Written Testimony of Liz Schrayer, President and CEO of the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs

Chairman Diaz-Balart, Ranking Member Frankel: On behalf of the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition, thank you for the opportunity to testify about the important resources and programs in the National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs (NSRP) Appropriations bill.

The strong bipartisan support for the final FY26 NSRP Appropriations bill demonstrates clearly that Members on both sides see effective, accountable diplomacy and international assistance as essential for America to compete and win in the world. As Congress turns to the FY27 appropriations process, we ask that at a minimum you sustain funding for the International Affairs Budget at no less than the FY26 enacted level of $51.3 billion – including at least $50 billion for the FY27 NSRP Appropriations bill – and conduct robust oversight to ensure that appropriated international assistance funds are spent effectively, transparently, and in a manner consistent with Congressional intent.

USGLC’s broad-based coalition of businesses, faith-based and non-profit organizations, veterans, farmers, mayors, and community leaders across the country is grateful for the longstanding bipartisan support in Congress for America’s diplomatic and international assistance programs and for your personal leadership in advancing it. At the core of this support is a shared belief: taxpayer resources must be deployed strategically, effectively, and accountably to advance American interests. That is why our coalition welcomed the bipartisan, bicameral agreement on a full-year FY26 NSRP Appropriations bill that gives America the tools to counter our rivals, stand with our allies, keep threats at bay, save lives, and protect our national and economic security.

In the weeks and months ahead, Congress has an opportunity to build on this momentum and chart a meaningful path forward for FY27 – one that continues to elevate diplomacy and international assistance as indispensable instruments of American power, enabling the United States to shape the world in ways that directly benefit the American people and advance our values.

Safer World, Safer America

As global threats intensify and geopolitical rivals grow more aggressive, America must leverage all elements of national power – including diplomatic, security, humanitarian, economic development, and global health – to keep Americans safe and our nation secure.

Here are three concrete examples of how U.S. international assistance can be strategically brought to bear to address significant threats to America’s national security:

• With 318 million people worldwide facing acute hunger, food insecurity acts as a threat multiplier that fuels violence, conflict, and instability in regions vital to American interests – like the Sahel, the Middle East, and the Caribbean Basin. American farmers supply 40% of U.S. international food assistance, creating a global demand for American-grown crops while fostering stability and supporting strategic U.S. allies and partners.
• S. investments in global health remain one of the most cost-effective ways to protect Americans at home by stopping diseases at their source. In just the past two years, U.S. global health initiatives helped contain nearly 250 outbreaks – from cholera to mpox and measles – across more than 40 countries.
• Drawing on the capabilities of U.S. international assistance agencies like the DFC, MCC, USTDA, and EXIM to accelerate access to critical mineral supply chains strengthens U.S. economic security by reducing reliance on adversaries and protecting America’s technological edge.

Importantly, the final FY26 NSRP Appropriations bill recognized the need for a comprehensive approach to advancing America’s national security interests – minimizing cuts to critical programs while aligning resources with strategic priorities. Congress has an opportunity to build on this progress in FY27 through strengthened investments paired with smart modernization, enhanced capacity, and sufficient personnel to execute on America’s core diplomatic and national security mission.

Stronger Influence on the World Stage

Americans today live in a world more interconnected than at any time in our history, so it comes as no surprise that a recent McLaughlin & Associates poll found that 77% of Americans support U.S. international assistance when it is a strategic investment in strengthening our influence and interests abroad. The reality is: America cannot afford to cede ground at a time when China is taking full advantage of every opportunity to replace us and grow its own influence in strategically important regions of the world.

Effectively countering China’s Belt and Road Initiative – which Beijing expanded by 75% last year, investing more than $210 billion – will be critical to keep the U.S. from being boxed out of emerging markets in countries of strategic interest like Djibouti, Indonesia, and Peru. As Beijing works to capitalize on perceived gaps in U.S. engagement, America’s development and diplomatic presence is essential to maintaining partnerships built on transparency, sustainability, and shared values.

We also know that healthier, more stable countries make stronger and more reliable partners. Lifesaving global health programs such as PEPFAR, the Global Fund, the President’s Malaria Initiative, and Gavi generate goodwill and support from partner countries to advance U.S. foreign policy, economic, and national security priorities and prioritize self-reliance. Congress reaffirmed its commitment to America’s global health leadership in the FY26 NSRP Appropriations bill, which sustains funding for global health programs and includes strong language on oversight and the execution of funds in a manner that is consistent with Congressional intent.

At the same time, the success of these efforts depends on a strong and engaged U.S. presence abroad. Unfortunately, right now over 100 U.S. embassies worldwide are operating without a Senate-confirmed ambassador. As former SOUTHCOM Commander General Laura Richardson, U.S. Army (Ret.), and I wrote in an op-ed last month, “Vacancies such as these create strategic blind spots. When the U.S. fails to show up, our ability to preempt and respond in moments of crisis – and our credibility with allies – suffers.”

More Prosperity and More American Jobs

At a time when economic security is national security, U.S. international assistance expands economic opportunity here at home – helping build stable economies, pro-business policies, and the strong foundation that support millions of American jobs here at home and over a trillion dollars in exports annually.

For example, the U.S. Trade & Development Agency (USTDA) generates $226 in exports of U.S.-manufactured goods and services for every $1 programmed for priority infrastructure projects in emerging markets. Additionally, the Global Fund has procured more than $3.5 billion in goods and services from U.S. companies since 2010, including lifesaving innovations like advanced insecticide-treated bed nets that help prevent malaria by repelling and killing mosquitos and reducing mosquito fertility.

International assistance is also central to America’s strategy to secure critical supply chains. Today, minerals-based industries contribute more than $4 trillion to the U.S. economy, yet China dominates global processing – controlling roughly 60% of refining capacity and supplying about 90% of processed rare earth elements. As the U.S. works to counter China’s control of global critical minerals, investing in smart bets – like rule of law and economic development, human capital and workforce development, food security, and health – will be critical in resource-rich countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America to help secure reliable access to resources that power our economy and national defense.

America’s economic security is top of mind for bipartisan Members of Congress, who have long understood that we must leverage both trade and effective international assistance to ensure our economy remains number one in the world.

Reforms to Maximize Impact

Our coalition welcomes the ongoing and robust discussions happening in Congress and the Administration on the future of U.S. international assistance. To contribute to this important conversation, USGLC released our Blueprint for America to Win in the World outlining several actionable recommendations to maximize the impact of U.S. international assistance – ensuring it is results driven, strategically leveraged, and catalytic in paying dividends for the American people.

We are encouraged that ideas from the Blueprint have been embraced by bipartisan policymakers, including:

• Compact Approach: Taking a page from MCC’s proven model of negotiated compacts, this country partnership approach is being utilized in other areas of international assistance and is a key feature of the Administration’s America First Global Health Strategy. With its focus on burden-sharing and tangible results, this model offers significant benefits. At the same time, its success depends on effective implementation; robust transparency and accountability; private sector, non-profit, and civil society engagement; and robust safeguards to ensure American taxpayer resources are well-spent.
• Private Sector Engagement: Unleashing the power of the private sector has the ability to drive real economic growth globally that benefits America. From development finance to global health, we are seeing that American companies both large and small are eager to meaningfully partner with the U.S. government to expand investment, accelerate innovation, and deliver results more efficiently and at scale.
• One American Brand: Maximizing the visibility of America’s generosity by branding U.S. assistance with the American flag is a common-sense initiative that has been embraced by both the Trump Administration and bipartisan Members of Congress.

Our coalition looks forward to continued engagement with bipartisan Members of Congress and Administration officials on how these and other smart ideas can inform ongoing efforts to modernize and improve these tools.

Charting a Strategic Path Forward  

At a moment of rising global competition and growing instability, diplomacy and international assistance are not a peripheral expense – they are a strategic necessity.

The passage of the final FY26 NSRP Appropriations bill was an important bipartisan achievement. It is also a first step. Now, Congress and the Administration must work together on implementation – ensuring appropriated resources are spent in a timely manner and as intended.

This requires transparency, timely communication with Congress, and robust monitoring and oversight of both resources and programs. It also requires predictability and consistency in funding and its execution so that governments, implementing partners, and private sector stakeholders can plan effectively and maximize impact.

It is only through sustained, strategic investments – paired with strong accountability – that Congress can ensure taxpayer dollars advance America’s security, prosperity, and leadership in the world. With millions of lives on the line and American resources and credibility at stake, we simply cannot afford to get this wrong.

In the coming weeks and months, our coalition looks forward to partnering with you in this critical effort to ensure strategic investments in diplomacy and international assistance continue to be a win for America.

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