Spending Panel Defends International Aid Agency Targeted by GOP

Lawmakers overseeing the federal budget defended a quasi-independent nonprofit that congressional Republicans have sought to defund.

Republicans and Democrats both touted the National Endowment for Democracy’s work supporting civil society in adversary nations as it faces GOP criticism for an organization it supported.

“NED has made mistakes in the past,” said Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Fla.), who leads the House Appropriations subcommittee overseeing national security and State Department programs, at a hearing Tuesday. “But to NED’s credit, they are extremely responsive and quick to recognize and rectify those mistakes.”

The hearing gave Republicans a chance to highlight the agency’s mistakes while ...