The East-West Center is watching closely as Congress debates the organization’s budget for the remainder of the federal fiscal year.

The Republican-controlled House passed an amendment yesterday that would eliminate $10.7 million in funding for the 50-year-old Honolulu-based institution, which promotes understanding between the United States and Asia-Pacific nations.

The House is expected to pass the amended budget, but the legislation faces a rocky reception in the Democratic-controlled Senate.

Democrats there have not yet said what level of cuts, if any, they will accept through Sept. 30.

Center spokeswoman Karen Knudsen says the institution is watching the situation closely. She says it is a difficult situation because they do not know what the final outcome will be.