National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs

The National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Subcommittee is a specialized division of the House Appropriations Committee responsible for deciding how much money goes to the State Department, foreign aid agencies, and related international programs. As a subcommittee, it conducts initial hearings and reviews legislation before sending recommendations to the full Appropriations Committee, which has final authority to report bills to the House floor. This narrow focus allows members to develop expertise in foreign policy spending and oversight.

The subcommittee controls funding for major agencies including the State Department, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the Peace Corps, the Export-Import Bank, and international financial institutions. It also oversees military aid to allies, development assistance, and diplomatic operations worldwide. The subcommittee was renamed in 2025 to emphasize that its spending decisions support U.S. national security interests.

The subcommittee is chaired by Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL) with Ranking Member Lois Frankel (D-FL) leading the Democratic members. Both representatives are from Florida and have worked together on foreign policy matters. The 11-member panel includes members from both parties who bring expertise in defense, international affairs, and fiscal oversight.

In the 2026 fiscal year cycle, the subcommittee held multiple hearings including a Member Day hearing where Congress members presented priorities, an Outside Witness Day hearing with organizations, and a budget hearing with Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The subcommittee marked up and approved the FY2026 appropriations bill in July 2025, which was subsequently passed by the full committee and the House.