I 
117TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 8708 
To strengthen United States national security through the defense of democ-
racy abroad and to address contemporary threats to democracy around 
the world, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
AUGUST 12, 2022 
Mr. MALINOWSKI (for himself, Ms. CHENEY, Mr. CROW, and Mr. WILSON of 
South Carolina) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on Foreign Affairs 
A BILL 
To strengthen United States national security through the 
defense of democracy abroad and to address contem-
porary threats to democracy around the world, and for 
other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the 
‘‘Madeleine K. Albright Democracy in the 21st Century 
Act’’. 
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents for 
this Act is as follows: 
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Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. 
Sec. 2. Definitions. 
Sec. 3. Program prioritization and democracy strategy. 
Sec. 4. Authorities and limitation. 
Sec. 5. Establishment of the Democracy in the 21st Century Fund. 
Sec. 6. Roles and responsibilities. 
Sec. 7. Authorization of appropriations. 
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act: 
(1) APPROPRIATE
CONGRESSIONAL
COMMIT-
TEES.—The term ‘‘appropriate congressional com-
mittees’’ means— 
(A) the Committee on Appropriations of 
the Senate; 
(B) the Committee on Foreign Relations of 
the Senate; 
(C) the Committee on Appropriations of 
the House of Representatives; and 
(D) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of 
the House of Representatives. 
(2) CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS.—The term 
‘‘civil and political rights’’ means the equal and in-
alienable rights of all members of the human family 
as provided for in the International Covenant on 
Civil and Political Rights, done in New York Decem-
ber 16, 1966. 
(3) DEMOCRACY PROGRAMS.—For purposes of 
funds authorized to be appropriated by this Act, the 
Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151 et 
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seq.), or appropriated under any Act making appro-
priations for the Department of State, foreign oper-
ations, and related programs, the term ‘‘democracy 
programs’’ means programs that, consistent with 
section 133(b) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 
1961 (22 U.S.C. 2152c(b)) and the International 
Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, done at New 
York December 16, 1966, support— 
(A) good governance; 
(B) credible and competitive elections; 
(C) freedom of expression, association, as-
sembly, and religion; 
(D) human rights, labor rights, inde-
pendent media, and the rule of law; and 
(E) otherwise strengthen the capacity of 
democratic political parties, governments, non-
governmental organizations and institutions, 
and citizens to support the development of 
democratic states and institutions that are re-
sponsive and accountable to citizens. 
(4) NED.—The term ‘‘NED’’ means the Na-
tional Endowment for Democracy. 
(5) RELEVANT
FEDERAL
DEPARTMENTS
AND 
AGENCIES.—The term ‘‘relevant Federal depart-
ments and agencies’’ means— 
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(A) the Department of State; 
(B) the United States Agency for Inter-
national Development; and 
(C) other Federal agencies that the Presi-
dent determines are relevant for purposes of 
this Act. 
(6) USAID.—The term ‘‘USAID’’ means the 
United States Agency for International Develop-
ment. 
SEC. 3. PROGRAM PRIORITIZATION AND DEMOCRACY 
STRATEGY. 
(a) PROGRAM PRIORITIZATION.—As the global leader 
in promoting and advancing democratic principles, the 
United States Government should prioritize democracy 
programs that— 
(1) align and are coordinated with diplomatic 
and security strategies for a given country or region; 
(2) advance democracy worldwide, including 
during a country’s transition to democracy and the 
consolidation of democracy following such a transi-
tion, and address democratic backsliding in a coun-
try; 
(3) support democracy and democratic voices in 
closed and repressive societies, including those de-
fending the exercise of civil and political rights; 
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(4) counter the malign influence of the People’s 
Republic of China, the Russian Federation, and 
other authoritarian governments; 
(5) counter corruption and kleptocracy, includ-
ing by enhancing transparent, accountable, and re-
sponsive governance; 
(6) promote and protect independent media, 
civil society activists, writers, artists, and intellec-
tuals; 
(7) counter misinformation and disinformation, 
but especially in the digital domain; 
(8) counter authoritarian abuse of technology, 
and prevent manipulation—especially through digital 
means—of elections, electoral data, and critical elec-
toral infrastructure; 
(9) combat digital authoritarianism, including 
the use of the internet and other digital technologies 
to restrict the exercise of civil and political rights; 
(10) promote internet freedom and the use of 
technology that furthers democracy and the exercise 
of civil and political rights; 
(11) counter transnational repression and the 
extra-territorial extension of repressive measures, as 
well as the increasing use of arbitrary detention; 
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(12) respond rapidly to democratic openings or 
backsliding, and adapt to evolving dynamics on the 
ground; 
(13) promote civic education, voter education, 
and enhanced citizen participation in democratic 
processes; 
(14) protect the civil and political rights of reli-
gious and ethnic minorities; 
(15) seek to ensure the integrity of elections 
abroad; and 
(16) establish and promote democracy partner-
ships to maximize support to a country where a 
democratic opening is underway or the respective 
government is a genuine partner for democratic re-
form. 
(b) STRATEGY.—Not later than 120 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the President shall sub-
mit to Congress a comprehensive strategy to promote de-
mocracy abroad that is informed by extensive consulta-
tions with the local actors impacted by such programs. 
The strategy shall encompass a whole of government ap-
proach to such efforts, and include detailed information 
on funding, goals and objectives, and oversight. 
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SEC. 4. AUTHORITIES AND LIMITATION. 
(a) BENEFICIARIES.—Funds that are made available 
by this Act for the National Endowment for Democracy 
are made available pursuant to the authority of the Na-
tional Endowment for Democracy Act (title V of Public 
Law 98–164), including all decisions regarding the selec-
tion of beneficiaries. 
(b) RESTRICTIONS ON FOREIGN GOVERNMENT IN-
TERFERENCE.— 
(1) PRIOR APPROVAL.—With respect to the pro-
vision of assistance for democracy programs by rel-
evant Federal departments and agencies, the organi-
zations implementing such assistance, the specific 
nature of that assistance, and the participants in 
such programs shall not be subject to the prior ap-
proval by the government of any foreign country. 
(2) DISCLOSURE OF IMPLEMENTING PARTNER 
INFORMATION.—If the Secretary of State, in con-
sultation with the Administrator of the United 
States Agency for International Development, deter-
mines that the government of a country is undemo-
cratic or has engaged in gross violations of civil and 
political rights, any new bilateral agreement gov-
erning the terms and conditions under which assist-
ance is provided to such a country shall not require 
the disclosure of the names of implementing part-
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