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Witnesses tell House panel U.S. cuts to democracy programs and deportations weakened Honduran election oversight
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Summary
Experts told the subcommittee that recent U.S. foreign assistance cuts and deportation policy have eroded support for election observation and civil society in Honduras, limiting the ability to monitor and verify the Nov. 30 vote.
WASHINGTON — Experts appearing before the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere argued that recent U.S. policy decisions have reduced resources that help secure transparent elections in Honduras.
Enrique Roy of Human Rights First said U.S. foreign assistance dismantling and program terminations have hampered electoral observation, media protection, anti‑corruption work and civic resilience. Roy told members that, from January to October 2025, Human Rights First tracked 353 U.S. deportation flights to Honduras and that the administration’s September termination of Temporary Protected Status affected roughly 72,000 Hondurans.
Deborah Ulmer of the National Democratic Institute said NDI conducted a bipartisan pre‑election assessment and that domestic volunteers and private‑sector funding have stepped in, but she said the loss of regular U.S. technical assistance constrains preparation. "NDI's work is currently supported by the National Endowment for Democracy," Ulmer said, noting that accreditation of a record number of domestic observers is helpful but does not fully replace sustained U.S. programmatic support.
Members from both parties criticized the absence of a State Department witness at the hearing, calling the silence "deafening." Witnesses recommended that the State Department publicly affirm support for independent election institutions, provide technical assistance where possible and coordinate with the OAS and EU observation missions already planning to deploy.
What members may do next: Several members said they would continue oversight and submit written questions for the record; witnesses urged more vocal, timely U.S. engagement in the final days before the election to preserve credibility.
Ending note: No formal committee actions were taken; members were urged to consider both public signaling and programmatic restoration to protect electoral integrity in Honduras.
