To prohibit the allocation of funds to the National Endowment for Democracy.

Bill Number

H.R. 3625

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

International Affairs

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-05-29: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Last Updated

2026-01-28T09:05:39Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

This bill, H.R. 3625, aims to stop the U.S. government from providing any financial support to the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), a nonprofit organization that promotes democratic institutions and values worldwide, often funded by federal appropriations.

Key Provisions

• Prohibition on Funding: The head of any federal agency is barred from allocating or transferring funds to the NED.
• Definition of Agency: "Agency" refers to executive departments and other federal entities as defined in U.S. law (specifically, 5 U.S.C. § 551), which includes bodies like the Department of State and USAID but excludes Congress and the courts.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Currently, the NED receives annual funding through congressional appropriations, typically around $300 million, as authorized by laws like the National Endowment for Democracy Act (part of the Foreign Assistance Act).
• This bill would eliminate all such federal funding streams, effectively defunding the NED without altering its legal existence or private operations.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: Agencies like the State Department and USAID would lose a tool for indirect democracy promotion abroad, potentially shifting resources to other programs or requiring new funding mechanisms.
• On Citizens: U.S. taxpayers would no longer contribute to NED activities, which could reduce federal spending but limit support for global civil society initiatives that align with U.S. foreign policy goals.
• On International Relations: Countries and organizations receiving NED grants (e.g., for human rights or election monitoring) might face reduced U.S. influence in promoting democracy, potentially straining alliances or allowing other nations (like China or Russia) to fill the gap in soft power efforts.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• National Endowment for Democracy (NED): Primary impact, as it relies heavily on federal funds for grants to over 1,000 non-governmental organizations in more than 100 countries.
• U.S. Government Entities: Congress (which appropriates funds), executive agencies involved in foreign affairs, and oversight committees like the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
• International Actors: Foreign civil society groups, activists, and governments that benefit from or oppose NED's work on democracy and governance.
• U.S. Public and Policymakers: Taxpayers and advocates for or against foreign aid focused on democracy promotion.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: The bill uses clear, enforceable language to prohibit funding, relying on Congress's constitutional authority over appropriations (the "power of the purse" under Article I, Section 9). It does not dissolve the NED but could lead to legal challenges if interpreted as impairing existing contracts.
• Constitutional: Aligns with separation of powers by directing executive agencies without encroaching on legislative budgeting, though it might spark debates on foreign policy execution.
• Political: Could fuel partisan divides on U.S. foreign aid, with supporters viewing it as cutting wasteful spending and critics arguing it undermines America's global leadership in democracy; as an introduced bill (not yet passed), it reflects ongoing congressional scrutiny of quasi-governmental entities like the NED.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Crane, Elijah [R-AZ-2]

Cosponsors (3)

Rep. Gill, Brandon [R-TX-26], Rep. Greene, Marjorie Taylor [R-GA-14], Rep. Haridopolos, Mike [R-FL-8]

Recent Actions

• 2025-05-29: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
• 2025-05-29: Introduced in House
• 2025-05-29: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• To prohibit the allocation of funds to the National Endowment for Democracy. — issued 2025-05-29 — PDF (2 pages)