Rubio Testimony Prompts Questions about the Staying Power of U.S. Diplomacy and the State Department’s Compliance with the Law

Washington, D.C.—Secretary Rubio’s testimony at hearings this week on the State Department’s FY 26 budget request did not allay Human Rights First’s ongoing concerns that that request and the Secretary’s related proposal for reorganization of the State Department will significantly downgrade the ability of the U.S. Government to advance democracy and human rights in U.S. foreign policy. Meanwhile, many of the Secretary’s statements during the hearing suggested a disturbing lack of respect for U.S. law and human rights obligations. 

As Human Rights First President and CEO Uzra Zeya emphasized during her recent congressional testimony, the work of advancing democracy and human rights is vital to supporting the security, prosperity, and global leadership of the United States. Secretary Rubio’s strong reaffirmation of his proposal to collapse functional bureaus and offices responsible for these issues into already overtaxed regional bureaus will bury human rights considerations under short-term diplomatic gambits. “The Secretary’s budget proposal eliminates any funding dedicated specifically to helping those seeking to advance democratic values and human rights in their own countries,” said Zeya. “Zeroing out this funding defies decades of bipartisan support, undermines our allies, and gives an unprecedented free pass to authoritarians, from Beijing to Moscow to Tehran.” 

The Secretary’s statements and the administration’s funding proposal also raise a number of additional concerns. The plan to devote monies appropriated for humanitarian purposes to deport U.S.-based migrants is patently illegal and flies in the face of congressional intent.

“Secretary Rubio’s refusal to provide information about any efforts to comply with the U.S. Supreme Court’s order to facilitate the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia and his glib reiteration of Salvadoran president Bukele’s false claim that Senator Van Hollen and Mr. Abrego Garcia enjoyed margaritas during their brief meeting are deeply troubling,” said Zeya. “Similarly, his failure to provide specific justification for the revocation of the visas of foreign students like Tufts graduate student Rümeysa Öztürk underscore how such actions clearly contravene the freedom of expression and due process guarantees provided to such persons under U.S. law.”