Díaz-Balart Secures $42.2M for Miami-Dade and Collier & Provision Blocking State Sponsors of Terrorism from Accessing U.S. Facilities in FY27 THUD Funding Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart (FL-26), Vice Chair of the House Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement after the House Appropriations Committee approved the Fiscal Year 2027 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) Appropriations bill.

Vice Chair Díaz-Balart said, "Across Florida's 26^th District, communities will gain from critical investments that strengthen infrastructure, improve public safety, and expand essential services. This funding, which I secured, will help meet local needs while delivering lasting benefits for residents throughout our district.

At the same time, this legislation continues to prioritize our national security, modernize infrastructure, and support the essential services that Americans depend on every day. I am grateful for the leadership of Chairman Tom Cole and Subcommittee Chairman Steve Womack in advancing this important measure through committee.

I remain committed to supporting measures that strengthen our national security, safeguard American taxpayer dollars, and deliver results for the American people, and I look forward to seeing this bill pass the House."

Díaz-Balart secured $42.2 million for Southern Florida priorities:

• $14.9 million - Amelia Earhart Park Community Center
• $8 million - Miami Lakes Senior Center
• $5 million - Miami Lakes Septic to Sewer Conversion
• $8.3 million - City of Hialeah Neighborhood Roadway and Drainage Improvements, SE 4th-6th Avenue Corridor and W 9th Avenue Corridor
• $5 million - Miami Lakes 82nd Avenue Drainage Improvements
• $1 million - Golden Gate City Wastewater Lift Station Property Acquisition
• Bans new commercial flights to the anti-American Cuban regime
• Fully funds Air Traffic Control Operations and allows the FAA to hire 2,300 Air Traffic Controllers.
• Ensuring sufficient air traffic controllers to keep our skies safe and efficient
• $4 billion for FAA Facilities and Equipment to build a world-class national airspace system.
• Because Miami International Airport is one of the busiest international gateways in the country, the $4 billion investment in FAA Facilities and Equipment will directly strengthen air traffic operations that South Florida depends on-modernizing communications systems and improving safety technology
• Protects housing assistance for over 1.2 million vulnerable households while promoting self-sufficiency and accountability at HUD.
• This funding protects critical housing assistance relied upon by vulnerable families, seniors, and people with disabilities in Florida's 26th District-while ensuring HUD focuses on self-sufficiency and strong accountability so taxpayer dollars are used effectively.

Díaz-Balart Secured Provision Blocking State Sponsors of Terrorism from Accessing U.S. Facilities:

• For the third year in a row, Congressman Díaz-Balart was successful in securing language blocking state sponsors of terrorism--such as Cuba, Iran, Syria, and North Korea--from accessing U.S. government facilities. This followed mediareports of Cuban regime operatives being invited by the Federal Aviation Administration to visit sensitive U.S. governmental facilities, like the Air Traffic Control Towers, during the Biden Administration. This raised alarms in Congress among the South Florida Congressional Delegation, including Reps. Carlos A. Giménez (FL-28) and María Elvira Salazar (FL-27). As a result, this language has once again been included in this funding bill.

Fiscal Year 2027 Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Key Takeaways

Invests in transportation safety and rebuilds America by:

• Keeping our skies safe and helping build a world-class air traffic control system by providing $22.7 billion for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
• Providing the FAA with resources to hire 2,300 new air traffic controllers and replace dated telecommunication infrastructure.
• Supporting America's maritime dominance through investments in our maritime workforce and infrastructure.

Supports the Trump Administration and mandate of the American people by:

• Upholding America First priorities by guaranteeing that the U.S. has the most modern, safe, and efficient transportation system in the world.
• Empowering the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to refocus housing assistance to promote self-sufficiency while maintaining support for America's most vulnerable - including the elderly and disabled.
• Reinforcing President Trump's executive orders on American security and innovation.
• Rebuilding America with more than $6.3 billion in new budget authority for highways, rail, airports, and maritime infrastructure.

Bolsters U.S. national security and border protections by:

• Promoting defense readiness capabilities by funding the U.S. Merchant Marines, state Maritime Academies, shipyards, and the strategic sealift programs - including the Cable Security Fleet, Maritime Security Program, and Tanker Security Program.
• Supporting America's vehicle and aircraft manufacturers to ensure global leadership and to counter China's malign influence.
• Maintaining "Buy American" provisions that maximize the federal government's use of services, goods, products, and materials produced and offered in the United States.
• Providing $92 million for new Department of Transportation (DOT) cybersecurity infrastructure initiatives.

A summary of the bill is available here.

Bill text is available here.

A table of included Community Project Funding requests is available here.

###