,,ii #aagth ,,congress #ast ,session ,s4 #ccag ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,december #f1 #bjba ,mr4 ,coons 7for himself and ,mr4 ,graham7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,foreign ,relations ,a ,,bill ,to strengthen ,united ,states national security through the defense of democracy abroad and to address contemporary threats to democracy around the world1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title2 table of contents 7a7 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,democracy in the #bast ,century ,act4 7b7 ,table of contents ,the table of contents for this ,act is as follows3 ,sec4 #a4 ,short title2 table of contents4 ,sec4 #b4 ,definitions4 ,sec4 #c4 ,program prioritization and democracy strategy4 ,sec4 #d4 ,authorities and limitation4 ,sec4 #e4 ,establishment of certain funds4 ,sec4 #f4 ,roles and responsibilities4 ,sec4 #g4 ,coordinators for democracy programs4 ,sec4 #h4 ,authorization of appropriations4 #b4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,appropriate congressional committees ,the term appropriate congressional committees means-- 7,a7 the ,committee on ,appropriations of the ,senate2 7,b7 the ,committee on ,foreign ,relations of the ,senate2 7,c7 the ,committee on ,appropriations of the ,house of ,representatives2 and 7,d7 the ,committee on ,foreign ,affairs of the ,house of ,representatives4 7#b7 ,democracy programs ,for purposes of funds authorized to be appropriated by this ,act1 the ,foreign ,assistance ,act of #aifa 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #baea et seq471 or appropriated under any ,act making appropriations for the ,department of ,state1 foreign operations1 and related programs1 the term democracy programs means programs that-- 7,a7 support democratic governance consistent with section #acc7;b7 of the ,foreign ,assistance ,act of #aifa 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #baeb;c7b771 and-- 7i7 transparent1 accountable1 and democratic governance 7including combating corruption72 7ii7 credible and competitive elections2 7iii7 freedom of expression 7including countering disinformation and misinformation71 association1 assembly1 and religion2 7iv7 human rights and labor rights2 7v7 independent media2 7vi7 internet freedom and digital rights and responsibilities2 and 7vii7 the rule of law2 or 7,b7 otherwise strengthen the capacity of democratic political parties1 nongovernmental organizations and institutions1 and citizens to support the development of democratic states and institutions that are responsive and accountable to citizens4 7#c7 ,,ned ,the term ,,ned means the ,national ,endowment for ,democracy4 7#d7 ,relevant ,federal agencies ,the term relevant ,federal agencies means-- 7,a7 the ,department of ,state2 7,b7 the ,united ,states ,agency for ,international ,development2 and 7,c7 other ,federal agencies that the ,president determines are relevant for purposes of this ,act4 7#e7 ,,usaid ,the term ,,usaid means the ,united ,states ,agency for ,international ,development4 #c4 ,program prioritization and democracy strategy 7a7 ,findings ,congress makes the following findings3 7#a7 ,democracy has weakened around the world for at least #ae consecutive years4 ,in some places1 authoritarian leaders have deliberately chipped away at the pillars of democracy2 in others1 rampant partisanship and disinformation have pitted democratic electorates against themselves4 ,in many places1 the ,people's ,republic of ,china 7,,prc71 the ,federation of ,russia1 and other states have found ways to encourage or amplify these trends1 including through the strategic use of corruption4 7#b7 ,the erosion of global democracy fundamentally undermines the national security of the ,united ,states4 ,democracies consistently prove to be the most reliable geopolitical allies and trading partners for the ,united ,states4 ,democracies by any reasonable measure outperform non-democracies in delivering prosperity and good governance1 and in preventing instability and violent extremism4 ,the erosion of democracy in foreign countries threatens the ,united ,states at home1 because the threats democracy faces around the world 7including disinformation1 hyperpolarization1 election meddling1 weaponized corruption1 digital repression1 and attacks on independent media7 respect no national boundary4 ,if left unaddressed overseas1 this democratic erosion will threaten ,american democracy at home4 7#c7 ,more generally1 the competition between democracies and autocracies has again become an animating feature of global politics1 with authoritarian powers 7often with support from the ,,prc or ,russia7 using their resources1 influence1 and technology to undermine and interfere in democratic processes and co-opt public officials4 7#d7 ,the current approach of the ,united ,states ,government to supporting global democracy must be updated to meet today's challenges4 ,the survival of the democratic project will always depend on free and fair elections1 strong democratic institutions1 the rule of law1 and an empowered civil society4 ,the ,united ,states ,government must also establish new authorities and resources to address contemporary threats to democracy1 including malign foreign interference1 transnational corruption1 and digital authoritarianism4 7b7 ,program prioritization ,the ,united ,states ,government should prioritize democracy programs that-- 7#a7 advance democracy worldwide1 including during a country's transition to democracy1 a consolidation of democracy following such a transition1 and democratic backsliding in a country2 7#b7 support democracy and democratic activists in closed and repressive societies1 including defending their human rights2 7#c7 counter the malign influence of the ,,prc1 the ,federation of ,russia1 and other authoritarian governments2 7#d7 counter corruption and kleptocracy1 including by enhancing transparent1 accountable1 and responsive governance2 7#e7 promote and protect independent media1 civil society activists1 writers1 artists1 and intellectuals2 7#f7 counter misinformation and disinformation of all kinds1 but especially in the digital domain2 7#g7 counter authoritarian abuse of technology1 and prevent manipulation--especially through digital means--of elections1 electoral data1 and critical infrastructure2 7#h7 combat digital authoritarianism1 including the use of the internet and other digital technologies to undermine human rights2 7#i7 promote internet freedom and the use of technology that furthers democracy and human rights2 7#aj7 counter transnational repression and the extra-territorial extension of repressive measures1 as well as the increasing use of arbitrary detention2 7#aa7 respond rapidly to democratic openings or backsliding2 7#ab7 promote civic education1 voter education1 and enhanced citizen participation in democratic processes2 7#ac7 seek to ensure the integrity of elections abroad2 and 7#ad7 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 reform4 7c7 ,strategy ,not later than #abj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,president shall submit to ,congress a comprehensive strategy to promote democracy abroad4 ,the strategy shall encompass a whole of government approach to such efforts1 and include detailed information on funding1 goals and objectives1 and oversight4 #d4 ,authorities and limitation 7a7 ,availability ,funds that are authorized to be appropriated pursuant to the ,national ,endowment for ,democracy ,act 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #ddab7 or appropriated under any ,act making appropriations for the ,department of ,state1 foreign operations1 and related programs for the ,national ,endowment for ,democracy may be made available notwithstanding any other provision of law and any regulation4 7b7 ,beneficiaries ,funds that are made available by this ,act for the ,,ned are made available pursuant to the authority of the ,national ,endowment for ,democracy ,act 7title ,v of ,public ,law #ih-afd71 including all decisions regarding the selection of beneficiaries4 7c7 ,restrictions on foreign government interference 7#a7 ,prior approval ,with respect to the provision of assistance for democracy programs by relevant ,federal agencies1 the organizations implementing such assistance1 the specific nature of that assistance1 and the participants in such programs shall not be subject to the prior approval by the government of any foreign country4 7#b7 ,disclosure of implementing partner information ,if the ,secretary of ,state1 in consultation with the ,administrator of the ,united ,states ,agency for ,international ,development1 determines that the government of a country is undemocratic or has engaged in gross violations of human rights1 any new bilateral agreement governing the terms and conditions under which assistance is provided to such a country shall not require the disclosure of the names of implementing partners of democracy programs1 and the ,secretary of ,state and the ,administrator of the ,united ,states ,agency for ,international ,development shall expeditiously seek to negotiate amendments to existing bilateral agreements1 as necessary1 to conform to this requirement4 7#c7 ,reporting requirement ,the ,secretary of ,state1 in coordination with the ,,usaid ,administrator1 shall submit a report to the appropriate congressional committees1 not later than ,january #ca1 #bjbb1 and annually thereafter until ,september #cj1 #bjbf1 detailing steps taken by the ,department of ,state and ,,usaid to comply with the requirements of this subsection4 7d7 ,information sharing ,the ,assistant ,secretary for ,democracy1 ,human ,rights1 and ,labor of the ,department of ,state and the ,assistant ,administrator for ,development1 ,democracy1 and ,innovation of ,,usaid shall regularly inform the ,,ned of democracy programs that are planned and supported by such agencies1 and the ,,ned ,president shall regularly inform such ,secretary and ,administrator of programs that are planned and supported by the ,,ned1 consistent with the requirements of section #eje of the ,national ,endowment for ,democracy ,act 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #ddad74 7e7 ,digital security ,democracy programs supported by funds authorized to be appropriated pursuant to section #h should include a component on digital security to enhance the security and safety of implementers and beneficiaries1 including1 as appropriate1 assistance for civil society organizations to counter government surveillance1 censorship1 and repression by digital means4 #e4 ,establishment of certain funds 7a7 ,fund ,to ,defend ,democracy ,globally 7#a7 ,establishment ,the ,secretary of ,state and the ,administrator of the ,united ,states ,agency for ,international ,development1 following consultation with the appropriate congressional committees1 may each establish a ,fund to ,defend ,democracy ,globally1 which may accept contributions from other international donors and the private sector4 ,the ,secretary and the ,administrator shall regularly coordinate programs and activities supported by each respective ,fund4 7#b7 ,purpose ,the purpose of such ,funds is to support programs that-- 7,a7 strengthen and enhance the ,department of ,state and ,,usaid's ability to respond quickly and flexibly to democratic openings and backsliding2 7,b7 assist fledgling or struggling democracies deliver services and meet expectations for their populations through a full range of development assistance from the ,united ,states and other international donors1 in consultation and coordination with the governments of such democracies1 in order to further reforms and strategies identified by such governments through consultation with respective civil societies2 7,c7 support1 in cooperation with other international donors and in consultation with nongovernmental organizations1 independent and public interest media worldwide to help such media resist the overlapping challenges of authoritarian encroachment1 threats to their financial viability1 and litigation and regulatory environments meant to undercut their ability to operate2 7,d7 center democratic values and human rights in current and emerging technologies1 and counter efforts by authoritarian governments to surveil1 censor1 or otherwise repress populations by digital means1 including through programs that-- 7i7 counter disinformation2 7ii7 establish an initiative to be housed at ,,usaid to help countries around the world implement governing regulations for the procurement and use of technology consistent with democratic and human rights norms and standards2 7iii7 provide digital public goods to reduce the appeal of authoritarian-leaning technologies to cash-strapped countries2 7iv7 provide education on digital literacy to key populations2 and 7v7 support the ongoing prioritization of democratic values in technological development in the years to come2 and 7,e7 establish an international coalition of governmental and nongovernmental actors dedicated to preserving election integrity by providing funds to deter or combat external influence in elections abroad1 including cyber intrusion1 disinformation1 and other threats1 and assist elections to meet coalition-defined standards of electoral integrity4 7#c7 ,authorization of appropriations ,of the funds authorized to be appropriated pursuant to section #h1 not less than #bj1jjj1jjj1 to remain available until expended1 should be made available for each ,fund established under this subsection4 7b7 ,fund ,to combat corruption and kleptocracy 7#a7 ,establishment ,the ,,usaid ,administrator1 following consultation with the appropriate congressional committees1 may establish a ,fund to ,combat ,corruption and ,kleptocracy abroad4 7#b7 ,contributions ,the ,fund may accept contributions from other international donors and the private sector1 and provide contributions to multilateral organizations4 7#c7 ,purposes ,the purposes of the ,fund are to support efforts by foreign governments1 civil society1 and the private sector to combat corruption and kleptocracy abroad1 including through efforts that-- 7,a7 enhance government transparency1 accountability1 and responsiveness across development sectors2 7,b7 improve detection and exposure of corruption crimes1 including those that cross borders2 7,c7 expand investigations and prosecutions of corrupt acts and hold corrupt actors accountable2 7,d7 strengthen norms and standards at the local1 national1 regional1 and international levels2 and 7,e7 augment cooperation with the private sector and key industries to root out corruption that harms competitiveness1 economic growth1 and development and taints critical supply chains4 7#d7 ,authorization of appropriations ,of the funds authorized to be appropriated pursuant to section #h1 not less than #bj1jjj1jjj1 to remain available until expended1 should be made available for the ,fund4 7c7 ,democracy ,research and ,development ,fund 7#a7 ,establishment ,the ,administrator of the ,united ,states ,agency for ,international ,development1 following consultation with the appropriate congressional committees1 may establish a ,democracy ,research and ,development ,fund4 7#b7 ,contributions ,the ,fund may accept contributions from other international donors and the private sector1 and provide contributions to multilateral organizations4 7#c7 ,purposes ,the purposes of the ,fund are to-- 7,a7 support research and development by the ,department of ,state1 ,,usaid1 and ,,ned on policies1 programs1 and technologies relating to democracy promotion abroad2 7,b7 drive innovation within those entities regarding the response to democratic backsliding2 and 7,c7 incentivize collaboration among government1 nongovernmental organizations1 and the private sector with the objective of identifying and mitigating the threats to global democracy4 7#d7 ,reports from the ,coordinators for ,democracy ,programs and the ,national ,endowment for ,democracy ,not later than #ahj days after enactment of this ,act1 and annually thereafter until ,september #cj1 #bjbf1 the ,coordinators for ,democracy ,programs established pursuant to section #g and the ,president of the ,national ,endowment for ,democracy shall each submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report detailing research and development programs supported by the ,department of ,state1 ,,usaid1 and ,,ned during the prior fiscal year4 ,the report may be accompanied by a classified annex1 if necessary4 7#e7 ,authorization of appropriations ,of the funds authorized to be appropriated by section #h1 #ae1jjj1jjj1 to remain available until expended1 should be made available for the ,fund4 #f4 ,roles and responsibilities ,funds authorized to be appropriated pursuant to section #h should be made available as follows1 consistent with the overall strategic direction and capabilities of the ,department of ,state and ,,usaid3 7#a7 ,for the ,department of ,state1 such funds should be the responsibility of the ,assistant ,secretary of ,state for ,democracy1 ,human ,rights1 and ,labor1 except for funds provided to ,,ned4 ,such funds shall be made available as grants and should have as their primary purpose democracy programs that are flexible1 innovative1 and responsive to-- 7,a7 current human rights abuses and democracy deficiencies as documented in the annual ,country ,report on ,human ,rights ,practices required by sections #aaf7;d7 and #ejb;,b7b7 of the ,foreign ,assistance ,act of #aifa 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #baean7d71 #bcjd7;b772 and 7,b7 emerging opportunities and sudden crises4 7#b7 ,for ,,usaid1 such funds should have as their primary purpose flexible1 innovative1 and responsive democracy programs that are development-oriented1 often coordinated through a ,country ,development ,cooperation ,strategy1 and conducted in countries where a ,,usaid ,mission is present or where a ,,usaid ,mission in a neighboring country can run such programs effectively4 ,such programs should1 as appropriate1 build local capacity with an eye to persistent multi-year efforts1 incorporate democracy programming into a larger development strategy1 and emphasize locally led programs when possible4 ,funds made available for civil society and political competition and consensus building programs abroad shall be provided in a manner that recognizes the benefits of grants and cooperative agreements in implementing such programs4 7#c7 ,in cases where both the ,department of ,state and ,,usaid are able to respond to emerging opportunities and sudden crises1 including in closed and repressive societies1 the ,coordinators of ,democracy ,programs established pursuant to section #g shall coordinate their respective programs1 including at the country level1 to ensure complementarity and prevent waste or redundancy4 #g4 ,coordinators for democracy programs ,the ,assistant ,secretary of ,state for ,democracy1 ,human ,rights1 and ,labor of the ,department of ,state and the ,assistant ,administrator for ,development1 ,democracy1 and ,innovation shall serve concurrently as the ,coordinators for ,democracy ,programs1 and as ,coordinators shall-- 7#a7 coordinate democracy policy and programs across relevant ,federal agencies1 at diplomatic facilities abroad1 and with the ,,ned regarding the safety1 efficacy1 and best practices of democracy programs abroad2 7#b7 engage international partners1 including foreign governments1 civil society1 and democracy activists1 in addressing the advancement of democracy abroad2 and 7#c7 serve as the primary ,united ,states representatives at international fora on matters relating to democracy programs4 #h4 ,authorization of appropriations 7a7 ,democracy programs ,there are authorized to be appropriated for democracy programs in each of fiscal years #bjbb1 #bjbc1 #bjbd1 #bjbe1 and #bjbf1 to remain available until expended1 #c1jjj1jjj1jjj1 including for new ,presidential initiatives regarding democracy promotion abroad4 7b7 ,administration of department of state democracy programs ,of the funds authorized to be appropriated by this section that are made available for the ,bureau of ,democracy1 ,human ,rights1 and ,labor of the ,department of ,state1 up to #ae percent may be made available for the administration of democracy programs by such ,bureau in each of fiscal years #bjbb1 #bjbc1 #bjbd1 #bjbe1 and #bjbf1 including for the hiring of additional personnel following consultation with the appropriate congressional committees4 ,such funds are in addition to funds otherwise made available for such purposes4 7c7 ,administration of ,,usaid democracy programs ,of the funds authorized to be appropriated by this section that are made available for the ,bureau for ,development1 ,democracy1 and ,innovation1 ,,usaid1 up to #ae percent may be made available for the administration of democracy programs by such ,bureau in each of fiscal years #bjbb1 #bjbc1 #bjbd1 #bjbe1 and #bjbf1 including for the hiring of additional personnel following consultation with the appropriate congressional committees4 ,such funds are in addition to funds otherwise made available for such purposes4