IV 
116TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. RES. 221 
Reaffirming the importance of upholding democracy, human rights, and the 
rule of law in United States foreign policy. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MARCH 13, 2019 
Mr. ENGEL (for himself and Mr. MCCAUL) submitted the following resolution; 
which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs 
RESOLUTION 
Reaffirming the importance of upholding democracy, human 
rights, and the rule of law in United States foreign policy. 
Whereas strong democracies make strong partners for the 
United States in fostering the peace and prosperity that 
our citizens desire; 
Whereas democratic principles and values have come under 
increasing strain around the world as foreign govern-
ments backslide on their commitments to govern justly, 
transparently, and with respect for the rights of their 
citizens; 
Whereas support for democracy, human rights, and the rule 
of law are consistent with our national character and 
founding values; 
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Whereas the promotion, protection, and advancement of de-
mocracy, human rights, and the rule of law around the 
world have been core, bipartisan components of United 
States foreign policy essential to the achievement of other 
United States foreign policy goals, including reducing 
poverty, promoting peaceful resolution of conflict, 
strengthening global alliances, ensuring gender equality, 
expanding prosperity, fostering greater security for all 
people, and sustaining the global environment; 
Whereas the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 states that ‘‘a 
principal goal of the foreign policy of the United States 
is to promote the increased observance of internationally 
recognized human rights by all countries’’; 
Whereas it is longstanding United States policy to work 
alongside like-minded democratic governments, legisla-
tures, civil society leaders and organizations, academic in-
stitutions and scholars, independent media and journal-
ists, anti-corruption activists, and international organiza-
tions worldwide to promote, protect and advance the 
cause of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law; 
Whereas human rights defenders and journalists play a crit-
ical role in promoting human rights, transparency, ac-
countability, and good governance, and around the world 
often face smear campaigns, criminalization, or other 
governmental constraints on their work, including intimi-
dation, death threats, arbitrary detention, physical at-
tacks, sexual violence, enforced disappearances, and mur-
der; 
Whereas support for democracy around the world enhances 
regional peace and stability, opens doors for economic op-
portunity, and provides a counterweight to violent and 
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•HRES 221 IH 
radical extremism—all of which is in the national secu-
rity interests of the United States and its allies; 
Whereas democratic systems of government enshrine the indi-
vidual human rights of all citizens, so that every indi-
vidual can contribute to and enjoy the benefits of peace-
ful, prosperous societies; 
Whereas the United States supports the existence of and has 
often worked in partnership with independent and multi-
lateral human rights organizations, both at local and 
international levels, and has used their reporting for pol-
icy development and referred to their findings in the an-
nual Department of State Country Reports on Human 
Rights Practices and other United States policy docu-
ments; 
Whereas the idea of America enshrined in our democratic 
principles is one of our greatest competitive strengths, 
such that when we abandon these values and adopt the 
flawed principles and tactics of our adversaries, we be-
come weaker as a country and undermine our standing 
around the world; 
Whereas some countries are actively promoting an authori-
tarian model of government as an alternative to the 
model long advanced by the United States based on de-
mocracy, human rights, and the rule of law, with the au-
thoritarian model representing a threat to the role and 
influence of the United States in the world; 
Whereas some countries hostile to the democratic principles 
and values the United States has long promoted are also 
working to erode international alliances and organizations 
dedicated to advancing those principles, thereby placing 
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United States security and economic interests at risk; 
and 
Whereas the United States has historically allied most closely 
and productively with those countries committed to de-
mocracy, human rights, and the rule of law: Now, there-
fore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) reaffirms the bipartisan commitment of the 
United States to upholding democracy, human 
rights, and the rule of law, at home and in the 
world; 
(2) recognizes that United States national secu-
rity is enhanced in a world in which countries share 
a commitment to universal rights and freedoms and 
observe the democratic rule of law, and in which 
prosperity and justice create the conditions for 
peace; 
(3) promotes, supports, and encourages greater 
respect for democracy, human rights, and the rule of 
law throughout the world for all people; 
(4) encourages the United States Government 
to work constructively with all countries that seek to 
advance the cause of freedom, peace, and security, 
which can be achieved only through democracy, re-
spect for human rights, and the rule of law; 
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(5) calls on the United States Government to 
continue its longstanding support for organizations 
dedicated to promoting, protecting, and advancing 
democracy, human rights, and the rule of law world-
wide; 
(6) calls on the United States Government to 
continue its strong support for human rights defend-
ers, civil society activists, scholars, and independent 
journalists working to promote, protect, and advance 
democracy, human rights, and the rule of law world-
wide; 
(7) calls on the United States Government to 
set an example for countries around the world by 
showing the highest level of respect for democracy, 
human rights, and the rule of law at home; and 
(8) calls on all branches of the Federal Govern-
ment to uphold the Universal Declaration of Human 
Rights, the Refugee Convention Protocol of 1967, 
the International Covenant on Civil and Political 
Rights, and other relevant international human 
rights agreements ratified by the United States. 
Æ 
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