Title: Expressing full support to the Ukrainian people in their aspiration to continue consolidating their democracy and rule of law.
Policy area: International Affairs

Summary:
This resolution expresses support for the full consolidation of democracy in Ukraine and calls on the Ukrainian Central Election Commission, as well as social media platforms, to ensure that elections meet international democratic standards.

[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 487 Introduced in House (IH)]

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116th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 487

Expressing full support to the Ukrainian people in their aspiration to 
        continue consolidating their democracy and rule of law.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             July 12, 2019

  Mr. Keating (for himself and Mr. Kinzinger) submitted the following 
   resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Expressing full support to the Ukrainian people in their aspiration to 
        continue consolidating their democracy and rule of law.

Whereas the Ukrainian people have demonstrated their commitment to democracy and 
        sovereignty during the Revolution of Dignity demonstrations as well as 
        peacefully at the ballot box in three nationwide elections since then;
Whereas the overwhelming majority of Ukrainians in all regions say it is 
        important that Ukraine continues to consolidate its democracy in the 
        face of Russian-sponsored disinformation campaigns aimed at dividing the 
        country as well as portraying Ukraine and its democratically elected 
        leaders as a failed state;
Whereas the results of the spring 2019 Ukrainian presidential election indicate 
        Ukrainians want to see progress on reforms through processes that are 
        both democratic and timely, particularly more accountable leadership and 
        more consistent headway against public corruption;
Whereas Ukrainian voters and election commissioners throughout the country 
        conducted an orderly and democratic voting process, defying bomb 
        threats, cybersecurity incursions, and predictions of disruption by 
        extremist groups;
Whereas Ukraine's electoral systems stood the test of the presidential campaign, 
        and the International Election Observation Mission organized by the 
        Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe found that the 
        election was ``competitive and held with respect for fundamental 
        freedoms'', but also highlighted potential future vulnerabilities and 
        shortcomings in the electoral framework;
Whereas there may be attempts to exploit these shortcomings to discredit the 
        snap parliamentary elections, currently scheduled for July, including as 
        part of a Kremlin-orchestrated disinformation campaign;
Whereas Russian attempts to disrupt and discredit democratic electoral processes 
        in Ukraine have direct and negative consequences for the American 
        people, as Ukraine has served as a ``testing ground'' for Russian 
        techniques later employed in the United States and Europe;
Whereas a democratic electoral process, the results of which are seen as highly 
        credible by all Ukrainians and the international community, will 
        demonstrate the commitment of the new Ukrainian administration to 
        continuing or accelerating reform processes begun by its predecessors; 
        and
Whereas the Congress considers itself a partner to the Ukrainian people and 
        government in supporting democratic reform, including elections: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) expresses its full support to the Ukrainian people in 
        their aspirations for fully consolidated democracy and the rule 
        of law;
            (2) supports and stands ready to help Ukraine fight Russian 
        attempts to undermine the Ukrainian people's unified support 
        for democratic values;
            (3) supports and stands ready to help Ukraine administer a 
        snap parliamentary election that fully meets international 
        democratic standards;
            (4) calls on the Ukrainian Central Election Commission to 
        take all regulatory and logistical steps possible to ensure 
        that all Ukrainians can vote, including those in the occupied 
        territories and those with disabilities; and
            (5) calls on social media platforms to establish a 
        meaningful presence in Ukraine to be responsive to any concerns 
        raised by electoral stakeholders and to better mitigate any 
        abuses of their products.
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