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
Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart (FL-26) authored an op-ed for the Washington Examiner concerning his State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs funding bill for fiscal year 2025. This legislation, which funds national security and foreign policy priorities, aims to cut wasteful spending while upholding key U.S. values. The bill includes an 11% reduction from the fiscal year 2024 enacted levels and seeks to reestablish American leadership.
Díaz-Balart wrote, "In the Biden-Harris economy, Americans have to do more with less while eliminating nonessentials. The government can do the same." As chairman of the State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Subcommittee, he emphasized that prioritizing national security is essential in determining the foreign affairs budget.
He questioned several current funding allocations: "Does providing billions to support a radical climate change agenda without measurable results... further national security? Does funding the antisemitic, anti-American United Nations Relief and Works Agency... promote our values?" He concluded that these expenditures do not serve national interests.
The bill proposes full funding of $3.3 billion for Israel under the Memorandum of Understanding and supports efforts related to the Abraham Accords. It allocates $2.1 billion to counter Chinese aggression in Asia and provides financial support for Taiwan's self-defense.
Additionally, it includes $50 million conditioned on democratic reforms in Venezuela and $35 million each for democracy assistance in Cuba and objective information dissemination through the Office of Cuba Broadcasting.
Díaz-Balart stated that achieving these goals requires smart spending: "We can achieve all of this and more while still spending 11% less than the previous year."
H.R.8771 was passed by the House in June. Díaz-Balart urged readers to review its text and work towards Senate approval.
Mario Díaz-Balart is a U.S. representative for Florida’s 26th Congressional District, a senior member of the House Committee on Appropriations, and chairman of the State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Subcommittee.
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