Central American Network for Democracy Act

Bill: 117-hr-9273
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Torres, Norma J. [D-CA-35]
Introduced: 2022-11-03
Policy area: International Affairs
Latest action: action_date: 2022-11-03
text: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Summaries:
action_date: 2022-11-03
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Central American Network for Democracy Act</b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">This bill requires the Department of State to establish a fellowship program to support a regional corps of civil society activists, lawyers, journalists, and investigators for regional democracy and rule of law activities in Central America.</p>

tv_txt: I 117th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 9273 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES November 3, 2022 Mrs. Torres of California (for herself and Mr. Sires ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs A BILL To direct the Secretary of State to establish a fellowship program for regional democracy and rule of law activities in Central America.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Central American Network for Democracy Act . 2. Department of State fellowships for regional democracy and rule of law activities in Central America (a) Establishment The Secretary of State shall establish a fellowship program, to be known as the Central American Network for Democracy , to support a regional corps of civil society activists, lawyers (including members of the judiciary and prosecutors’ offices), journalists, and investigators for regional democracy and rule of law activities in Central America. (b) Elements The fellowship program required by subsection (a) shall— (1) provide a temporary respite for members of the regional corps in a safe environment; (2) allow members of the regional corps to continue to work through engagement with universities, think tanks, government actors, and international organizations; and (3) assist members of the regional corps in leveraging lessons learned in order to contribute to regional democracy and rule of law activities in Central America, including electoral and transition support, institutional reform, anti-corruption investigations, and local engagement. (c) Regional and international support The Secretary of State shall take such steps as may be necessary— (1) to obtain support for the fellowship program required by subsection (a) from international foundations, regional and United States governmental and nongovernmental organizations, and regional and United States universities; and (2) to ensure the fellowship program is well coordinated with and complementary of existing mechanisms, such as the Lifeline Embattled CSO Assistance Fund. (d) Focus; safety Activities carried out under the fellowship program required by subsection (a)— (1) should focus on coordination and consultation with key agencies and international bodies to continue their democracy efforts, including the Department of State, the United States Agency for International Development, the Department of Justice, the Department of the Treasury, the Organization of American States, the Inter-American Court for Human Rights, and the United Nations; and (2) may include strengthened protection for the physical safety of individuals who must leave their home country to participate in the program, including assistance for temporary relocation, English language learning, and mental health support. (e) Authorization of Appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2023.