WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Representative Lou Correa (CA-46) released the following statement after voting ‘no’ on H.R. 8595, the FY27 National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, which cuts diplomatic and humanitarian tools America relies on to maintain soft power. Correa also voted ‘no' on the Massie Amendment to H.R. 8595.
"The U.S. should work to maintain and strengthen our global influence, particularly through soft power; this bill does the opposite. It walks away from the partners and programs that keep threats away from our doorstep. Diplomacy is how America leads, how we build trust with our allies, and how we counter the influence of countries like China and Russia. Once we walk away from that, we don't get it back overnight – and our adversaries are more than happy to fill the gap we leave behind.
"This amendment is so vaguely written that it could have broad, unintended consequences. Written the way it is, it could shut down embassy operations, block funding for humanitarian aid helping refugees resettle, halt educational and cultural exchanges, and cut support for the Palestinian security forces currently operating in the West Bank. This amendment leaves far too much room for interpretation, and I can't vote for poorly crafted legislation that could unintentionally cut funding for critical humanitarian aid programs.”