Diaz-Balart: ‘Americans deserve better than a weak and confused foreign policy’ | Opinion
As chairman of the subcommittee that provides funds for our national security and foreign policy, I am proud of the State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs portion of the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024, for reestablishing American leadership where it has been severely lacking for the last four years.
This important legislation advances freedom, manifests strong solidarity with our allies, and stands firm against the malign forces that undermine U.S. national security, all while cutting overall spending by 6% from last year’s level. After the Biden administration’s disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and increasing threats from the Chinese Communist Party, Americans deserve better than a weak and confused foreign policy.
For example, this legislation provides unwavering support to our key democratic ally in the Middle East, Israel, as it wages an existential battle against terrorism. It fully funds the U.S.-Israel Memorandum of Understanding at $3.3 billion, conditions any assistance to Gaza, and strengthens vetting to prevent funds from going to non-governmental organizations that support the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions movement.
As Iran seeks to destroy Israel and stoke terror through its proxies, the bill prohibits implementation of any Iran deal absent congressional approval and prohibits removing the Iranian Revolutionary Guard from the foreign terrorist organizations list.
The bill also takes a strong stand against wasteful, anti-American, and antisemitic entities within the United Nations, such as by prohibiting funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, which employed Hamas sympathizers that assisted in the terrorist attack against innocent Israelis on Oct. 7, and by blocking funds for the antisemitic Commission of Inquiry against Israel.
Similarly, this legislation holds back funds from the U.N. Human Rights Council until there is progress in both addressing its dangerous obsession with Israel and implementing meaningful reforms to begin removing the world’s worst human rights abusers from its ranks. I have said that I will take the U.N. seriously only when it takes itself seriously.
The act strongly counters the malign influence of Communist China by prohibiting all funds to it while also prohibiting funding for countries to repay debts owed to China, which has become a predatory lender to many of the world’s most vulnerable countries.
This bill also includes assistance to Taiwan by providing an unprecedented $300 million in Foreign Military Financing, and $400 million for the Countering People’s Republic of China (PRC) Influence Fund. This legislation stands solidly with Taiwan, and counters the PRC’s global, malign influence. The bill also provides $125 million to combat fentanyl trafficking and production, most of which originates in the PRC to ultimately enter the United States at the southern border. Furthermore, it prohibits funds to any entity facilitating or encouraging irresponsible and illegal migration.
Additionally, this act provides strong solidarity to those struggling for freedom and democracy in the most repressed corners of the globe, particularly within the destabilizing, dangerous, and anti-American dictatorships in our hemisphere such as Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela. The bill combats human trafficking by denying visas to governments and international organizations that facilitate the trafficking of Cuban doctors.
It also imposes strict restrictions to prevent the Biden administration from diverting Cuba democracy funding for unauthorized purposes that have no hope of promoting democracy. The United States, and indeed the world, is more secure when human rights are respected, and people are free to choose their own governments. I am proud that this crucial legislation stands with political prisoners, pro-democracy activists and all those risking their lives today in the struggle for freedom.
The State-Foreign Operations Appropriations portion addresses our most pressing foreign policy and national security priorities, while cutting wasteful and counterproductive “green” programs that impose burdensome requirements in places where they simply do not make sense. The world has become a more dangerous place since President Biden took office. This bill helps to redirect U.S. attention and resources where they belong, ensuring that American taxpayer dollars are spent wisely, efficiently and in furtherance of crucial foreign policy priorities.
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.
