Madeleine K. Albright Democracy in the 21st Century Act
12/29/2022, 7:03 PMSummary of Bill HR 8708
Bill 117 HR 8708, also known as the Madeleine K. Albright Democracy in the 21st Century Act, is a piece of legislation introduced in the US Congress. The bill aims to promote democracy and human rights around the world by providing support to civil society organizations, promoting free and fair elections, and combating corruption.The bill includes provisions for the establishment of a Democracy and Human Rights Fund, which will provide financial assistance to organizations working to promote democracy and human rights in countries where these values are under threat. The fund will also support efforts to strengthen the rule of law, combat corruption, and promote good governance.
Additionally, the bill calls for the creation of a Democracy and Human Rights Ambassador within the State Department, who will be responsible for coordinating US efforts to promote democracy and human rights globally. The ambassador will work with other countries and international organizations to advance these values and support civil society organizations working in this field. Overall, the Madeleine K. Albright Democracy in the 21st Century Act seeks to reaffirm the United States' commitment to promoting democracy and human rights around the world and to support those who are working to advance these values in their own countries.
Congressional Summary of HR 8708
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.
