U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum: Republican National Security & State Department Funding Bill 'Continues Trump's Retreat from American Diplomacy'

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The House Appropriations Committee passed the Fiscal Year 2027 National Security & Department of State funding bill on Tuesday by a vote of 35-27. Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D), the Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, voted no on the bill and spoke against what she called a "retreat from American diplomacy" during the committee hearing. Following the committee's approval of the bill, Congresswoman McCollum issued the following statement:

"It's deeply unfortunate that this bill continues President Trump's retreat from strong American diplomacy and support for development assistance. We know what happens when America retreats from the developing world: poverty, malnutrition, and disease take hold, transnational terrorism spreads, and our adversaries like Russia and China fill the void. This is a national security threat and a dark outlook for the world, and unfortunately Republicans' bill embraces it.

"Democrats and Republicans used to stand together and say: America saves lives, and we do it because it reflects our values. But this bill cuts $532 million from global health programs. Fewer mothers will survive childbirth in sub-Saharan Africa. Fewer children will be vaccinated against dangerous diseases like tuberculosis. HIV clinics in Zambia, Uganda, and the Philippines shut their doors. COVID-19 didn't knock on our door and ask permission to enter the United States. The next pandemic won't either.

"American diplomats used to walk into negotiations with credibility because the United States had a track record of showing up and keeping its word. Sadly, that has changed. This bill not only reflects that reality, it endorses it."