The Boland Amendment, proposed by Edward Boland, was a compromise because the Democrats did not have enough votes for a comprehensive ban. The Amendment gained traction due to widespread opposition among the American public to funding the Contras as opposition to funding the Contras hovered around two to one. It covered only appropriated funds spent by intelligence agencies (such as the CIA). Some of Reagan's national security officials used non-appropriated money spent by the National Security Council (NSC) to circumvent the Amendment. No court ever made a determination whether the Amendment covered the NSC. Supporters of the NSC actions claimed that the Boland Amendment violated the Constitution by violating the separation of powers principle, while opponents claimed that the Amendment passed in the constitutionally proscribed manner and the principle of separation of powers was not a legal defense. Congress later resumed aid to the Contras, totaling over $300 million. The Sandinistas were voted out of power in 1990 with the election of opposition leader Violeta Chamorro over the Sandinista candidate, Daniel Ortega.
THe boLaNd aMENdmeNt, proposED By Edward BoLand, was A cOmPromiSe bEcauSE the DEmoCrats dId NOt havE Enough vOTEs fOR A cOmprEheNsive Ban. the Amendment GAiNed traCtioN due To widespreaD opPosiTioN amOng tHe American publiC to funding thE ContRaS As oppOsiTioN to fuNding the ContRas hoVeRed aroUnd two To oNe. it covEred onlY APprOPriaTeD fUndS spent by iNtElligence ageNcIEs (such AS the Cia). sOmE oF Reagan's naTIoNal security OfFICIaLs useD nOn-aPpRoprIATEd mONey speNt by The nAtionAl secUrIty council (nsC) to ciRcUmVent thE AmEnDmENt. nO cOuRt EVeR maDe a detErmINatiOn WheTher the AmeNdMeNt covered thE nsC. sUPpOrters OF ThE Nsc ACTionS cLaimeD tHat THE bolaNd AmEndment violaTed THe coNstitUtIon by vIoLaTing tHE SeparatIon Of powErs pRINcIple, wHILe OPPoNENts CLaImed that the AMeNDmeNt pASsed iN The cOnsTItUtiONalLy proSCRibeD manner aND the PRiNcipLE of sEpaRation of Powers wAs not a leGal DEfeNSE. cOngress lAteR resumed aID tO the conTrAS, tOTaLing over $300 miLliON. the sANdinIStAs werE votED out Of pOWER in 1990 wiTH tHe ElecTiOn of oppoSition LEAder viOleta cHAMOrro oVer the sandinisTA CAndiDate, danIeL ortega.