to further discuss the importance of protecting survivors.

In the letter, the members explain that the Trump administration’s policies are continuing to put immigrant survivors at risk, despite demands from DWC that DHS act to protect them. The letter highlights multiple cases where ICE detained women after they sought help after abuse. This has created a chilling effect that prevents immigrant survivors from reporting violence, accessing health care, or seeking supportive services.  

In the letter, DWC members explain that immigrant women are especially vulnerable to intimate partner violence because abusers often exploit survivors’ immigration status to maintain control and prevent them from seeking help:

“Immigrant women are especially vulnerable to intimate partner violence—experiencing intimate partner violence at a rate of 49%, which is three times the national average. This is in part because abusers can use survivors’ immigration status, to wield control, manipulating survivors not to report the abuse. In 2025, 75.6% of advocates reported that the immigrant survivors they help have concerns about contacting the police; 70.3% reported that immigrant survivors are concerned about going to court for a matter related to their abuser; and 50% reported that immigrant survivors chose not to report their abuser out of fear. The lack of reporting also means that abusers remain in our communities- making all of us less safe.”

The members also highlight that the Trump administration has weakened longstanding protections for immigrant survivors of domestic violence from the Violence Against Women Act:

“In December 2025, USCIS published updates to its Policy Manual that significantly weakened longstanding protections for immigrant survivors of domestic violence under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). The new narrow the definitions of ‘battery and extreme cruelty,’ raise evidentiary burdens through a stricter interpretation of the ‘any credible evidence’ standard, and impose new good moral character guidelines that ignore the realities survivors face—including trauma’s effect on memory, abusers’ control over documents, and language and cultural barriers. These changes reward abusers by making it harder for survivors to self-petition for relief which goes against the intent of VAWA. Without protections in place for survivors to report violence coupled with stories about enforcement actions at courthouses and other sensitive locations, immigrant survivors are left with no safe avenues to report their abuse.”

DWC members close the letter by calling on DHS to change policies that are protecting perpetrators:

“Your Department must re-evaluate their policies to ensure that immigrant women survivors of intimate partner violence and other crimes can seek safety without fear. Your Department is punishing victims rather than perpetrators, which contradicts your Department and the President’s stated priority to keep our communities safe and get violent offenders off our streets. Your policies are instead protecting violent offenders, leaving many women vulnerable, scared, with their safety at real risk. Effective enforcement depends on survivors being able to safely report crime. Congress created survivor-based protections to support law enforcement and] improve public safety. A victim-centered approach strengthens enforcement, increases accountability, and makes us all safer. The Democratic Women’s Caucus stands with all survivors, and we implore your Department to undo these dangerous immigration policies and restore protections that allow survivors to escape abuse and receive the resources they need to heal. They deserve to find support without the looming threat of deportation. As you assume your new position, we would like to request a meeting with you to discuss this issue further. We look forward to your timely response.”

Read the full letter here.

In addition to Brownley and letter leads Debbie Dingell and Gwen Moore, the letter was signed by Yassamin Ansari, Nanette Barragán, Joyce Beatty, Judy Chu, Yvette Clarke, Jasmine Crockett, Lois Frankel, Sylvia Garcia, Adelita Grijalva, Pramila Jayapal, Julie Johnson, Sydney Kamlager-Dove, Summer Lee, Teresa Leger Fernández, Sarah McBride, Betty McCollum, LaMonica McIver, Kelly Morrison, Brittany Pettersen, Delia Ramirez, Luz Rivas, Deborah Ross, Andrea Salinas, Lateefah Simon, Haley Stevens, Rashida Tlaib, Jill Tokuda, Bonnie Watson Coleman, Nikema Williams, and Frederica Wilson.

This is a follow up to the Democratic Women’s Caucus’s January letter calling on DHS to reinstate protections for immigrant survivors with pending T and U visa applications. This letter is part of DWC’s ongoing efforts to call out DHS on how their policies harm women, including at a hearing entitled: “The Assault of Women By Trump’s ICE & CBP” and in several oversight letters (see here, here, and here).

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Issues: 119th Congress, Immigration

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (25th District of FLORIDA)

WASHINGTON, D.C. –  Today, House Appropriations Committee Vice Chair and Chairman of the National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Subcommittee (NSRP), Rep. Mario Díaz-Balart, delivered the following opening remarks during the NSRP Budget Hearing on Tuesday, June 2nd at 2:00 PM ET.

The full event was livestreamed on the House Appropriations Committee’s YouTube channel.

Chairman Díaz-Balart’s opening remarks as prepared here and below:

“Secretary Rubio, I am pleased to welcome you back to the NSRP Subcommittee for today’s hearing on the fiscal year 2027 budget request for the Department of State and related programs.

Mr. Secretary, because of your extremely busy schedule, which I would argue has led to an extraordinary record of success for American foreign policy, we were unable to get your/ testimony on the budget request prior to marking up our fiscal year 2027 bill. 

We hope the bill will soon be considered by the full House and then negotiated with the Senate before becoming law, so there is still plenty to discuss today on our FY27 proposals, as well as how the Department is implementing the FY26 funding provided earlier this year. 

Despite being late in the budget season, I believe this hearing is well timed. As you may have heard, I just returned from leading a CODEL to South America. I was reminded, once again, how much leadership matters. 

President Trump and your leadership, implemented by our embassies abroad, has fundamentally changed the course of our foreign policy and history, and it couldn’t have come at a more important time, following four years of the previous Administration’s efforts to consistently reward our enemies and frustrate our allies. 

Likewise, we see the positive impacts of the leadership of key partners in the hemisphere such as President Peña in Paraguay and President Milei in Argentina, who are standing firmly with the United States and our shared values, despite tremendous pressure, and in doing so, advancing the national security and economic prosperity of our country and theirs. But while the anti-American, anti-freedom forces in the hemisphere are being defeated at the ballot box, they are not giving up. On the contrary, they are aggressively trying to sow chaos, including through violence. Just look at what they are doing in Bolivia. 

The region is also confronting external malign influences, most notably the PRC, who are not too happy about what you and President Trump are accomplishing in partnership with pro-American allies. They’re ratcheting up the pressure and will continue to fight back in what is now contested space that America ignored for far too long. The Trump Administration is transforming the world in bold and durable ways and as Chairman of this Subcommittee, I intend to provide the resources you need to ensure we can double down on our wins and continue to support freedom and security throughout the hemisphere and beyond.  

However, we don’t need to increase topline funding to do this. In fact, our FY27 bill reduces spending by $2.7 billion from the enacted level.  That is in addition to the $12 billion in responsible cuts to funding this Subcommittee has delivered since 2023, because the greatest long-term threat to our country’s stability and security is our debt.

With less funding, the bill does more for our national security. We provide an increase for embassy security to keep U.S. personnel safe. We increase Foreign Military Financing and International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement to ensure our partners and allies around the world have the best equipment and training to advance our shared security.  

I would note that your budget request in two of these areas – embassy security and counternarcotics and law enforcement – is greatly improved from the FY26 request by seeking levels that more accurately reflect the needs we see today, especially to carry out the President’s national security strategy. In the coming years, I look forward to examining more comprehensive budget requests that will support the ambitious and critical foreign policy goals of this historic President.

However, I think we both agree that it’s not just how much is spent. It’s how the funding is spent. As you know well, Secretary Rubio, an America First foreign policy requires careful strategic consideration of how to spend American tax dollars abroad. 

To that end, our bill maintains the requirement for you, Mr. Secretary, to consider, prior to providing funds, the voting practices of other countries at the United Nations.  It also requires an assessment of cooperation on other issues of importance to the United States, such as migration issues, opposing foreign adversaries, and burden sharing among allies. These are all areas of focus where I believe the Department has achieved notable success, and I look forward to discussing them further with you.

To support a policy of peace through strength, the Committee recommendation for fiscal year 2027 once again supports allies and partners of the United States while countering adversaries and those countries and non-state actors that support them. Our bill includes steadfast support for our great ally Israel by providing $3.3 billion in Foreign Military Financing, consistent with the U.S.-Israel Memorandum of Understanding and maintains critical support for Egypt and Jordan.

With respect to confronting adversaries, the United States has been in nearly continuous conflict with the Islamic Republic of Iran since its founding in 1979. For almost five decades, Iranians have endured repression, violence, and torture at the hands of the evil Iranian regime — a regime that exports terrorism, brutally suppresses dissent at home, and attacks the United States and our allies.

Last week on my CODEL, we visited the site of the AMIA bombing in Buenos Aires, where in 1994, Iran’s terrorist proxy Hezbollah attacked a Jewish Community Center in Argentina, killing 85 people and injuring over 300. In 1992, Hezbollah bombed the Israeli Embassy in Argentina, killing 29 people and injuring more than 200. These are just two examples of how Iran and Hezbollah have been exporting deadly terrorism around the world for decades. We have a responsibility to do everything we can to stop these terrorist regimes before they claim more victims. 

In my view, the coordinated military action by the United States and Israel against Iran’s military capabilities, as well as its nuclear program, will help ensure the security of the United States and our allies and partners for years to come.

I’m sure Members will have questions for you about these operations, including the status of efforts to help secure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and the status of our embassy operations in the region. The Committee also continues its longstanding focus on countering the challenge to United States national security posed by the People’s Republic of China and the Chinese Communist Party. 

This includes funding above the request for our Indo-Pacific strategy, including through fully funding the Countering PRC Influence Fund. The bill also strongly supports allies and partners in the region, including Taiwan, the Philippines, and Pacific Islands countries.

As I mentioned at the beginning, I am particularly proud of the fact that the United States has reprioritized the Western Hemisphere and put the Americas first, which has been a major American foreign policy priority throughout our history. 

As with the President’s bold action in Venezuela to remove the indicted criminal Nicholás Maduro, the United States is now decisively tackling security challenges closer to home and putting anti-American regimes – like communist Cuba – on notice. Threats to our national security will not be tolerated.

The bill continues strong support for democracy programs for the people of Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua and calls on European partners seeking support for Ukraine to stand for freedom and democracy in the Western Hemisphere as well, especially in Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua. One of the State Department facilities in Argentina that we visited last week displays a plaque that reads, “Democracy is Still the Hope of the World.” This is the sentiment that we should always remember.

More broadly, the Committee emphatically supports your efforts to strengthen United States economic ties with countries in our hemisphere. This includes combatting the influence of the PRC, securing access to critical minerals, supporting the nearshoring of vulnerable supply chains and identifying commercial opportunities, such as in countries transitioning away from authoritarian or communist political systems.

All these areas of emphasis align with administration priorities, and I look forward to working with you on implementation. 

Mr. Secretary, we have endeavored in the committee bill to provide you with the resources and flexibility you need to implement the President’s America First foreign policy. We appreciate your team working with us to implement committee directives from the FY26 bill and want you to know that we will work closely with you on your priorities as we advance this measure through the legislative process. Before I conclude, let me thank you for your service, Mr. Secretary, and also reiterate how much we appreciate the service of the men and women at the Department of State. I’ll now turn to the Ranking Member, another great Floridian, for her opening remarks.”

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