WASHINGTON, DC – Liz Schrayer, President and CEO of the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition (USGLC) released the following statement on the release of a bipartisan, bicameral agreement on the Fiscal Year 2026 National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations bill:

“This bipartisan deal is an important statement that strategic investments in diplomacy and international assistance are central to America’s national security and economic interests, demonstrating how our nation wins in the world.

We applaud the Congressional leaders from both parties who worked tirelessly on behalf of the American people to craft an agreement for how we can and must invest in smart, effective, and transparent diplomacy, economic and development assistance, alongside global health and humanitarian assistance, that helps save lives, prevent costly wars, stop threats from reaching our shores, and keep our economy number one.

While no compromise is perfect and there are certainly additional needs to be addressed to advance American interests abroad, this deal minimizes cuts, protects funding for critical programs, and reaffirms Congress’s spending authority. It also rejects other harsher proposals that would have undercut America’s global footprint at a time when our rivals like China, Russia, and Iran are eager to step into the void.

We urge Congress to act swiftly to approve this bipartisan compromise ahead of the January 30 funding deadline. America’s ability to lead and win in an increasingly competitive world depends on it.”

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