# 119-s-1909: Western Balkans Democracy and Prosperity Act 119-s-1909, Western Balkans Democracy and Prosperity Act, is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH] (D-NH); status introduced; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2025-12-21). - Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-1909 - As of: 2025-12-21 - Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts. ## Facts - Bill: 119-s-1909 - Congress: 119 - Title: Western Balkans Democracy and Prosperity Act - Status: introduced - Introduced: 2025-05-22 - Sponsor: Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH] (D-NH) - Cosponsors: 1 - Policy area: International Affairs - Touches household money: yes - Last recorded action: 2025-12-21 ## Summary **Strengthen democratic and economic resilience in the Western Balkans** by expanding U.S. trade and investment, codifying sanctions, and funding programs to fight corruption, boost cyber defenses, and support civil society. - Codifies and preserves U.S. sanctions authorities tied to Executive Orders 13219 and 14033, allows presidential waivers with committee notice, and sets an 8-year sunset on those sanctions. - Requires a regional economic development and democratic resilience strategy within 180 days and creates a Regional Trade and Development Initiative to grow U.S. exports, support small and medium enterprises, and mobilize diaspora and private investment. - Funds anti-corruption programs and independent media support, rebrands and expands a Young Balkan Leaders Initiative with fellowship elements, and mandates a one-year interagency cyber report plus biannual unclassified reports on Russian and Chinese influence. ## Cosponsors (1) - Sen. Wicker, Roger F. [R-MS] (R-MS), 2025-05-22T00:00:00.000Z ## Provisions PRIA read - Regional trade help for small businesses: benefit, medium. If enacted, the State Department and USAID would coordinate a regional trade initiative covering the Western Balkans. It would help small businesses export more, find investors, and get training and export support. The program would connect startups, diaspora investors, and help governments make fa… - New anti-corruption program for Balkans: benefit, medium. If enacted, the U.S. would set up an anti-corruption program for each Western Balkans country. It would fund training for police, judges, election and procurement officials and strengthen laws on open records and procurement. The program would boost cyber defenses and support independent media and… - Fellowships and training for young leaders: benefit, medium. If enacted, the existing BOLD program would expand across the Western Balkans and be rebranded the Young Balkan Leaders Initiative. Young people ages 18 to 35 would be eligible for fellowships, training, networking, and professional development. Programs would teach business, tech, cybersecurity, a… - U.S. university partnerships in Balkans: benefit, low. If enacted, the Secretary of State could provide grants to link U.S. universities with Western Balkans universities. Grants could fund research on foreign policy, cyber resilience, and disinformation, plus teacher training and English instruction. The program would support exchanges and help unders… - DFC consider a Balkans regional office: benefit, low. If enacted, the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation would be required to consider adding a regional office for the Western Balkans within one year. The DFC must coordinate with the State Department on this review. Any actual office or new financing would depend on Congress approving… - Codify and continue Western Balkans sanctions: mixed, medium. If enacted, this would codify and continue U.S. sanctions authorities tied to the Western Balkans for 8 years. People already listed would remain designated unless waived or removed. The President could grant waivers for up to 180 days with at least 15 days notice to Congress. Transactions for food… ## Related bills - 119-s-2296: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 - 119-s-4784: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027 - 119-s-1748: Kids Online Safety Act - 119-s-2904: SHADOW Fleet Sanctions Act of 2026 - 119-s-3990: PrEP Access and Coverage Act of 2026 - 119-s-5025: Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia Act of 2026 ## Sources - [119-s-1909 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/1909) ## Related - [119-s-2296: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-2296) - [119-s-4784: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-4784) - [119-s-1748: Kids Online Safety Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-1748) - [119-s-2904: SHADOW Fleet Sanctions Act of 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-2904) - [119-s-3990: PrEP Access and Coverage Act of 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-3990) - [119-s-5025: Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia Act of 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-5025) - [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation) Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-1909 (as of 2025-12-21).