More than two dozen Iranian-American and human rights groups are asking Congress to reduce or eliminate some $70 million earmarked for promoting democracy inside Iran. The coalition says the U.S. funding has backfired and undermined their efforts for reform. In a statement, the group says, “Iranian reformers believe democracy cannot be imported and must be based on indigenous institutions and values. Intended beneficiaries of the funding … uniformly denounce the program.” The letter was spearheaded by the National Iranian American Council, the American Conservative Defense Alliance and the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation.