This bill is Congress's annual funding plan for America's international operations and diplomacy for 2026. Think of it as the budget that keeps our State Department running and funds the various programs the U.S. uses to engage with the rest of the world.

The money goes to several main areas. First, it funds the basic operations of the State Department—the diplomats, embassies, and staff who handle our relationships with other countries and international organizations. Second, it pays for programs designed to promote American values and interests abroad, like international broadcasting (Voice of America and similar outlets), educational exchange programs, and organizations that promote democracy and religious freedom around the world. Third, it funds assistance programs that help other countries develop economically and improve their institutions, including the Peace Corps and various development finance organizations that help American businesses invest overseas.

The bill also funds several specialized commissions that monitor specific issues—like religious freedom globally, human rights, and U.S.-China relations. Additionally, it provides money for foreign aid and security assistance to countries that are strategic partners or allies of the United States. Essentially, this bill determines how much the U.S. government spends on diplomacy, international development, cultural exchange, and promoting American interests around the world. The bill also includes rules about how all this money can and cannot be used.

National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2026

Diaz-Balart, Mario

National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2026This bill provides FY2026 appropriations for national security, the Department of State, and related programs.The bill provides appropriations to the State Department for<ul><li>Administration of Foreign Affairs,</li><li>International Organizations, and</li><li>International Commissions.</li></ul>The bill provides appropriations for related programs, including<ul><li>International Broadcasting Operations and Capital Improvements,</li><li>the Asia Foundation,</li><li>the U.S. Institute of Peace,</li><li>the Center for Middle Eastern-Western Dialogue Trust Fund,</li><li>the Eisenhower Exchange Fellowship Program,</li><li>the Israeli Arab Scholarship Program,</li><li>the East-West Center, and</li><li>the National Endowment for Democracy.</li></ul>The bill provides appropriations for other commissions, including<ul><li>the Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad,</li><li>the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom,</li><li>the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe,</li><li>the Congressional-Executive Commission on the People's Republic of China, and&nbsp;</li><li>the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission.</li></ul>The bill provides appropriations to<ul><li>the House Democracy Partnership,</li><li>the President for Administration of Assistance,</li><li>the State Department and the President for International Security Assistance, and</li><li>International Financial Institutions for Multilateral Assistance.</li></ul>The bill provides appropriations for bilateral economic assistance, including programs and activities conducted by<ul><li>the President;</li><li>Independent Agencies, including the Peace Corps, the Millennium Challenge Corporation, the Inter-American Foundation, and the U.S. African Development Foundation; and</li><li>the Department of the Treasury.</li></ul>The bill provides appropriations for export and investment assistance to<ul><li>the Export-Import Bank of the United States,</li><li>the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation, and</li><li>the U.S. Trade and Development Agency.</li></ul>The bill sets forth requirements and restrictions for using funds provided by this and other appropriations acts.