House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole (R-OK), along with Vice Chair and National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Subcommittee Chairman Mario Díaz-Balart (R-FL), and Legislative Branch Subcommittee Vice Chair Riley Moore (R-WV), have expressed support for U.S. military strikes against ISIS in Nigeria.
In a joint statement, the lawmakers said: “Red lines are kept under President Trump. Nigeria is the most dangerous place on Earth to follow Christ, and faith and humanity must be protected. Islamic terrorists will not overrule national security, religious freedom, and the right to worship. We were on the ground – we heard and saw firsthand of the failures to stop extremism and systemic violence against innocent people. These strikes send a clear and unmistakable message: America will stand with persecuted believers, confront evil, and hold terrorists accountable. Radical jihadist networks remain an active and evolving threat to U.S. national security and global stability. Failure to confront them emboldens violence and their calls to export terror beyond their borders. We support the President’s decisive action to defend innocent lives, uphold religious liberty, and ensure terrorists know there are consequences for their atrocities. Peace through strength is not just a saying – it is the foundation of effective deterrence and lasting security.”
The statement follows President Trump’s recent call-to-action that included redesignating Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern due to ongoing anti-Christian violence. In response, Díaz-Balart led a bipartisan delegation from the House Appropriations Committee on a fact-finding mission in Nigeria where members met with victims of violence as well as government officials, faith leaders, and local organizations.
Committee members—including Representatives Scott Franklin (R-FL), Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ), and Riley Moore—participated in this mission aimed at assessing religious persecution in Nigeria.
The committee has also conducted briefings on the situation in Nigeria. A report with recommendations is expected that will address protection for civilians, promotion of security measures, economic stability initiatives, defense of religious liberty rights, and strategies targeting terrorist groups.
The House Committee on Appropriations was established in 1865 when appropriating duties were separated from those handled by the Committee on Ways and Means (official website). The committee oversees annual federal spending measures through its 12 subcommittees covering different areas of government funding (official website). It operates within the legislative branch (official website) with leadership positions including chairman Tom Cole (official website), who is noted as the 43rd person to serve in this role (official website).
The committee influences policy by passing funding legislation such as annual spending bills that support various federal activities (official website).
