Commending the Government of Afghanistan for certifying the results of the national election held on April 5, 2014, and urging the Government of Afghanistan to continue to pursue a "transparent, credible, and inclusive" run-off presidential election on June 14, 2014, while ensuring the safety of voters and candidates.

Bill: 113-hres-591
Sponsor: Rep. Grayson, Alan [D-FL-9]
Introduced: 2014-05-21 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Afghanistan
Asia
Congressional tributes
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Elections, voting, political campaign regulation
Foreign aid and international relief
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Government ethics and transparency, public corruption
Human rights
Intelligence activities, surveillance, classified information
International organizations and cooperation
Military operations and strategy
Military personnel and dependents
Political movements and philosophies
Rule of law and government transparency
Telephone and wireless communication
United Nations
Voting rights
Women's rights

Summary:
action_date: 2014-05-21
text: 
Commends the government of Afghanistan for holding the first round of a presidential election on April 5, 2014, and for preparing for the peaceful transition to a new government.
 
Encourages the government of Afghanistan to implement measures that will increase voter participation, particularly among the Afghan female population.
 
Salutes the bravery of the Afghan citizenry in facing violence and death to exercise their right to vote. 
 
Encourages all elements of Afghan society to restrain themselves and their supporters from fomenting disturbances in voting areas. 
 
Advises that the Ministry of Communications leave texting capabilities functional on election day. 
 
Commends the Afghan government for reducing the number of casualties on election day, and urges the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) to continue efforts to ensure the safety of voters and candidates. 
 
Remembers those members of the ANSF who gave their lives protecting their democracy on April 5, 2014, and honors service members from U.S., coalition, and Afghan forces who have been killed or injured in defense of the democratic rights of the Afghan people. 
 
Supports the U.N. mandate to assist Afghan electoral bodies and other stakeholders with technical preparations and the promotion of an inclusive democratic process. 
 
Recommends a pause in the drawdown of U.S. and International Security Assistance Force security, intelligence, and diplomatic assets until June 14, 2014. 
 
Recognizes the substantial investments made by U.S. taxpayers in support of democracy in Afghanistan. 
 
Reaffirms the U.S. policy position that successful political transition is an essential prerequisite for sustainable security in Afghanistan.
 
Concurs in the Senate's urging of the Secretary of State to condition financial and logistical support for future Afghanistan elections on the implementation of reforms that would increase female participation and combat fraud throughout the electoral process.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2014-05-21
text: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2014-05-21
text: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2014-05-21
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2014-05-21
text: Introduced in House