Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart (FL-26), Dean of the Florida Delegation and Vice Chair of the House Committee on Appropriations, issued a statement following President Trump’s 2026 State of the Union address. Díaz-Balart praised President Trump’s actions during his first year in office.
“President Trump has delivered a historic first year in office –– keeping his promises and restoring strong American leadership.
At the heart of his agenda is the well-being of the American people. From ending woke radical policies, unleashing American energy, securing the border, reducing crime, rebuilding our military, ending eight wars, and eliminating wasteful spending to reviving the U.S. economy, President Trump has focused on putting more money back into the pockets of hardworking Americans.
I am proud to have worked alongside President Trump to pass the America First ‘Working Families Tax Cuts’ bill to his desk for signature. As families in Florida’s 26th Congressional District file their taxes, they will see the results: lower taxes, stronger small businesses, enhanced national security, and a Florida that remains strong and prosperous.”
The Working Families Tax Cuts include deductions for seniors—$6,000 for individuals and $12,000 for couples—and tax cuts for those earning under $100,000. The legislation provides an average 15% tax cut for people making between $55,000 and $80,000 per year. It also eliminates taxes on tips and overtime pay and is estimated to save about $1,500 annually per household.
Other provisions make permanent an expanded Child Tax Credit at $2,200 indexed for inflation and extend paid leave tax credits. The law supports American jobs with incentives such as a $10,000 tax break on loans for Made in America vehicles and allows double expensing for small businesses. There are also measures encouraging investment in domestic manufacturing through full expensing of new factories.
In healthcare policy, the package includes a $50 billion investment in rural healthcare facilities. It aims to remove unauthorized individuals from Medicaid rolls while maintaining benefits for eligible Americans.
The legislation also addresses infrastructure by modernizing air traffic control systems and replacing outdated technology while investing in workforce training programs. According to Díaz-Balart’s statement, these efforts are intended to keep gas prices low and reduce inflation by cutting what he described as “wasteful spending,” including reductions in funding for certain news organizations and foreign aid programs.
Díaz-Balart has represented Florida’s 26th District in Congress since 2003 after serving previously in both chambers of Florida’s state legislature from 1988 to 2000. He was born in Fort Lauderdale in 1961 and lives in Miami. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of South Florida.
