I
107TH CONGRESS
2D SESSION
H. R. 4973
To strengthen democratic institutions and promote good governance overseas
by contributing to the development of professional legislative staff.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
JUNE 20, 2002
Mr. CROWLEY (for himself, Mr. LANTOS, Mr. GILMAN, Mr. WELDON of Penn-
sylvania, Mr. LEACH, Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA, Mr. HOYER, Ms. KAPTUR,
Mr. CLYBURN, Mr. WEINER, Ms. WOOLSEY, Mr. HOEFFEL, Ms. LEE,
Ms. SLAUGHTER, Mr. BLUMENAUER, Mr. DAVIS of Florida, Mr. LEVIN,
Mr. MEEKS of New York, Mr. SCHIFF, Mrs. NAPOLITANO, Mr. HASTINGS
of Florida, Mr. ABERCROMBIE, Mr. WYNN, Mr. BOSWELL, Mr. JEFFER-
SON, and Ms. CARSON of Indiana) introduced the following bill; which
was referred to the Committee on International Relations
A BILL
To strengthen democratic institutions and promote good gov-
ernance overseas by contributing to the development of
professional legislative staff.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Strengthening Demo-
cratic Institutions Act of 2002’’.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
The Congress makes the following findings:
(1) An elected legislature that represents a na-
tion’s citizens is a critical element of a democratic
government that is accountable to its people.
(2) The drafting of effective legislation requires
legislative staff who possess substantive expertise in
relevant subject matters.
(3) Legislative oversight of governmental poli-
cies, programs, and budgets—steps that are impera-
tive to ensure good governance, prevent waste and
abuse, and guarantee effective use of state re-
sources—similarly requires legislative staff who have
technical expertise needed to exercise effective over-
sight.
(4) Many new and emerging democracies, bur-
dened by the legacy of oppressive and autocratic re-
gimes, struggle to reform their government institu-
tions, develop wise laws, implement sound policies,
and ensure that the power of the state is used to en-
hance political freedoms, economic well-being, and
social welfare.
(5) It is in the interests of the United States
to promote sound lawmaking and government ac-
countability in countries that have political, eco-
nomic, and security relations with the United States.
(6) A cadre of professional legislative staff
trained in public policy, national security affairs,
and legislative procedure is essential for the develop-
ment of sound legislation and the exercise of effec-
tive legislative oversight over government operations.
(7) Legislative staff who have developed sub-
stantive expertise in one or more areas of public pol-
icy and gained a thorough understanding of demo-
cratic legislative procedures will raise the level of
public debate in their societies and encourage a more
open discussion of political, economic, and social
issues between and among political leaders and ordi-
nary citizens.
(8) Such staff members, even should they leave
the employ of their country’s legislature, are likely
to remain active, prominent, and well-informed
members of their nations’ civil service, defense es-
tablishments, or political systems and will in this
manner continue to promote democracy in their own
country and thus the national interest of the United
States abroad.
SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF INTERNATIONAL LEGISLATIVE
STAFF TRAINING PROGRAM.
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary of State shall
establish 
a 
program 
that 
will 
encourage 
the
professionalization of legislative staff working for foreign
legislative bodies and elected members of such bodies. The
program shall bring foreign legislative staff to the United
States for seminars, workshops, discussions, and meetings
concerning techniques, standards, and practices of profes-
sional legislative staff work. To the extent possible, the
program shall include close observation of the legislative
process and the role of professional legislative staff in the
Congress of the United States.
(b) ACTIVITIES.—
(1) The program shall include seminars, work-
shops, discussions, and other activities concerning
the following:
(A) The role of a legislature in a demo-
cratic system.
(B) Executive-legislative relations.
(C) The role of constituents, lobbyists,
nongovernmental organizations, political par-
ties, the media, and other stakeholders in the
legislative process.
(D) Contemporary policy issues being ad-
dressed in the United States by Congress.
(E) The value of a career as professional
legislative staff.
(2) The program shall include meetings and
contact with—
(A) academics, think tank scholars, and
other appropriate experts on executive-legisla-
tive relations, policy issues being addressed by
the Congress, and the role of a legislature in a
democratic system;
(B) Members of Congress, congressional
committee staff, congressional staff, and others
knowledgeable about the legislative process;
(C) officials from executive branch agen-
cies with experience in policy issues and execu-
tive-legislative relations;
(D) individuals working in the legislative
and executive branches of the United States
Government;
(E) journalists who report on congressional
activities; and
(F) members and staff of State legisla-
tures, as appropriate.
(c) PARTICIPANTS.—
(1) In the selection of individuals to participate
in the program under this section, the Secretary of
State shall consider only individuals from countries
which—
fairs in consultation with the Assistant Secretary of
State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor.
(2) The Secretary may enter into one or more
contracts with private or nonprofit organizations
having an expertise in the fostering of democratic in-
stitutions for the administration of the program
under this section. The Secretary may enter into
such contracts without regard to any any provision
of law requiring the use of competitive procedures.
(e) DEFINITIONS.—In this section the term ‘‘elec-
tions that are generally regarded as having been free and
fair’’ refers to an electoral process that is generally re-
garded by the United States and the international commu-
nity as being open and democratic and governed by the
principles of free and open debate and informed citizen
participation.
(f) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—For the
fiscal year 2003 and for each subsequent fiscal year, there
are authorized to be appropriated $3,000,000 to carry out
this section. Funds appropriated pursuant to the author-
ization of appropriations under this subsection are author-
ized to remain available until expended.
SEC. 4. SENSE OF CONGRESS.
It is the sense of the Congress that Members of Con-
gress should support the program established under sec-
tion 2 to the greatest extent possible by providing for the
involvement of professional legislative staff from their of-
fices in seminars, meetings, and other activities organized
for the benefit of participants in the program.
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