Congressman Mark Alford announced on Apr. 29 that the House Appropriations Committee has passed the National Security, State Department, and Related Programs funding bill for fiscal year 2027.
The bill is significant because it includes several provisions aimed at advancing what Alford described as President Trump’s America First agenda. The legislation proposes a $2.69 billion reduction in spending compared to last year while maintaining support for allies such as Israel, Jordan, Egypt, and Taiwan. It also contains measures intended to hold countries like China and Iran accountable.
“This FY2027 National Security, State Department, and Related Programs bill advances President Trump’s America First agenda,” said Congressman Alford. “We’re cutting spending $2.69 billion below last year’s level while delivering robust support for key allies like Israel, Jordan, Egypt, and Taiwan and holding adversaries like Communist China and Iran accountable. This legislation prioritizes fiscal responsibility, protects American taxpayer dollars, promotes self-sufficiency in foreign assistance, and ensures our foreign policy strengthens U.S. national security.”
The legislation includes a provision to increase accountability for grantees of the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), following concerns about domestic programming by entities receiving taxpayer funds such as the Global Disinformation Index. It also eliminates federal funding for the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) while creating new broadcasting programs under State Department oversight.
Other priorities secured by Alford include requirements that more foreign assistance be spent on goods made in America; provisions encouraging partner nations to share more health policy costs; steps to ensure timely processing of visas and passports ahead of Kansas City hosting this summer’s World Cup; funding national security investment programs within the State Department; and language urging protection of American defense manufacturing from foreign influence.
Mark Alford is currently serving in Congress representing Missouri’s 4th district after replacing Vicky Hartzler in 2023 according to Ballotpedia. He was born in Baytown, Texas in 1963 and now lives in Lake Winnebago as reported by House.gov. Alford graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1988 according to Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
