Congress is currently pushing forward with spending bills for fiscal year 2026, which include substantial staffing cuts, particularly impacting the State Department and foreign operations. The Republican State and Foreign Operations Bill has drawn criticism for potentially endangering Americans and reducing U.S. leadership abroad. The proposed federal funding plans allocate billions to the FBI and Israel while significantly slashing funding for climate programs and foreign aid. Notably, the House bill also backs the closure of USAID, reflecting a trend of cutting support for international initiatives. As the appropriations process begins, lawmakers face backlash for the unprecedented 22 percent cuts to vital programs, raising concerns about national security and diplomatic effectiveness.