“Advance Democracy Act”

Mccain, Lieberman Introduce “Advance Democracy Act”

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators John McCain (R-AZ) and Joe Lieberman (D-CT) today introduced legislation designed to strengthen significantly the ability of the U.S. government to promote democracy abroad. It directs and authorizes practical steps to advance liberty, freedom, and democracy around the globe.

Congressmen Frank Wolf, Chairman of the Commerce-State-Justice Appropriations Subcommittee, and Tom Lantos, Ranking Member on the House International Relations Committee, introduced identical legislation in the House.

“The promotion of democracy and freedom is simply inseparable from the long term security of the United States,” said Senator McCain. “When the security of New York or Washington or California depends in part of the degree on freedom in Riyadh or Baghdad or Cairo, then we must promote democracy, the rule of law and social modernization just as we promote the sophistication of our weapons and the modernization of our militaries. The bill we are introducing today will strengthen America’s ability to do just that.”

“From the dawn of the 20th century,” added Senator Lieberman, “presidents from Wilson to Roosevelt, Truman, and Kennedy knew that America’s vital interests are best secured when we help others find their own voice of freedom. The ADVANCE Democracy Act sends a profound message to the world that the unfinished work enshrined in the Declaration of Independence is within our global grasp if we stand with those who struggle mightily for liberty.”

The ADVANCE Democracy bill enshrines a fundamental lesson of September 11: where repression rules, the lack of political participation and economic opportunity engenders despair and even extremism in the hearts of some. Promoting democracy fulfills America’s moral mandate and bolsters our national security. As the recent events in Georgia, Ukraine, Afghanistan, Iraq, and the Palestinian Territories illustrate so dramatically, the desire of people to live free is universal.

The ADVANCE Democracy bill would strengthen America’s ability to promote democracy in a number of ways, including by:

• Establishing a new office of Democracy Movements and Transitions at the State Department and separate Regional Democracy Hubs at several embassies abroad;
• Creating a Democracy Promotion Advisory Board to provide outside expertise to the U.S. Government;
• Authorizing $250 million in increased funding for democracy promotion over two years;
• Requiring an annual report on democracy to include action plans to promote democracy in nondemocratic countries; and Providing training and incentives for State Department personnel in the promotion of democracy

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 3, 2005 Contact: Casey Aden-Wansbury Phone: 202.224.4041