The Boland Amendments, 1982 and 1984
Alarmed at the CIA’s involvement in the Nicaraguan civil war, Congress passed a measure in 1982 to limit funding and support for these activities. Offered by Edward Boland, a Democratic representative from Massachusetts, the Boland Amendment prohibited the CIA or any other government agency from providing military aid or advice to the Contra rebels. When the Reagan administration found ways to evade the amendment, in 1984 Congress adopted a stronger version as part of an appropriations bill.
1982 Amendment
A substitute amendment to the Harkin amendment [which also prohibited support of military activity in Nicaragua] to prohibit the CIA or Defense Department to use funds of the bill to furnish military equipment, military training or advice, or other support for military activities, to any group or individual, not part of a country’s armed forces, for the purpose of overthrowing the government of Nicaragua or provoking a military exchange between Nicaragua and Honduras. The Harkin amendment has prohibited support of any military activity in Nicaragua.
Source: House Amendment 974, 97th Congress (1981–1982).
1984 Amendment
No appropriations or funds made available pursuant to this joint resolution to the Central Intelligence Agency, the Department of Defense, or any other agency or entity of the United States involved in intelligence activities may be obligated or expended for the purpose or which could have the effect of supporting, directly or indirectly, military or paramilitary operations in Nicaragua by any nation, group, organization, movement or individual.
Source: Pub. L. No. 98-441, 98 Stat. 1699 (Oct. 3, 1984).
Exploring American HistoriesPrinted Page 959
Chapter Timeline