To the Members of the U.S. House of Representatives:
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce strongly opposes Crane Amendment #31 to H.R. 7006, the Financial Services and General Government and National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2026. Eliminating funding for the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), created by Ronald Reagan, would undermine America’s leadership abroad and critical efforts to promote democracy and free market principles in countries around the world.
The work of NED and its four core institutes —the International Republican Institute, the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs, the Solidarity Center, and the Center for International Private Enterprise — is more relevant today than ever. NED works around the world to help build stable and peaceful democracies. NED enjoys support from the business community because of its cost-effective investments that advance U.S. national and economic interests. It is critical that Congress not permit a reversal in the gains achieved during the last several decades in building democratic institutions and free market reform, which directly benefits America’s economic growth and national security.
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Since its inception, the U.S. Chamber has been proud to have a central role in supporting the work of CIPE. We strongly urge all members to oppose the amendment and preserve America’s leadership abroad.
Sincerely,
Rodney Davis
Senior Vice President
Government Affairs
U.S. Chamber of Commerce
