Source: United States Senator for Delaware Christopher Coons
WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Lindsay Graham (R-S.C.), the Chairman and Ranking Member of the State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee, introduced yesterday the Democracy in the 21st Century Act to significantly increase investments to advance democracy and human rights abroad.
The bipartisan legislation authorizes an increase in U.S. global democracy assistance to over $3 billion, 25% above current levels of $2.42 billion, and creates four flexible funds to respond to emerging threats to democracy in foreign countries, particularly in the digital and technological domains. As authoritarian powers redouble their efforts to undermine and interfere in democratic processes, this bill creates a framework and new resources to counter their tactics, including disinformation, election interference, digital authoritarianism, corruption, and direct threats to independent media and civil society.
“As President Biden recommits to democracy both at home and abroad in convening the Summit for Democracy with more than 100 countries this week, I am proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation to better equip the United States to address emerging threats and bolster resources and protections for activists defending democracy around the world,” said Senator Coons.
“We live in dangerous times, and it is more important than ever for the United States to lead the way in supporting democracy throughout the globe,” said Senator Graham. “This additional funding will counter efforts by authoritarian regimes such as China, Russia, and many others that seek to cripple emerging democracies and threaten world order. Democracies resolve their disputes through the Rule of Law rather than the rule of gun. The best thing that can happen is for democracy to spread and replace radical ideology. I appreciate the work of my friend Senator Coons on this important effort.”
In addition to increasing the authorization for U.S. global democracy assistance to over $3 billion, the Democracy in the 21st Century Act would establish four new funds to reinvigorate global democratic resources:
- Fund to Defend Democracy Globally ($20 million each for the State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development, or USAID): to support democracy programs that bolster freedom of expression, election integrity, democratic technology use, and development assistance.
- Fund to Combat Corruption and Kleptocracy ($20 million for USAID): to support civil society, foreign governments, and the private sector in efforts to combat corruption.
- Democracy Research and Development Fund ($15 million for USAID): to support research, development, and innovation within democratic programming, with an emphasis on technology and inter-department coordination and information sharing.
A one-pager is available here. Bill text is available here.
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