IV 
115TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. RES. 843 
Reaffirming the importance of preserving free and fair elections and strength-
ening democratic institutions in the Western Hemisphere as a policy 
priority for the United States. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
APRIL 24, 2018 
Mrs. TORRES (for herself, Mr. POE of Texas, Mr. ENGEL, and Mr. FRANCIS 
ROONEY of Florida) submitted the following resolution; which was re-
ferred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs 
RESOLUTION 
Reaffirming the importance of preserving free and fair elec-
tions and strengthening democratic institutions in the 
Western Hemisphere as a policy priority for the United 
States. 
Whereas free, fair, transparent, and credible elections are the 
cornerstone of every democracy; 
Whereas legitimate elections that respect fundamental free-
doms are characterized by transparency, accountability, 
security, and accessibility for all voters; 
Whereas strong democracies worldwide make for better trad-
ing partners, provide new market opportunities, improve 
global health outcomes, and promote economic freedom 
and regional security; 
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•HRES 843 IH 
Whereas several countries across Latin America are sched-
uled to hold presidential elections in 2018, and approxi-
mately three-quarters of the region’s citizens will choose 
their new leaders; 
Whereas the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, and 
Latin America are bound together by history, culture, 
and geography; 
Whereas democratic stability, regional security, and economic 
prosperity in the Western Hemisphere are vital to the na-
tional security interests of the United States; 
Whereas the transition to democracy has contributed to the 
long-term stability, security, and prosperity of nations 
throughout the Western Hemisphere; 
Whereas the Inter-American Democratic Charter states that 
‘‘representative democracy is indispensable for the sta-
bility, peace, and development of the region’’; 
Whereas the current Secretary General of the Organization 
of American States (OAS), Luis Almagro, has advocated 
on behalf of free and fair elections in the Western Hemi-
sphere; 
Whereas in 2017, the OAS sent technical missions to observe 
elections in Nicaragua, Honduras, Haiti, Ecuador, and 
Bolivia; 
Whereas the deterioration of democratic institutions and rule 
of law that commenced under the leadership of President 
Hugo Chavez has contributed to the dictatorship that ex-
ists today in Venezuela under the leadership of President 
Nicolas Maduro, which has caused a serious humani-
tarian, economic, and security crisis that threatens the 
stability of the Western Hemisphere; 
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•HRES 843 IH 
Whereas the Russian Federation has repeatedly attempted to 
interfere in democratic elections, including in the United 
States, France, and Germany, including through carrying 
out disinformation campaigns and seeking to penetrate 
election infrastructure; 
Whereas there are concerns that state and nonstate actors, 
such as narcotraffickers, may attempt to interfere in this 
year’s elections in the Western Hemisphere, including 
through carrying out disinformation campaigns, fraud, 
and seeking to penetrate election infrastructure; 
Whereas any such activities have the potential to contribute 
to the degradation of democratic institutions and the rise 
of instability in the Western Hemisphere; and 
Whereas the former United States National Security Advisor 
has stated that there were ‘‘initial signs’’ that the Rus-
sian Federation intends to interfere in the upcoming gen-
eral elections in Mexico: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) reaffirms the centrality to United States in-
terests of preserving free and fair elections and ad-
vancing democratic institutions in the Western 
Hemisphere; 
(2) reaffirms its support for the Inter-American 
Democratic Charter and the work of domestic elec-
tion observation and international election observa-
tion missions, such as those led by the Organization 
of American States and the European Union, to pro-
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