Mario Díaz-Balart U.S. House of Representatives from Florida | Official U.S. House Headshot
Mario Díaz-Balart U.S. House of Representatives from Florida | Official U.S. House Headshot
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart (FL-26), Chairman of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Subcommittee of the House Committee on Appropriations, released a statement today following the unveiling of the fiscal year 2025 funding legislation.
“As Chairman of the Subcommittee that funds our national security and foreign policy priorities, I am proud to release the fiscal year 2025 funding legislation which builds on the policy wins of fiscal year 2024 enacted bill, particularly cutting wasteful spending by including a 19% reduction from the President’s budget, and an 11% reduction from fiscal year 2024 enacted levels,” said Díaz-Balart. “This legislation continues reestablishing American leadership where it has been severely lacking under the current Administration, and continues upholding key U.S. priorities by supporting allies such as Israel and Taiwan, and countering adversaries such as Communist China, the terrorist states of Iran and Cuba, and terrorist organizations such as Hamas and Hezbollah.”
The proposed legislation includes significant budget cuts aimed at reducing wasteful spending:
- Cutting $7.6 billion (11%) below the Fiscal Year 2024 enacted level and $12.26 billion (19%) below the President’s Budget Request.
- Eliminating funding for the United Nations’ regular budget, resulting in savings of $761.6 million.
- Prohibiting funds for organizations like UNFPA, WHO, and the Gender Equity and Equality Action Fund.
- Reducing or eliminating funding for 36 accounts to either at or below FY19 levels.
- Terminating more than 18 programs including OECD, UNESCO, UN Women, UN Montreal Protocol, UN Environment Fund, and World Economic Forum.
- Prohibiting funding for Special Envoys unless expressly authorized or approved by the Senate.
- Cutting funds for climate-related initiatives like Green Climate Fund and Clean Technology Fund.
The bill also emphasizes national security measures:
- Prohibiting funding that encourages migration towards the U.S.-Mexico border.
- Prioritizing efforts to combat fentanyl flow into the United States.
Support for allies is a key component:
- Providing $3.3 billion for Israel through the Foreign Military Financing Program.
- Prohibiting funds for certain international courts and agencies perceived as biased against Israel.
- Allocating $2.1 billion to counter PRC influence in Indo-Pacific regions.
- Including $500 million in military financing for Taiwan with additional loans up to $2 billion.
Further provisions aim to promote freedom and democracy while safeguarding taxpayer dollars:
- Funding democracy programs in Cuba ($35 million), Venezuela ($50 million), and Nicaragua ($15 million).
- Requiring reports on bilateral relations with Colombia under Petro Administration policies.
Additional measures include protections for life values:
- Maintaining pro-life protections.
- Applying expanded Mexico City Policy on health funds.
- Supporting religious freedom programs abroad.
A summary of this bill is available online along with its full text. The Subcommittee Markup can be viewed through provided links.
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