Madeleine K. Albright Democracy in the 21st Century Act

12/30/2022, 3:18 AM
Congress
117

Number
S - 3317

Introduced on
2021-12-06

# Amendments
0

Sponsors
+5

Cosponsors
+5

Variations and Revisions

7/21/2022

Status of Legislation

Bill Introduced
Introduced to House
House to Vote
Introduced to Senate
Senate to Vote

Purpose and Summary

Madeleine K. Albright Democracy in the 21st Century Act

This bill establishes programs to promote democracy abroad, authorizes Department of State and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) democracy programs from FY2023 through FY2027, and addresses related issues.

The State Department must establish programs (1) to defend democracy globally, including by enhancing the ability of the State Department and USAID to respond quickly and flexibly to democratic openings and backsliding; (2) to support efforts to enhance government transparency and other activities related to reducing corruption; and (3) for democracy research and development, such as activities to drive innovation in State Department, USAID, and National Endowment for Democracy (NED) responses to complex challenges to democracy.

The bill establishes the Democracy in the 21st Century Fund, to be administered by the State Department, to support the programs established by this bill and other related activities.

U.S. government assistance for democracy programs shall not be subject to the prior approval of any foreign government.

The bill also protects the identities of implementing partners of certain State Department, USAID, and NED assistance programs in countries that are undemocratic or have engaged in gross violations of civil and political rights, including by exempting the names of partners for democracy programs in such countries from Freedom of Information Act requests.

The President must report to Congress a comprehensive strategy to promote democracy abroad.

Alternative Names
Official Title as IntroducedA bill to strengthen United States national security through the defense of democracy abroad and to address contemporary threats to democracy around the world, and for other purposes.

Policy Areas
International Affairs

Potential Impact
Asia
China
Computer security and identity theft
Congressional oversight
Detention of persons
Digital media
Elections, voting, political campaign regulation
Europe
Foreign aid and international relief
Government ethics and transparency, public corruption
Government information and archives
Government trust funds
Human rights
International organizations and cooperation
Internet, web applications, social media
News media and reporting
Protest and dissent
Research administration and funding
Research and development
Rule of law and government transparency
Russia
Sovereignty, recognition, national governance and status
Subversive activities

Comments

Recent Activity

Latest Summary8/8/2022

Madeleine K. Albright Democracy in the 21st Century Act

This bill establishes programs to promote democracy abroad, authorizes Department of State and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) democracy programs f...


Latest Action7/21/2022
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 456.