Friend -
I have always loved watching the Olympics, especially the opening ceremonies - and tonight will be no different as the Winter Olympics kicks off. There is something energizing about seeing these amazing young athletes - hopeful, excited, and proud to represent their countries.

At the same time, as I watch the parade of flags, it's hard not to think about the ongoing global tensions. Though Nelson Mandela was spot on when he famously said, "sport has the power to unite in a way that little else does."

The good news from Washington is that we saw a little of that uniting spirit emerge earlier this week. A good piece of legislation that supports funding for America's international programs was finally signed into law with strong bipartisan support.

Amid difficult and important debates taking place over DHS funding, policymakers agreed to move forward on other bills, including the Fiscal Year 2026 National Security and State Department (NSRP) Appropriations bill which provides over $51 billion for smart global development, diplomacy, and assistance.

* As I said in a statement when the bill was signed into law, despite a disruptive year, "this demonstrates once again the overwhelming bipartisan view that strategic investments in diplomacy and international assistance are fundamental to America competing and winning in the world."

* The road to get here wasn't easy, and this outcome wasn't inevitable. While no compromise agreement is perfect, the final bill represents a 16% overall cut compared to a much harsher proposal of calling for a 50% cut initially requested earlier in the year.

* Thanks to the tireless efforts of bipartisan Congressional leaders--with support and encouragement from you and others across the USGLC community--these investments will now protect American interests and help save lives.

You can dive deeper into this funding package and more in the GLOBAL GAB below:

* NSRP Becomes Law
* Big Bets on Critical Minerals
* New Assistance Announced
* Diplomacy in Action
* Rep. Lee Hamilton's Legacy
* Go Team USA!

I hope you enjoy the start of the Olympics and Sunday night's Super Bowl, not to mention my favorite part - watching the ads!

With enormous thanks,

Liz
Liz Schrayer, USGLC

THE GLOBAL GAB: Assistance Budget Passes as the Winter Olympics Kick-Off
February 6, 2026

NSRP BECOMES LAW. On Tuesday, President Trump signed a full-year appropriations bill for the State Department and our international assistance programs into law - the culmination of months of bipartisan negotiations and an outcome many thought impossible only a few short weeks ago.

Looking back to the White House's initial budget request, which would have cut funding to the lowest level since before the end of World War II, this deal is significant. While the funding reductions in this bill are real, it preserves critical resources for global health, humanitarian and development assistance, food assistance, global economic tools, and support for our allies and partners.

Bipartisan negotiators emphasized the bill's achievement:

* House NSRP Chair Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL): "This full year funding really refocuses our nation's foreign policy in historic ways... The bill does more to counter our adversaries, like China, Iran, the cartels in our hemisphere, and to support our allies and friends."

* Senate Appropriations Ranking Member Brian Schatz (D-HI): "This bill is proof that there remains broad, bipartisan support for critical investments that advance our national interests and promote our values...Together, these investments will save lives, strengthen our alliances and partnerships around the world, rebuild American competitiveness, and make Americans safer at home."

This bill is an important bipartisan achievement, but it is also the first step. It will be critical for Congress and the Administration to work together on its implementation - ensuring resources are spent as intended.

>> Read USGLC's full budget breakdown and analysis of the bill here

BIG BETS ON CRITICAL MINERALS. This week, Secretary of State Marco Rubio hosted a first-of-its-kind Critical Minerals Ministerial in Washington, with representatives from over 50 countries to strengthen and diversify critical mineral supply chains.

In a new op-ed, "Big Bet Opportunities for Today's Critical Minerals Summit," USGLC CEO Liz Schrayer writes how diplomacy and international assistance matter to our critical minerals strategy and our ability to outcompete China. Some key excerpts:

* "China controls over 60% of the global supply of critical minerals and 90% of the processing capacity. That means they can control the 'critical' materials that power everything from our phones to our cars to our most sensitive defense systems."

* "To ensure America wins, it will also be important to broaden our focus to include investments in strategic international assistance alongside our big infrastructure projects... These low cost "wrap-around" investments build stability in partner countries that make American private sector investment possible, allowing our critical mineral supply to be more successful and sustainable over the long term."

There is strong bipartisan support:

* Representatives Young Kim (R-CA) and Ami Bera (D-CA) introduced the bipartisan DOMINANCE Act to build resilient critical minerals supply chains with trusted allies;

* The Administration launched Project Vault, a $12 billion strategic critical minerals stockpile to reduce reliance on China;

* At the Ministerial, the U.S. signed 11 new bilateral critical minerals frameworks - in addition to the 10 already signed in the past five months, and Vice President JD Vance said:

* "Our goal here is to align trade policy, development finance, and diplomatic engagement towards a shared strategic objective. That objective is very simple: diversifying global supply in the critical minerals market, while strengthening the partner countries who help all of us in this shared effort."

>> Read Liz Schrayer's full op-ed on Big Bets for Critical Minerals Security

NEW ASSISTANCE ANNOUNCED. The Administration recently announced new disaster response, humanitarian assistance, and infrastructure support in Africa.

* In Mozambique: Reported as one of the worst floods in a generation - destroying over 80,000 homes and impacting 700,000 people across the country - the State Department is providing $1 million in disaster response assistance to support food and water, sanitation, and hygiene to those impacted.

* In Sudan: As the humanitarian crisis intensifies, the State Department announced $200 million of humanitarian assistance to the newly-established Sudan Humanitarian Fund - part of the $2 billion pledge the Administration made to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in December.

* On the radar: U.S. Arab and African Affairs envoy Massad Boulos said a peace plan will be revealed soon by the U.S.-backed Quad (U.S., Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the UAE).

* In Cuba: The State Department announced an additional $6 million ($9 million total) of direct foreign assistance for the people of Cuba still recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Melissa last month. The life-saving food, water, hygiene, and other supplies are being distributed directly through the Catholic Church and groups like Catholic Relief Services.

* In Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Djibouti: Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau returned from a diplomatic tour this week, announcing a new Strategic Infrastructure and Investment Working Group between the U.S. and the African Union - a platform to mobilize U.S. private sector partners to accelerate Africa's development.

* ICYMI AGOA Reauthorized: This week, Congress passed, and President Trump signed, a one-year extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which has long played a vital role in strengthening U.S. economic and trade relationships with African nations - supporting 450,000 American jobs.

DIPLOMACY IN ACTION. In three of the most closely watched geopolitical hotspots - Gaza, Venezuela, and Ukraine - new developments have emerged from sustained diplomatic engagement:

* In Gaza: After being closed for nearly two years, the Rafah Crossing - the sole border crossing between Egypt and Gaza - reopened on Monday, a significant step in the continued implementation of the ceasefire deal.
* As NBC reported, the reopening enables "small numbers in need of medical aid to leave Gaza and letting some others return to the territory." The border will be open only to pedestrian passage, not humanitarian supplies.

* In Venezuela: The new U.S. envoy for Venezuela Laura Dogu arrived in Caracas this week, aiming to reopen the U.S. embassy nearly seven years after it closed.
* The State Department told CNN that Dogu will "work with individuals from the private and public sector, as well as civic society, to advance the President and Secretary's three-phased plan for Venezuela."

* In Ukraine: Following peace talks between the U.S., Ukraine, and Russia this week, U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff announced the delegations agreed to exchange 314 prisoners - the first such exchange in five months.
* Witkoff: "While significant work remains, steps like this demonstrate that sustained diplomatic engagement is delivering tangible results and advancing efforts to end the war in Ukraine."

* What to watch next week: All of these issues will be front and center at the Munich Security Conference where world leaders will gather, including Secretary Rubio, Administration officials, and a large bipartisan Congressional delegation.

REP. LEE HAMILTON'S LEGACY. The USGLC family mourns the loss of Congressman Lee Hamilton (D-IN), a foreign policy giant who championed strong, principled American leadership in the world, while serving the people of Indiana for more than three decades before becoming a founding Co-Chair of USGLC's Indiana State Advisory Committee alongside Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN).

* As he wrote in an op-ed just last year, "Foreign aid is a key tool of foreign policy. It's not just charity. It's how we exercise 'soft power,' maintaining relationships and strengthening our influence around the world."

>> Read Liz Schrayer's statement honoring Congressman Hamilton here

GO TEAM USA. USGLC is excited to cheer on Team USA at the Winter Olympics in Milan over the next few weeks. Sports is something that unites us in a divided world, and ahead of Super Bowl Sunday, the State Department had its own sports announcement - a partnership with the National Football League to collaborate on major sporting events like the Super Bowl and the debut of flag football at the 2028 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

* Undersecretary of State Sarah Rogers: "The State Department is proud to partner with the National Football League to highlight American excellence through sports diplomacy, growing the uniquely American game of football to new audiences, new markets and new international fans."

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