This week, the National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs (NSRP) Subcommittee held a hearing with Damon Wilson, President and CEO of the National Endowment for Democracy (NED). The session was chaired by Rep. Mario Díaz-Balart (R-FL), who has represented Florida’s 26th District in Congress since 2003 and previously served in both chambers of the Florida legislature.
The hearing focused on oversight of programs funded through the NSRP bill and examined how NED supports U.S. foreign policy goals. Established under President Ronald Reagan, NED is seen as an important instrument for advancing American interests abroad and supporting individuals resisting authoritarian regimes in countries such as Iran, North Korea, and Cuba.
In his opening statement, Chairman Díaz-Balart emphasized the consistent role of NED across different administrations: “Foreign policy changes from one administration to the next. Yet the work of the NED remains consistent. As many of you know, I am a proud proponent of democracy and human rights promotion as a fundamental part of our foreign policy and national security. Toward that goal, the NED, and accountable democracy programs generally, are essential to countering adversaries, advancing American national security interests, and standing with those struggling for freedom… [NED] work[s] in some of the most dangerous and adversarial nations like Iran, like China. They have also been laying the groundwork for peace and stability in places like the South Caucases, which provides an opening for initiatives like the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) connecting Armenia and Azerbaijan. Yes, NED has made mistakes. But, to NED’s credit, they are extremely responsive and quick to recognize and rectify them. When they found a problematic issue with a grantee, they resolved it in a matter of days. Canceled it outright and got the money back. I wish every other federally-funded organization was that swift and responsive to Congress.”
Rep. John Moolenaar (R-MI), chair of the House Select Committee on Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), addressed NED’s efforts in China: “You’ve talked a bit about the Uyghur genocide and that designation, and the work NED did… A lot of American businesses are competing with companies that use slave labor, and also some of our supply chains are dependent on that. If you’d talk a bit about the surveillance, the national security laws that China and the CCP have put in place. You mentioned the police stations, and some of the vulnerabilities that Chinese nationals, even on our home shores, are affected by, if you could talk about NED’s work in both of those areas.”
Wilson responded by noting that China represents NED’s largest program due to ongoing challenges posed by restrictions on freedom within China as well as global influence from Beijing. He said NED documents forced labor among Uyghurs inside China to inform international audiences.
Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ) asked about measuring success at NED: “A core criticism I’ve heard from my constituents on this is that they feel that funding soft power initiatives like NED has not resulted in a geopolitical landscape more favorable to the U.S. interest. With your questions and testimony here today, I hope we can help alleviate relevant criticisms about why continuing to fund NED has been a bipartisan priority and why it can align, if done properly, with newly affirmed and streamlined national security priorities by the Trump Administration, and how that’s aligning itself to that. In light of this reality, how do you measure progress?”
Wilson explained that grants include specific benchmarks leading to concrete results such as exposing an underground CCP police station in Manhattan.
Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-NC) referenced a Heritage Foundation report criticizing rapid growth in NED’s budget from $180 million in 2019 to over $300 million by 2022: “[This report] says that NED’s total revenue increased from about $180 million in Fiscal Year 2019 to over $300 million by Fiscal Year 2022, and it characterizes that growth as unjustified. Can you explain what specific geopolitical or congressional priorities drove that increase, such as support for Ukraine, countering other influences or China-focused programming…”
Wilson stated global threats have changed significantly over two decades due to advanced technology used by authoritarian governments; these developments require expanded operations at organizations like NED.
Rep. Mark Alford (R-MO) discussed concerns regarding funding anti-American activities while recognizing positive contributions: “President Trump and Secretary Rubio have ushered in a new golden era of America First foreign policy… The National Endowment for Democracy was created in Congress in 1983 as an independent nonprofit grantmaking institution intended to strengthen democratic institutions abroad… Its work in Venezuela, Iran, China,and Russia have been critical… However,NED has not been perfect by any means… For NED,I choose not to throw out baby with bathwater,because I believe inthe core mission…”
Wilson assured lawmakers there is no support or funding directed toward censorship activities affecting Americans domestically; when issues were identified,NED acted quickly.
As appropriators continue reviewing foreign aid spending,the feedback gathered during this hearing will influence future decisions related to federal funding priorities.
