Sec. 3. Program prioritization and democracy strategy
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Congress makes the following findings: Democracy has weakened around the world for at least 15 consecutive years. In some places, authoritarian leaders have deliberately chipped away at the pillars of democracy; in others, rampant partisanship and disinformation have pitted democratic electorates against themselves. In many places, the People’s Republic of China (PRC), the Federation of Russia, and other states have found ways to encourage or amplify these trends, including through the strategic use of corruption.
The erosion of global democracy fundamentally undermines the national security of the United States. Democracies consistently prove to be the most reliable geopolitical allies and trading partners for the United States. Democracies by any reasonable measure outperform non-democracies in delivering prosperity and good governance, and in preventing instability and violent extremism. The erosion of democracy in foreign countries threatens the United States at home, because the threats democracy faces around the world (including disinformation, hyperpolarization, election meddling, weaponized corruption, digital repression, and attacks on independent media) respect no national boundary.
If left unaddressed overseas, this democratic erosion will threaten American democracy at home. More generally, the competition between democracies and autocracies has again become an animating feature of global politics, with authoritarian powers (often with support from the PRC or Russia) using their resources, influence, and technology to undermine and interfere in democratic processes and co-opt public officials. The current approach of the United States Government to supporting global democracy must be updated to meet today’s challenges.
The survival of the democratic project will always depend on free and fair elections, strong democratic institutions, the rule of law, and an empowered civil society. The United States Government must also establish new authorities and resources to address contemporary threats to democracy, including malign foreign interference, transnational corruption, and digital authoritarianism. The United States Government should prioritize democracy programs that— advance democracy worldwide, including during a country’s transition to democracy, a consolidation of democracy following such a transition, and democratic backsliding in a country; support democracy and democratic activists in closed and repressive societies, including defending their human rights; counter the malign influence of the PRC, the Federation of Russia, and other authoritarian governments; counter corruption and kleptocracy, including by enhancing transparent, accountable, and responsive governance; promote and protect independent media, civil society activists, writers, artists, and intellectuals; counter misinformation and disinformation of all kinds, but especially in the digital domain; counter authoritarian abuse of technology, and prevent manipulation—especially through digital means—of elections, electoral data, and critical infrastructure; combat digital authoritarianism, including the use of the internet and other digital technologies to undermine human rights; promote internet freedom and the use of technology that furthers democracy and human rights; counter transnational repression and the extra-territorial extension of repressive measures, as well as the increasing use of arbitrary detention; respond rapidly to democratic openings or backsliding; promote civic education, voter education, and enhanced citizen participation in democratic processes; seek to ensure the integrity of elections abroad; and establish and promote democracy partnerships to maximize support to a country where a democratic opening is underway or the respective government is a genuine partner for democratic reform.
Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the President shall submit to Congress a comprehensive strategy to promote democracy abroad. The strategy shall encompass a whole of government approach to such efforts, and include detailed information on funding, goals and objectives, and oversight.