22 U.S.C. § 8928: Support for Russian…

Summary

The Secretary of State must help build and protect democracy in Russia, working directly or through nongovernmental and international groups (for example, the OSCE and the National Endowment for Democracy). Work must include improving governance, transparency, rule of law, and anti‑corruption; strengthening democratic institutions and civil society; expanding uncensored Internet access; and increasing access to independent media, including more U.S. government‑supported broadcasting and help for journalists and activists targeted for speaking out. Up to $20,000,000 is authorized for each of fiscal years 2016, 2017, and 2018 to pay for these activities. Not later than 60 days after December 18, 2014, the President must send a strategy to the Senate Foreign Relations and Appropriations Committees and the House Foreign Affairs and Appropriations Committees. Any help must be as transparent as possible, and the President must brief those committees on request.

Title 22, §8928

Foreign Relations and Intercourse, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)In general

The Secretary of State shall, directly or through nongovernmental or international organizations, such as the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, the National Endowment for Democracy, and related organizations—

(1)improve democratic governance, transparency, accountability, rule of law, and anti-corruption efforts in the Russian Federation;

(2)strengthen democratic institutions and political and civil society organizations in the Russian Federation;

(3)expand uncensored Internet access in the Russian Federation; and

(4)expand free and unfettered access to independent media of all kinds in the Russian Federation, including through increasing United States Government-supported broadcasting activities, and assist with the protection of journalists and civil society activists who have been targeted for free speech activities.

(b)Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of State $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2016 through 2018 to carry out the activities set forth in subsection (a).

(c)Strategy requirement

Not later than 60 days after December 18, 2014, the President shall submit a strategy to carry out the activities set forth in subsection (a) to—

(1)the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; and

(2)the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives.

(d)Transparency requirements

Any assistance provided pursuant to this section shall be conducted in as transparent of a manner as possible, consistent with the nature and goals of this section. The President shall provide a briefing on the activities funded by this section at the request of the committees specified in subsection (c).

Executive Documents

Delegation of Functions Functions of President under subsec. (c) of this section delegated to Secretary of State by Memorandum of President of the United States, Feb. 19, 2015, 80 F.R. 12071, set out as a note under section 8925 of this title.

§8928 Support for Russian Democracy and Civil Society Organizations

Summary

Title 22, §8928

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Executive Documents

Citations & Metadata