Indy Standard

U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Tim Kaine (D-Va.), members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, introduced the Fully Funding Our National Security Priorities Act today. The legislation aims to empower the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) by requiring them to submit an annual unfunded priorities list (UPL) to Congress. This move acknowledges the critical roles of these agencies in national security and addresses concerns that underinvestment in diplomatic and development programs weakens the U.S.'s ability to counter the People’s Republic of China (PRC), which is expanding its global diplomatic presence.

“Diplomacy is a critical component of America’s national security. Our legislation will require the State Department to provide additional transparency about its long-term priorities and planning. This bill will encourage more collaboration between the State Department and Congress to help ensure taxpayer dollars are being allocated to pressing national security needs, such as countering the Chinese Communist Party,” said Senator Young.

“China is rapidly expanding its diplomatic footprint around the world. Now is not the time to cut resources at the State Department and USAID. We should be doing the exact opposite,” said Senator Kaine. “I’m introducing this legislation to empower the State Department and USAID and provide a clearer picture to Congress of where we need to allocate resources to ensure we can effectively respond to emerging threats and global challenges.”

The Fully Funding Our National Security Priorities Act mandates that the U.S. Secretary of State and USAID Administrator submit an annual report on unfunded programs, activities, and mission requirements within their respective agencies. This practice aligns with existing procedures where military services and intelligence communities submit unfunded priorities lists as part of their annual budget process.

Young and Kaine have also filed this bill as an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act.

The bill has received endorsements from both the American Academy of Diplomacy and American Foreign Service Association.

Full text of the bill is available here.

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