Sec. 206. Support for Russian democracy and civil society organizations

260 words·~1 min read·/bill/113/s/2277/is/section-206

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The Secretary of State shall increase efforts, directly or through nongovernmental organizations, to— improve democratic governance, transparency, accountability, rule of law, and anti-corruption efforts in the Russian Federation; strengthen democratic institutions and political and civil society organizations in the Russian Federation; expand uncensored Internet access in Russia; and expand free and unfettered access to independent media of all kinds in Russia, including through increasing United States Government-supported broadcasting activities, and to assist with the protection of journalists and civil society activists who have been targeted for free speech activities.

There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of State $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2015 through 2017 to carry out the activities set forth in subsection (a). Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the President shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a strategy to carry out the activities set forth in subsection (a). Funds appropriated or otherwise made available pursuant to subsection

(b)may not be obligated until 15 days after the date on which the President has provided notice of intent to obligate such funds to the appropriate congressional committees. The President may waive the notification requirement under paragraph

(1)if the President determines that failure to do so would pose a substantial risk to human health or welfare, in which case notification shall be provided as early as practicable, but in no event later than three days after taking the action to which such notification requirement was applicable in the context of the circumstances necessitating such waiver.