Dick Lugar: “the amendment that I introduce comes to the floor because no funding for the National Endowment for Democracy is in this…”

“the amendment that I introduce comes to the floor because no funding for the National Endowment for Democracy is in this bill. It has been zeroed out. The bill as written proposes to eliminate the National Endowment for Democracy, a program that has been enthusiastically supported by every administration, Republican and Democratic, since President Ronald Reagan's first term, and by every Congress, Republican and Democratic, since 1983, when it was first launched. The amendment we are proposing would continue funding for the National Endowment for Democracy at this year's level, namely $30 million. It does not seek an increase in funding. But it proposes that the funding continue. The amendment would shift $30 million from the State Department Capital Investment Fund in the bill to the National Endowment for Democracy. I point out, Mr. President, that even with the $30 million shifted from the State Department Capital Investment Fund, that fund will still exceed by $11 million the administration's request.”