MIL USHOR-2b Engine

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

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart (FL-26), Vice Chair of the House Committee on Appropriations and Chairman of the Subcommittee on National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs (NSRP), celebrated the House passage of his Fiscal Year 2026 National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Act, which was passed a key component of a legislative minibus that also included the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act. The NSRP legislation delivers a historic16% spending reduction – the largest of any appropriations bill this fiscal year.

“I commend Chairman Tom Cole’s leadership in restoring regular order to the appropriations process and protecting hard-earned U.S. taxpayer dollars and thank my colleagues for advancing this third tranche of full-year appropriations bills that deliver real solutions for the American people. These bills cut waste, fraud, and abuse, ensure accountability and efficiency, combat drug trafficking, and strengthen U.S. national security, all while advancing President Trump’s America First agenda.

As chairman of the subcommittee responsible for funding America’s foreign policy and national security priorities, I am proud that my NSRP Fiscal Year 2026 bill delivers the largest spending reduction of any appropriations bill this year, reducing spending by 16%, while strengthening U.S. national security and prioritizing American interests. 

Under President Trump’s leadership, American strength and credibility on the world stage are back. This legislation advances the President’s Peace Through Strength vision by strengthening mutually beneficial partnerships that lead to economic prosperity for the United States and our hemisphere, standing firmly with our allies, confronting malign actors that threaten our security, combating drug trafficking, and controlling irresponsible and dangerous migration.”

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

FISCAL YEAR 2026 NATIONAL SECURITY, DEPARTMENT OF STATE, AND RELATED PROGRAMS APPROPRIATIONS BILL

The National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs (NSRP) Appropriations Act provides a total discretionary allocation of $50.014 billion, a nearly $9.3 billion cut (16%) below the Fiscal Year 2025 enacted level. The unprecedented reduction of spending in this measure codifies the FY25 rescissions and cuts even more, while reflecting the priorities of the America First agenda. 

Even with the cuts, the NSRP bill maintains robust funding for our allies like Israel, Jordan, Egypt, and Taiwan, and counters adversaries like the Communist People’s Republic of China (PRC), Iran, Cuba, and drug cartels – including those designated as Foreign Terrorist Organizations. The bill removes woke Biden-era poison pills and supports President Trump’s vision to refocus and realign foreign policy to make America safer, stronger, and more prosperous.

Champions America First Foreign Policy by:

• Reprioritizing funding in support of United States national security.
• Creating the America First Opportunity Fund to ensure the Secretary of State has the flexibility to quickly respond to unforeseen opportunities in an effort to advance the America First foreign policy agenda.
• Supporting President Trump’s America First foreign policy by eliminating wasteful spending on DEI or woke programming, climate change mandates, and divisive gender ideologies.
• Prioritizing funding and policies to combat the flow of fentanyl and other illicit drugs into the United States to help save American lives.
• Putting American businesses first by prioritizing diplomatic engagement to favorably resolve commercial disputes abroad and to promote American business interests overseas.
• Refocusing attention on critical diplomatic functions, such as addressing passport applications and ensuring the safety and security of our embassies.

Protects life, supports American values, and enhances our standing in the world by:

• Protecting long-standing pro-life provisions as well as enhancing oversight and transparency over program implementation to ensure American taxpayer dollars will not fund abortions.
• Increasing support for religious freedom programs and demanding religious freedom protections for faith-based organizations.
• Holding foreign governments and bad actors accountable for their persecution of people of faith, including restricting assistance to Nigeria until measurable actions are taken to protect Christian communities suffering from violence due to their beliefs.
• Confronting human trafficking by prohibiting funding for countries and organizations that continue benefiting from the human trafficking of Cuban medical doctors, while directing the Secretary of State to pull visas for officials involved in Cuban doctors’ trafficking.
• Advancing free speech and prohibiting censorship by banning programs that violate the free speech rights of American citizens.

Bolsters U.S. national security and border protections by:

• Providing unwavering support for Israel by including no less than $3.3 billion in Foreign Military Financing Program funds.
• Upholding longstanding partnerships with our key security allies in the Middle East, Israel, Egypt, and Jordan.
• Including $300 million for the Foreign Military Financing Program for Taiwan to strengthen deterrence across the Taiwan Strait, and up to $2 billion in loans and loan guarantees for such purpose.
• Fully funding the Countering PRC Influence Fund at $400 million.
• Providing $1.8 billion for United States national security interests in the Indo-Pacific and to counter the PRC’s malign influence.
• Denying the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) access to U.S.-backed resources:
  • Requires opposition to multilateral development bank lending for China.
  • Requires opposition to increased shareholding for China within the multilateral development banks.
  • Prohibits funds from being used to repay loans to China.
  • Furthers cooperation between the Department of State and War in countering foreign talent programs posing a threat to national security.
• Prohibiting funding for programs that facilitate and encourage migration toward the United States border.

Safeguards American taxpayer dollars and preserves core functions by:

• Prioritizing fiscal sanity with over $9 billion in cuts.
• Enhancing oversight and transparency requirements to ensure American taxpayer funds are not used by ineffective or fraudulent organizations.
• Supporting efforts to reduce duplication, eliminate bureaucracy and silos, and streamline foreign policy under the direction of the Secretary of State to support a nimble and effective Department.
• Eliminating funding for Biden-era executive orders on climate, gender, DEI, and extraneous or irrelevant programs that run contrary to an America First foreign policy agenda.
• Including a new directive to the Secretary of State to establish a responsible strategy for transitioning PEPFAR programs off United States assistance.
• Consolidating and reducing the number of accounts to facilitate efficient, strategic allocation of funds for programs that support United States national security interests.

Standing with our friend and ally, Israel by:

• Providing unwavering support for Israel by fully funding security assistance for Israel at $3.3 billion, consistent with the United States-Israel Memorandum of Understanding.
• Prohibiting U.S. funding for the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).
• Prohibiting funding for the United Nations International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem and Israel.
• Prohibiting any funding from being used to move the U.S. Embassy to the State of Israel to a location other than Jerusalem.
• Continuing conditions and restrictions to ensure taxpayer funds are not getting into the hands of terrorists or paying prisoners for acts of terrorism (pay-to-slay).
• Including language to ensure full compliance with the Taylor Force Act.
• Prohibiting funding from being used to revoke the designation of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a Foreign Terrorist Organization.
• Extending Israel’s access to defense articles in the War Reserves Stockpile and loan guarantees for Israel.

Promotes freedom and democracy while safeguarding U.S. taxpayer dollars by:

• Requiring that foreign assistance be directed to countries in the Western Hemisphere that act as allies and execute foreign and domestic policies which are consistent with United States values and security interests, including Argentina, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panama, Paraguay, and Peru.
• Promoting freedom in the Western Hemisphere:
  • $25 million for democracy programs for Cuba;
  • $50 million for democracy programs for Venezuela;
  • $15 million for democracy and religious freedom programs for Nicaragua.
• $30 million for the operations of the Office of Cuba Broadcasting (Radio and TV Marti).
• Prohibiting funds to prevent the removal of entities from the Cuba Restricted List.
• Including limitations on funding for countries and organizations that benefit from the continued trafficking of Cuban medical doctors, and directing the Secretary of State to revoke visas for officials involved in the human trafficking of Cuban doctors.
• Prohibiting assistance to individuals or entities that support, finance, or facilitate the operations or commercial activities of the Cuban Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces or Ministry of the Interior, or their affiliates.
• Placing strict conditions on funding and requiring a pre-obligation report for Colombia, due to the Petro Administration’s failure to align with United States interests and worsening security conditions, including the assassination of a political opposition leader.
• Requiring a report from the Administration about efforts in Haiti and encouraging the incorporation of locally led organizations in their approach to the multi-layered crisis.

A summary of the bill is available here. 

Bill text is available here.

Floor Remarks can be watched here.

Joint Explanatory Statement is available here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV)

Washington, D.C. – On Tuesday, Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV) participated in a Ways and Means Trade subcommittee hearing discussing trade policy and its role in maintaining American innovation and technology leadership. A video and transcript of the Congresswoman’s questions and provided responses can be found below. 

Congresswoman Miller began by highlighting the Trump Administration’s historic achievements in ensuring anti-discriminatory practices against U.S. tech firms in recent trade agreements before questioning expert witness Nigel Cory, Director of Crowell Global Advisors, on the actions Congress should take to quell remaining discriminatory practices in Korea. 
 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Paul Tonko (Capital Region New York)

WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman Paul D. Tonko (D-NY), Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Environment, today announced the introduction of H.R. 6918, the Climate Pollution Standard & Community Investment Act, major climate legislation that would create a roadmap to achieving a carbon-free economy, while driving down energy costs and supporting frontline communities.

This timely legislation comes on the heels of studies that U.S. emissions rose an estimated 2.4 percent in 2025, in a reversal of emission reductions in previous years, as well as reports that energy bills in the U.S. are on the rise to the tune of 13 percent, with prices expected to climb even further.

“For too long, there has been a false dichotomy that we can either address climate change and develop clean energy solutions or strengthen our economy and lower costs; that could not be further from the truth,” Congressman Tonko said. “Smart, comprehensive climate policy will have massive cost-saving benefits for our nation and communities, while also avoiding the worst economic and public health harms caused by climate change. That’s why I’ve introduced my Climate Pollution Standard and Community Investment Act. This legislation addresses climate pollution by establishing a framework that encourages the most cost-effective pathway to reducing emissions, while using the revenues generated to support working and middle class Americans. I’ll keep pushing for Congress to get serious about taking meaningful climate action while also lowering energy costs for consumers.”

“At a time of rising energy demand and prices, Representative Tonko’s Climate Pollution and Community Investment Act is a thoughtful, practical proposal that addresses the twin challenge of climate and affordability. The proposal uses the power of the market to drive American innovation and competitiveness, positioning the American economy to prosper and grow while cutting climate pollution and protecting consumers from rising costs. We look forward to working with Congress, businesses, and stakeholders across the economy to demonstrate that effective climate policy aligns with sound economic policy,” said Nat Keohane, President, Center for the Climate and Energy Solutions.

The Climate Pollution Standard and Community Investment Act will:

• Create a long-term regulatory framework to phase down climate pollution from major sources;
• Generate new revenues which will be reinvested in frontline communities;
• Support displaced workers and low-income households; and
• Fund additional activities that will accelerate the adoption of clean energy technologies.

The approach proposed in this legislation has a proven record of success that includes the EPA’s implementation of the AIM Act to phase down hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and the Acid Rain Program to phase down sulfur dioxide (SO2). Both programs, enacted with strong bipartisan support by Congress, utilize an allowance program to achieve emissions reductions in a certain, orderly, and cost-effective manner.

Bill summary can be found HERE.

Bill text can be found HERE.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jason Crow (CO-06)

WASHINGTON — Congressman Jason Crow (D-CO-06) will return to federal court against the Trump Administration after officials secretly re-imposed a policy that stonewalls unannounced congressional oversight of federal immigration detention facilities.

Under federal law, all members of Congress have the right to conduct unannounced oversight of federal facilities, including those run by Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE). Congressman Crow sued the Trump Administration to uphold this right following his unlawful denial from an ICE detention facility in Aurora in July 2025.

Recently, however, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem issued a memo requiring Members of Congress to provide seven days’ notice before being granted access to these facilities. This is an attempt, once again, to add new roadblocks to oversight and to avoid accountability. The right to conduct unannounced visits was recently upheld in December following an attempt by the Administration to implement the same policy requiring advance notice from Members of Congress.

Crow’s motion urgently asks the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to order the Administration to explain how the policy requiring seven days advance notice is not a violation of federal law.

Additional Members of Congress who were denied access to federal detention facilities joined Crow as plaintiffs in the lawsuit: Representatives Joe Neguse (D-CO-02), Jamie Raskin (D-MD-08), Bennie Thompson (D-MS-02), Veronica Escobar (D-TX-16), Dan Goldman (D-NY-10), Adriano Espaillat (D-NY-13), Jimmy Gomez (D-CA-34), Norma Torres (D-CA-35), Raul Ruiz (D-CA-36), Robert Garcia (D-CA-42), and Lou Correa (D-CA-46).

In a joint statement, the plaintiffs said: “In December, a federal court acted to restore Members of Congress’s ability to conduct essential congressional oversight on behalf of the American people. Now, rather than complying with the law, the Department of Homeland Security is attempting to get around this order by re-imposing the same unlawful policy. This is unacceptable. Oversight is a core responsibility of Members of Congress, and a constitutional duty we do not take lightly. It is not something the executive branch can turn on or off at will. Today, we are going back to court to defend the rule of law, protect transparency, and ensure that no administration can hide behind closed doors.”

Since his election to Congress, Crow has fought to promote transparency, oversight, and accountability in federal immigration detention centers. He introduced bipartisan legislation guaranteeing Members of Congress the right to conduct unannounced, in-person oversight visits of ICE detention facilities, including to check on any concerns related to public health and the humane treatment of detained individuals.

Crow regularly conducts oversight of Aurora’s ICE detention facility. Since 2019, he has visited the facility to conduct oversight ten times. Crow’s staff have also visited the facility more than 80 times to conduct oversight. Public reports of such visits, along with conditions at the facility, are published on Crow’s website.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jimmy Gomez (CA-34)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Jimmy Gomez hosted a telephone town hall tonight to hear directly from constituents as communities across the country grapple with aggressive immigration enforcement, rising costs, and growing concerns about holding Republicans in power accountable. Rep. Gomez was joined by 7,212 constituents from across Los Angeles.

During the call, Gomez addressed the killing of U.S. citizen Renée Good by an ICE agent in Minneapolis, ongoing immigration enforcement activity, and what he described as blatant abuses of power by the Trump administration. He also discussed his efforts to hold the Department of Homeland Security accountable, including a lawsuit against the Trump administration to ensure members of congress have access to conduct unannounced oversight visits at federal detention facilities, as well as newly filed articles of impeachment against DHS Secretary Kristi Noem.

Gomez also spoke about escalating instability abroad, including the Trump administration’s recent unauthorized military operation in Venezuela and reckless rhetoric toward NATO allies. He highlighted his recent legislation to block any attempt by President Trump to invade, annex, or purchase Greenland, warning that unauthorized military threats put global security and American credibility at risk. 

“I’m holding these town halls because families are living with the consequences of Donald Trump’s abuse of power every day, from rising prices to aggressive immigration enforcement that’s tearing communities apart,” said Rep. Gomez. “I’m using every tool I have, oversight, the courts, and legislation, to hold this administration accountable. Hearing directly from constituents is how we push back and make sure that accountability actually happens.”  

Rep. Gomez also highlighted legislative efforts to lower costs for working families, including his proposed bill to redirect Trump’s $175 billion anti-immigrant slush fund into making housing affordable.

Gomez closed by encouraging constituents to stay engaged and continue sharing their stories.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (8th District of New York)

Today, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries appeared on MS NOW’s The Briefing, where he made clear that Democrats will continue to hold ICE, DHS and the Trump administration accountable for the extremism that they are unleashing on American communities.

JEN PSAKI: Joining me now is House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries. Mike Johnson—I can’t, that clip. I had to watch it a few times because I just can’t believe that that is the message when we’re seeing what we’re seeing with our own eyes happen in Minneapolis. The continuing terror done on communities across that state. What people—I think everybody watching knows this, but Democrats are not in control of the House, they’re not in control of Senate and they’re not in control of the White House. So there’s a question of leverage here. I know you’ve talked about, and others in Democratic leadership, the CHC, the Progressive Caucus, have all talked about accountability. And I want to talk about those measures. But what leverage do you see you have right now to try to force Republicans to make this an issue in the funding debate?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, one thing that’s going to be important is to continue to point out how outrageous it is that Republicans are trying to justify what ICE is doing in American communities, on American streets and to American citizens. ICE just killed, in cold blood, Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old American citizen, who’s left behind three children. This is unreal stuff. It’s unconscionable, it’s unacceptable and it’s un-American. So continuing to ratchet up the intensity around public pressure and sentiment will be important to push a handful of our Republican colleagues to join us to make sure that ICE actually is conducting itself like every other law enforcement agency in America. That means no masks, that means a requirement that there are body cameras when ICE is engaging in this activity across the country, that means a warrant requirement, that means making sure that ICE can’t just bully and bombard and steamroll and storm houses of worship, hospitals, schools, ripping children away from their parents, things that are appropriately horrifying the American people that no other law enforcement agency is permitted to do. And we also have to make sure in law that this notion that ICE has absolute immunity is nothing that can ever be vindicated in an American court of law because part of the challenge here is if you have people in the Trump administration saying that it doesn’t matter what you do you will not be held accountable, then there are going to be some bad apples who are out there toting guns, engaging in this lawless behavior, who will feel like they have a free hand to do whatever they want. Governor Walz is right, however, they are going to be held accountable.

JEN PSAKI: I mean, it is infuriating to watch this officer. Seemingly, it’s hard to see what the path to accountability is there. Let me ask you, you know, I’m sure you get lots of calls to your office. I know a lot of people do. You just outlined a number of those restrictions you’d like to see on ICE. Masks, it’s crazy that they get to wear masks. Warrants, they should have to offer those. More training. You’ve listed more than that. There is a growing movement, not 50%, of people who want to abolish ICE. There is certainly some kind of political backlash of that five years ago, but explain, you’re trying to win back the House, you’re trying to become the Speaker. Why is that not the answer right now?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, listen, I think clearly significant reform needs to take place as it relates to the manner in which ICE is conducting itself. ICE is using taxpayer dollars to brutalize American citizens and to unnecessarily and viciously target law abiding immigrant families and communities. The whole premise that Donald Trump sold to the American people was that this immigration enforcement activity was going to target violent felons. It’s not targeting violent felons. They’re targeting American families, brutalizing American communities. And now, as we’ve seen, killing American citizens. This is out of control and the American people aren’t going to stand for it. So certainly we need massive reform to the way in which ICE and the Department of Homeland Security are currently conducting themselves. The American people are going to demand it and Democrats are going to press for it.

JEN PSAKI: We’re certainly seeing that out there with protests and with people marching in the streets. I want to turn to healthcare because it was just a week ago—it feels like we’re in some sort of version of dog years, I don’t even know how you feel right now—that you helped lead the effort to pass a three-year extension of the ACA subsidies that so many millions of Americans are relying on. We’ve already seen 1.4 million people opt out of healthcare and it’s going to be more as they see what the costs are. Right now there is a—I’m going to call it, you can call it what you want—a phony negotiation over in the Senate. They’re not really doing it. Senator Thune could just bring up this three-year extension and get a vote. And who knows, maybe he’d get the votes. Why is he not doing that, and what can be done to press him to do that?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Well we decisively, as you pointed out, passed a three-year extension of the Affordable Care Act tax credits to ensure that tens of millions of everyday Americans, middle class Americans and working class Americans don’t experience dramatically increased health insurance premiums that would, in some instances, bankrupt them or certainly prevent them from being able to go see a doctor when they need one. And all 213 House Democrats were joined by 17 Republicans because the people are with us on this issue. We know over in the Senate that a majority of Senators, 47 Democrats and four Republicans, support extending the Affordable Care Act tax credits for three years in a clean extension. And so the obstacle right now is that John Thune and conservative Republicans, the MAGA extremists, they just want to rip healthcare away from the American people. There’s no other explanation. This is the same group of folks that in the One Big Ugly Bill enacted the largest cut to Medicaid in American history. They also ripped food from the mouths of hungry children, seniors and veterans. And they did all of that so they could reward their billionaire donors. And that seems to be the only thing that they care about other than constantly bending the knee to Donald Trump and his extremism.

JEN PSAKI: Just to restate, the overwhelming majority of the public supports an extension of these subsidies and the right wing of the caucus in the Senate Republicans wants to put in conservative abortion restrictions, which means John Thune—he’s dealing with that portion of his caucus. I don’t know, he could bring it up still and there still might be the votes. But that is what’s going on, which is really crazy given millions of people are relying on this right now. Leader Jeffries, thank you so much for being here.

LEADER JEFFRIES: Thank you.

JEN PSAKI: I really appreciate it. So much to discuss. Thank you again.

LEADER JEFFRIES: Good to see you.

Interview can be watched here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Haley Stevens (MI-11)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, Senator Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) announced that she was under federal investigation for filming a video urging military service members to refuse “illegal orders.”

In response to the Trump administration’s continuous weaponization of the federal government, Michigan Congresswoman Haley Stevens released the following statement:

“Elissa Slotkin is a patriot who has dedicated herself to serving our country. I strongly condemn the Trump administration’s weaponization of the Justice Department to intimidate Senator Slotkin for doing exactly what her oath of office requires: defending the Constitution and the rule of law. Reminding service members that they have a duty to refuse illegal orders is not sedition. It is a safeguard of democracy.

“Using law enforcement to retaliate against elected officials is dangerous and straight out of the authoritarian playbook. I stand with Senator Slotkin and with every public servant who honors their oath and fights to uphold the Constitution.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ed Case (Hawai‘i – District 1)

(Washington, DC) — U.S. Representative Ed Case (HI-01), a member of the key House Committee on Appropriations, responsible for all federal discretionary funding, announced final House passage of a measure consolidating two more of twelve annual federal funding bills for the current Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 (commencing October 1, 2026).  

The National Security, Department of State and Related Programs measure funds U.S. foreign policy efforts, including the Department of State, U.S. contributions to the United Nations and its agencies and more.  

The bill has historically provided for international diplomatic presence and outreach as well as foreign assistance in public health, basic education, educational and cultural exchanges, climate change and more. The bill’s proposed FY 2026 discretionary funding level is $50 billion, or $9.3 billion less than the FY 2025 enacted level, reflecting the administration’s focus on reducing such programs.

The other bill – Financial Services and General Government (FSGG) – funds the U.S. Treasury Department, the Small Business Administration (SBA), federal courts, the Federal Communications Commission, the Office of Personnel Management and various independent agencies. The bill’s proposed FY 2026 discretionary funding level is $26 billion, $3.1 billion below the current FY 2025 enacted level.

National Security, Department of State and Related Programs

Case, while opposing the overall funding reductions, welcomed support in the bill for various of his requests related to Hawai‘i and the Indo-Pacific, especially $22 million for the East-West Center in Honolulu.

“As we continue to focus on the growing influence of the PRC in the Indo-Pacific, our national security interests must also include diplomatic engagement and assistance to promote peace and diplomacy in the region,” said Case.

“Continued funding for our East-West Center and other world-leading institutions in Hawai‘i supports our country’s standing in an area widely seen as the most dynamic and critical on earth.” 

“For all seven of my years on Appropriations, I have ranked full funding for the Center at the top of my annual requests to my Committee because I believe not only in the Center’s invaluable work but in what it represents for Hawaii’s central role in the Indo-Pacific and in the broader benefits that bring high-quality jobs to our overall economy,” he said.

“Though we still await final approval by the Senate and the President, I’m grateful that my colleagues have again favorably considered my request, especially when the President’s budget proposed zero funding for the Center.” 

Other bill provisions requested by Case, who continues as co-chair of the House Pacific Islands Caucus, include:

·         $1.8 billion for the implementation of the Indo-Pacific Strategy, which promotes peace, prosperity and democracy in the region. 

·         $175 million in assistance for the Pacific Islands region, the same as FY 2025 enacted levels.

·         $20 million for the Pacific Islands Forum’s Pacific Resilience Facility, a Pacific-led and member-owned financial institution designed to support Pacific Islands nations facing climate change and disaster risks. 

·         $3 million for the Advancing Port Enhancement and Customs Security Program in the Pacific Islands.  

·         Funding for Pacific Islands exchange programs, with a focus on partnering with universities in Pacific locations.  

·         Funding for small grants programs to assist local communities across the Pacific Islands.

·         Report language supporting the Peace Corps’ expansion in the Pacific.

·         Funding for a demand-driven initiative to diversify trade opportunities in the Pacific Islands.  

·         Funding for a Flexible Microfinance Facility for the Pacific Islands, launched by the Development Finance Corporation with the Department of State. 

·         Report language supporting funding for free and open media in the Pacific. 

·         Funding for trade capacity-building activities in the Pacific Islands. 

·         Language requiring a report on ways to strengthen U.S. trade and investment with the Pacific Islands.  

·         Funding for unexploded ordinance removal in the Pacific Islands, including Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Kiribati.

·         Language requiring a strategy for faith-based engagement for assistance in the Pacific Islands.

The bill further includes funding for several foreign policy programs supported by Case, although some at unacceptably low levels. Among them are:

• $411 million for the Peace Corps. 
• $335 million for peacekeeping operations.
• $1.2 billion to support international peacekeeping activities.
• $667 million for educational and cultural exchange programs, which include the Fulbright programs.
• $1.4 billion for contributions to international organizations.
• $1.3 billion for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
• $915 million for maternal and child health programs. 

“While I voted for this measure because it did fund many critical Hawai‘i and Indo-Pacific priorities I requested, the bill as a whole weakens our global leadership when the world most needs our continued full engagement,” said Case.

“Yet this outcome was more favorable than the one proposed by the Trump administration and the previous House version,” continued Case. “The final version of the bill succeeded in rejecting the full extent of President Trump’s proposed cuts by investing $50 billion in U.S. global leadership, which is $19 billion or 61 percent above President Trump’s request.”

When Case spoke in Committee last year, he said the foreign affairs funding measure is a critical tool to ensure we do not “split our alliances, partnerships and friendships and cast our country as an unreliable partner,” allowing the People’s Republic of China to fill voids left by U.S. disengagement. His remarks are here. 

A summary of the National Security and Department of State Appropriations bill is here.

Financial Services and General Government

“This measure funds many critical national and local priorities for Hawai‘i that I requested, in particular programs assisting some 134,000 small businesses that form the backbone of Hawaii’s economy,” said Case.

The bill provides $1 billion for SBA, an increase of $383 million above the budget request and $169 million above the initial House level. The bill includes $330 million, an increase of $13 million above FY 2025 enacted and $180 million above the request, for Entrepreneurial Development Programs.

“These include efforts that aid entrepreneurs, provide mentorship training and expand trade opportunities in the international marketplace,” explained Case.

The final version of the bill includes $324 million for the Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund Program, up from $277 million initially proposed by House Republicans.

Last year Case spoke in Committee in support of CDFIs, which play an important role in helping Hawai‘i. It assists specialized community-based financial institutions that promote economic development by providing financial products and services to people and communities underserved by traditional financial institutions, particularly in low-income and minority communities. See his speech in the Appropriations Committee here.

Case stressed that in Hawai‘i alone, there are 11 certified CDFIs that in Fiscal Year 2023 made loans totaling $132 million. He urged full funding to the CDFI Fund and opposed any efforts to freeze CDFI funding.

Case also gained approval of his funding requests for several federal programs and services especially important for the State of Hawai‘i including:  

·         $28 million for CDFI Native Initiatives, which provides Financial Assistance and Technical Assistance awards to build the capacity of CDFIs serving Native American, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian communities.

·         $5.3 million for the SBA Native American Outreach Program.  

·         $150 million for Small Business Development Centers, which supports six SBDC in Hawai‘i.

·         $41 million for the Microloan Technical Assistance Program.

·         $27 million for the Women’s Business Centers Program, which supports the Patsy T. Mink Center for Business and Leadership.

·         $9 million for the Regional Innovation Clusters Program. 

·         $20 million for the State Trade Expansion Program.

·         $7 million for the Program for Investors in Micro-Entrepreneurs. 

·         $4 million for the Historically Underutilized Business Zones Program. 

·         $109 million for the Drug-Free Communities Program.

·         $299 million for the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Program.

·         $1.8 billion for Defender Services. 

In addition, the bill included his provision directing the SBA to coordinate with relevant federal agencies, businesses, employees and financial institutions to expand employee business ownership, including cooperatives and employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs), provide technical assistance to assist employees in becoming business owners, and assist in accessing capital sources.

“ESOPs and similar employee ownership structures are vital to building succession plans to ensure small businesses remain in their communities where they belong,” said Case. “In Hawai‘i, we’ve seen firsthand the benefits of ESOPs. Hawai‘i is home to the second-oldest ESOP chapter in the nation, underscoring the success and importance of employee-owned businesses in our state.”

This provision builds off Case’s bipartisan measure (H.R. 2993) that would assist small businesses to adopt ESOPs, which offer a tested solution to employment and business productivity, stability and ownership transfer. (See here for more information.)

“While this measure funds many critical national and local priorities for Hawai‘i that I requested, there are also severe funding cuts to national programs assisting small businesses, including efforts that aid entrepreneurs, provide mentorship training and expand trade opportunities in the international marketplace.” 

In addition, the bill provides $45 million in funding for Election Security Grants to safeguard elections and democracy, $30 million above FY 2025. 

“In addition, the bill invests in agencies that protect the public, such as the Consumer Product Safety Commission at a level of $151 million, which keeps us safe against unreasonable risks of injury and death associated with defective products,” said Case.

A summary of the FSGG Appropriations bill is available is here.

This measure now moves to the full U.S. Senate for consideration.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Sean Casten (IL-06)

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (USVI)