USGLC

International Affairs Budget Update

July 29, 2026

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I.     House Passes Nine-Week Continuing Resolution, Eyes Turn to the Senate

In an effort to get ahead of the September 30 funding deadline, the House passed a short-term Continuing Resolution (CR) by a vote of 220-205 that extends current funding levels for nine weeks while Congress continues work on full-year FY27 appropriations bills.

Specifically, the CR extends FY26 funding levels for federal departments and agencies – including for the State Department and other development agencies – through December 4, into the lame duck session following the midterm elections.

Although the measure was largely a “clean” CR, most House Democrats opposed it citing several concerns, including the absence of anomalies – targeted funding adjustments or policy exceptions that are often included in negotiated stopgap spending bills.

Attention now shifts to the Senate, where appropriators are developing their own short-term CR aimed at attracting bipartisan support before the end of the fiscal year.

II.     House Approves FY27 National Security & State Department Appropriations Bill

On July 15, the House approved its FY27 National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs (NSRP) Appropriations bill on a largely party-line vote of 217-209. The SAVE America Act was attached to the bill following House passage, further complicating its path in the Senate. This is the third FY27 appropriations bill approved by the House this year, following passage of the Agriculture and Military Construction–Veterans Affairs bills earlier this spring.

As a reminder, the bill provides $47.3 billion for the State Department, international assistance programs, and related agencies—approximately 5% (-$2.7 billion) below the FY26 enacted level, but substantially above the Administration’s FY27 request.

A total of 29 amendments were made in order for floor consideration, including several that would have reduced the bill’s overall funding level or cut funding for programs that support America’s security and economic interests. Of note:

• An amendment offered by Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) to cut $2.1 billion from several accounts—including Global Health Programs, National Security Investment Programs, and Nonproliferation, Anti-Terrorism, Demining, and Related Programs—was rejected, 6-421.
• An amendment offered by Rep. Massie that would have eliminated all funding for Israel and reduced Foreign Military Financing (FMF) by $3.3 billion was rejected, 104-314.
• Despite being made in order, amendments to eliminate funding for the Peace Corps and the Millennium Challenge Corporation were not offered.

III.     Administration Sends Congress Emergency Supplemental Funding Request

On Wednesday, June 24, the Administration sent Congress an $87.6 billion emergency supplemental request to help cover costs associated with the Iran conflict, to respond to the Ebola outbreak in Central Africa, and to provide assistance to American farmers.

The Administration is requesting $3.36 billion for the State Department and international assistance, which represents 4% of the total.

Select Highlights

Ebola Response

The supplemental request includes $1.44 billion to respond to the Ebola outbreak in Central Africa:

• Humanitarian Assistance: $800 million for the International Humanitarian Assistance account to support the humanitarian response, including the Administration’s Ebola quarantine facility in Kenya.
• Global Health: $550 million for Global Health Security activities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, and other vulnerable countries. According to the Administration, funds would “support contact tracing, personal protective equipment and commodity procurement, disease surveillance, laboratory capacity, and cross-border coordination.”
• Consular Emergencies: $90 million for the Emergencies in the Diplomatic and Consular Service account, which – according to the Administration –would support “unanticipated needs related to the Ebola situation including for the medical evacuation of U.S. citizens.”

Middle East Security

The Administration’s emergency supplemental includes $1.92 billion to cover key expenses associated with military operations in Iran:

• Diplomatic Programs: $1.5 billion for the Diplomatic Programs account, including $1.4 billion for Worldwide Security Protection programs that fund security for American diplomats and facilities around the world, and $850 million for the Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems program that works to detect and address drone threats to American personnel and facilities abroad.
• Embassy Security: This request includes $300 million for the Embassy Security, Construction, and Maintenance account. According to the Administration, funds would address emergency security needs at U.S. missions in Bahrain, Dubai, Karachi, Lahore, Riyadh, and other locations.
• Consular Emergencies: $100 million for the Emergencies in the Diplomatic and Consular Service account, which – according to the Administration – would support “unanticipated needs related to the situation in the Middle East including for departure assistance to U.S. citizens seeking to leave the region with their families.”

General Provisions

The supplemental request also includes two general provisions that would allow the U.S. Development Finance Corporation (DFC) to invest in Venezuela and give the Administration expanded authority to establish enterprise funds globally.

IV.     What’s Next

Congressional reaction to the supplemental request has been mixed. Republicans have generally supported the request, although some have called for greater transparency regarding the costs, objectives, and implementation of military operations in Iran. Many Democrats have questioned the need for additional emergency funding, arguing that previously appropriated funds could address many of the proposed activities.

On July 21, the Senate Appropriations Committee held a hearing to review the Administration’s supplemental request with testimony from key Administration officials – including Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine. As Secretary of State Marco Rubio did not testify, discussion of the international affairs portion of the request was limited.

Before adjourning for the August recess, House Republicans adopted a Budget Resolution that will allow work to begin on a new $95 billion reconciliation package incorporating the military and farm relief funding requested in the supplemental.