Rep. Eli Crane is hoping to defund the National Endowment for Democracy, a key contributor to global censorship campaigns, domestic propaganda, and regime change politics.
Crane’s National Endowment for Democracy Act of 2025 would prohibit taxpayer funds from being allocated to the private institution.
The National Endowment for Democracy was founded in 1983 with the stated mission of promoting democracy abroad. However, according to a report from the Heritage Foundation, “The National Endowment for Democracy (NED) is an institution established and funded by Congress to promote democracy abroad. Although required to be bipartisan, and to reflect “the diversity of American society,” it is led and staffed almost entirely by Democrats, and its public programs feature mostly Democrat speakers and discussants, suggesting intentional viewpoint and employment discrimination against conservatives and Republicans.”
Crane says his legislation would prevent taxpayer dollars from fueling these activities that oppose the U.S. Constitution and American values.
“I’m proud to introduce this sensible measure to ensure that American resources are no longer used to support this organization’s anti-American objectives. Hardworking citizens should not be forced to foot the bill for anything that undermines freedom of speech and liberty,” said Crane. “The National Endowment for Democracy has strayed far from its original mission. We owe it to the American people to protect their interests and put an end to this disgusting waste of their money.”
The Heritage Foundation argues that “if Congress continues to support the NED, its political discrimination in hiring and role in censoring U.S. citizens should be investigated by the State Department’s Inspector General and the Government Accountability Office—and Congress should require the NED to reflect the diversity of political thought in America in both its hiring, publications, and its events.”