The United States House of Representatives passed the Fiscal Year 2027 National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act on July 15, 2026, conditioning 50% of US assistance to Nigeria on concrete progress in protecting Christians from religiously motivated violence. The legislation, championed by Representative Riley Moore of West Virginia's 2nd District and NSRP Committee Chairman Mario Diaz-Balart, withholds half of US aid unless the Nigerian government takes measurable steps to protect Christians from attacks, address the threat posed by terrorists, and facilitate the return of internally displaced persons to their ancestral lands.
Moore's Statement on Christian Persecution
Moore said in a statement following the bill's passage: "Christians in Nigeria continue to endure horrific violence, murder, and persecution while a majority of the world turns a blind eye to their suffering. President Donald Trump has taken bold actions to strike the terrorists in Nigeria, and this bill sends a clear message that the United States will continue to stand with persecuted Christians across the globe, especially in Nigeria." The bill also directs the State Department to submit a formal report to Congress and the president outlining steps needed to end targeted violence against Christian communities in Nigeria.
Additional Provisions and Funding Allocations
Beyond the funding conditions, the legislation allocates resources to strengthen law enforcement partnerships with Nigeria, expand anti-human-exploitation efforts, and combat ritualistic murder and organ crimes across Africa. Additional provisions in the accompanying committee report document the impact of mass migration on host populations, protect natural rights and national sovereignty initiatives, and preserve existing pro-life protections, including the Helms, Kemp-Kasten, Siljander, Tiahrt, Hyde-Lantos, and related amendments.
Spending Cuts and Policy Shifts
In total, the act authorises $47.32 billion in discretionary spending, representing a reduction of $2.69 billion from FY2026 appropriations. The legislation frames itself explicitly around President Trump's America First foreign policy, redirecting US foreign assistance towards countering threats from Communist China, Iran, the Taliban, and transnational criminal organisations. The bill simultaneously strips out funding for programmes established during the Biden administration that centred on climate mandates, diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, and what the bill's backers describe as radical gender ideology.
Moore's Allegations on Violence Perpetrators
Moore has previously asserted that “Fulani militants are by far the largest perpetrators of violence against Christians in Nigeria.” In a post on his verified X account, he urged relevant authorities to “stop the killing in the Middle Belt of Nigeria at the hands of the Fulani.” The FY2027 NSRP Appropriations Act now moves forward as part of the broader House appropriations process ahead of the next fiscal year.
