What happened?
Last week, the House did something that was both popular among a broad swath of the American people and good for the United States. A bipartisan majority of representatives protected funding for the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) – a nongovernmental organization envisioned by President Ronald Reagan and established by Congress – that strengthens democracy around the world.
Why it matters
NED is a hugely important instrument of American global influence and power that creates a freer and more stable world. A relatively tiny investment in supporting the liberty of others fosters dependable allies for the United States and makes it less likely that American troops will be needed on the ground to fight our enemies or protect national interests. As General James Mattis once remarked, “If you don’t fully fund the State Department, please buy a little more ammunition for me because I’m going to need it.”
Contrary to some narratives, the American people want their country to be a player on the world stage. According to the 2025 Reagan National Defense Survey, 64% of Americans favor U.S. global leadership and engagement. They also believe the United States has a duty to support those struggling for their liberty. The 2025 Reagan Institute Summer Survey reveals that 82% believe on some level that America has “a moral obligation to stand up for human rights and democracy whenever possible.”
Ensuring that taxpayer dollars are spent in ways that benefit the American people is absolutely the correct approach. The belief that funding NED doesn’t qualify as such an investment is mistaken. It’s also contrary to what many Americans say they want. Moreover, NED has thoroughly addressed false claims from critics that it meddles in U.S. politics or opposes time-honored U.S. values like free speech. Those details can be viewed on NED’s website. NED also boasts an experienced board of directors, well balanced by Republicans and Democrats, that provides oversight, guidance, and course correction when needed.
Bottom line
NED pursues a nonpartisan and patriotic mission of making the world safer for Americans through strengthening democracy, expanding freedom, and making governments accountable to their people. In doing so, they seek to thwart the efforts of our adversaries to impose a world order favorable to autocracies and less so to freedom-loving countries. NED also fosters conditions that are more likely to prevent global challenges affecting the United States directly: mass migration, destabilizing regional conflicts, extremist movements and terrorist organizations, nuclear proliferation, access to resources, and reliable partners for trade and economic investment.
Washington can choose to use every tool at its disposal, including NED, to shape world affairs according to its priorities. Alternatively, it can step away and let our adversaries shape the world according to theirs.
That choice is easy. NED and its vital work of supporting freedom globally are both popular and good for America. Funding NED keeps the United States on a winning track.
