Diaz-Balart, Mario

Mario Díaz-Balart represents Florida's 26th congressional district and serves as chair of the Defense, National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Subcommittee. As chair of this subcommittee, he controls the federal budget process for the State Department, defense agencies, and related national security programs—wielding significant power over which diplomatic and military priorities receive funding and how much Congress allocates to each. This position places him at the center of decisions affecting U.S. foreign policy spending and national security investments.

Díaz-Balart was born in Fort Lauderdale in 1961 to Cuban immigrant parents and brings a family background deeply connected to Cuban and Latin American affairs. He studied political science at the University of South Florida and began his career in public service as an aide to Miami's mayor in 1985, the same year he switched his party affiliation from Democratic to Republican. His brother Lincoln also served in Congress representing Florida. Since his election to the House in 2002, he has become the longest-serving member of Florida's congressional delegation following Representative Alcee Hastings's death in 2021.

As subcommittee chair, Díaz-Balart has advanced legislation including the National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act and sponsored bills addressing national security priorities such as the Muslim Brotherhood Terrorist Designation Act of 2025. His legislative focus reflects his committee's jurisdiction over foreign aid, diplomatic operations, and defense spending. His tenure in Congress and current leadership role position him as a key voice in shaping U.S. spending on international relations and military readiness.