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May 16 – May 22
"It is time to show how foreign assistance can be an accountable and effective component of an America First Foreign Policy." - Secretary Rubio
Here's what happened at State this week. ⤵️
- 💬 Secretary Rubio appeared before four congressional committees on Capitol Hill to outline how the State Department's budget will strengthen our security and promote U.S. leadership abroad.
- ✈️ Concluding a busy week of travel, Secretary Rubio attended the Pope's inaugural Mass and met with top Holy See, Italian, and Ukrainian officials.
- 📞 President Trump announced Russia and Ukraine will begin ceasefire talks following his call with President Putin.
Breaking Down the Budget on Capitol Hill
 Secretary Marco Rubio testifies before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations on the FY26 Department of State Budget Request on Capitol Hill, May 20, 2025. (State Dept./Freddie Everett)
This week, testifying before committees in both the Senate and House of Representatives on the proposed FY26 State Department budget, Secretary Rubio outlined his vision for a Department that is faster, more focused, and rooted in America's national interests. He emphasized that national security remains the federal government's most important responsibility in keeping America safe.
As a central point, the Secretary underscored that foreign aid, as a tool of our foreign policy, must be aligned with U.S. priorities. He made clear that the best foreign aid leads to an outcome where, "…at some point that country doesn't need it anymore because now they're self-sufficient."
Read more in our latest post on Substack, featuring Secretary Rubio's statement before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.
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