Washington, D.C. – The National Endowment for Democracy (NED) will present U.S. Representative Mario Díaz-Balart with the 2026 Champion of Freedom Democracy Award at a ceremony held at Miami’s Freedom Tower on October 21. The award recognizes his dedication to human rights, steadfast advocacy for democracy worldwide, and enduring support for those striving to build freer, more just communities.
For more than two decades, Díaz-Balart has been one of Congress’s most forceful advocates for freedom and democracy around the world. As Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs, he has helped secure U.S. support for high-impact democracy and human rights initiatives worldwide.
“Mario Díaz-Balart knows through his own family’s experience what tyranny takes from people—and why the hope of freedom endures,” said NED Board Chairman and former congressman Peter Roskam. “His family’s exile from Cuba has shaped a lifelong commitment to people seeking a say in their own future. In Congress, he has been a powerful champion for them, ensuring their voices are heard and America supports their pursuit of freedom.”
“Congressman Díaz-Balart recognizes that supporting democracy around the world advances U.S. national security and helps build a safer, more secure world,” said NED President and CEO Damon Wilson. “We share that conviction and are proud to honor his steadfast commitment to ensuring that democracy support remains a cornerstone of U.S. leadership.”
Born to Cuban parents who were forced into exile, Díaz-Balart has dedicated his career to championing the cause of liberty and elevating the voices of those who have risked everything for freedom and democracy. In Congress, he has consistently led legislative efforts to support freedom’s defenders and advance democratic principles worldwide, from the Western Hemisphere to Taiwan.
U.S. Representative Díaz-Balart joins U.S. Senator Chris Coons in receiving the 2026 Champion of Freedom Democracy Award. U.S. Senator Coons was honored during NED’s 2026 Democracy Awards in September alongside courageous defenders of freedom from Belarus, Burma, Cuba, Ethiopia, and Russia.
Statement from Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart
“I am deeply honored to receive the National Endowment for Democracy’s 2026 Democracy Award at Miami’s historic Freedom Tower. As the son of Cuban exiles, receiving this recognition at a landmark that welcomed so many families fleeing communist tyranny carries special meaning. It is a reminder of America’s promise and our responsibility to stand as a beacon of freedom.
“Throughout my service in Congress, I have worked to ensure that those fighting for liberty have a steadfast ally in the United States. That commitment is especially urgent in our own hemisphere, where generations of Cubans, Venezuelans, and Nicaraguans have demonstrated remarkable courage and resilience in the face of decades of authoritarian repression.
“As Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs, I have consistently prioritized efforts that put America’s national security first and protect taxpayer dollars, while promoting freedom of speech, independence of the press, and democratic values worldwide. Advancing these freedoms supports our interests, strengthen our allies, and counters the regimes that seek to undermine us.
“I thank the National Endowment for Democracy for this recognition and for more than four decades of supporting those confronting repression around the world. I remain committed to ensuring that their voices are heard, their sacrifices are remembered, and their struggle for freedom remains a priority of American foreign policy.”
*****
NED is a private, nonprofit foundation dedicated to advancing freedom and democracy worldwide. Established in 1983 as part of President Reagan’s vision to foster an “infrastructure of democracy” with a bipartisan Congressional mandate, NED supports grassroots leaders striving for the freedom to think, speak, worship, engage politically, and support their families without fear. It mobilizes key pillars of American democracy, from political parties to business and labor, to support their counterparts abroad through the Core institutes that form the NED family: the International Republican Institute, the National Democratic Institute, the Center for International Private Enterprise, and the Solidarity Center.
