Diaz-Balart: This Spending Package is a Tremendous Win for Our Nation’s Defense and National Security

For Immediate Release
March 9, 2022
Contact: Laura Hernandez
(202) 225-4211

Diaz-Balart: This Spending Package is a Tremendous Win for Our Nation’s Defense and National Security

WASHINGTON, D.C.– Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-25), Ranking Member of the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Subcommittee on Appropriations, issued the following statement after House passage of the FY2022 funding bill.

“This year’s spending package is a tremendous win for our nation’s defense priorities and national security interests. As I have always stated, our nation’s defense is not just a budgetary issue but an absolute necessity. This year’s funding for the Department of Defense boosts our military budget by roughly $29 billion more than the Biden Administration had allotted and $4 billion above the authorized amount. At a time of conflict and uncertainty worldwide, we urgently need to maintain American dominance in the global arena. This funding will ensure that our nation has the resources it needs to continue building a strong, robust national defense that serves as the cornerstone of America’s security.

“On that same note, this legislation also includes nearly $14 billion in emergency aid for Ukraine. These dollars will provide critical military, economic, and humanitarian assistance to help counter Russian aggression.

“At a time when Democrats control the House, Senate, and White House, Republican Appropriators were successful in securing conservative priorities in this year’s spending bill, while significantly reducing non-defense discretionary spending by roughly $38.5 billion, compared to the House-passed bills. I am also exceedingly proud to have defended and maintained ALL long-standing pro-life protections, including the Hyde Amendment, which has enjoyed bipartisan support for nearly 50 years, despite House Democratic Leadership’s continuous efforts to eliminate these protections.

“On non-defense discretionary spending, while slashing the administration’s requested increase in domestic funding by nearly two-thirds, I was able to secure necessary dollars for our community, specifically in District 25. I am especially proud of the $5 million secured for much-needed infrastructure improvements to a wastewater treatment plant and master pump station in Everglades City and Chokoloskee, which were both damaged after Hurricane Irma. In addition to funding for infrastructure projects in Sweetwater, Doral, Immokalee, Clewiston, and Harlem.

“Although not perfect, these bills are a huge win for Republicans who were successful in eliminating left-wing, radical policies while prioritizing funding to enhance our infrastructure, reinforce our military, strengthen our national security, bolster school safety initiatives, and support our nation’s veterans.”

Congressman Diaz-Balart, a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, successfully included the following local projects and legislative priorities in the 2022 appropriations omnibus.