Back in February, Congressman Tom Lantos introduced an interesting bill to the US House of Representatives: The Advance Democracy Act of 2007. It is registered by the Library of Congress as H.R.982.
The legislation would:
Establish a Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor within the Department of State
Create positions for Democracy Liaison Officers in the Department of State
Require the Secretary of the Treasury, the Attorney General, the Directory of National Intelligence to monitor and document the flow of money within the United States from foreign nondemocratic governments
Establish a Democracy Fellowship Program to encourage coordination between Congress and the Department of State on matters related to the promotion of democratic institutions around the world
Create two studies by the Advisory Committee on Democracy Promotion to evaluate the ways in which organizations are working around the world to promote democracy, and understand how the Department of State can better help these organizations
Create a government web site dedicated to global democracy and human rights
Develop pro-democratic programs by the United States missions in nondemocratic nations and nations transitioning to democracy
Provide funds for an International Center for Democratic Transition, dedicated to helping nations move from dictatorship to democracy. The center has already been proposed by the government of Hungary, and has the support of other European nations
Strengthen the Human Rights and Democracy Fund, already in place
Give new energy to the effort to create a Democracy Caucus within the General Assembly of the United Nations
Require the White House to use the Department of State and the Ambassador-at-Large for War Crimes Issues to investigate violations of international humanitarian law by the leaders of other nations
Promoting democracy around the world without dropping bombs on anybody. What a radical idea.
Yesterday, the Advance Democracy Act of 2007 took another little step forward toward being considered by the full House of Representatives. It was placed on the Union Calendar of the House. A couple of days ago, six members of the House of Representatives added their names as co-sponsors to the bill, bringing the number of co-sponsors up to 17. These new co-sponsors are:
Earl Blumenauer of Oregon
John Boozman of Arkansas
Madeleine Bordallo of Guam
Rus Holt of New Jersey
Robert Rush of Illinois
Allyson Schwartz of Pennsylvania
That Representative Boozman is a Republican. Take note, Democrats in the House of Representatives. If a Republican from Arkansas can support this pro-democracy legislation, surely you can too.
Readers, please call up your representatives in the US House, and urge them to add their names as co-sponsors of the Advance Democracy Act of 2007.
About jclifford
A senior writer for Irregular Times. Formerly an antiaquarian speech pathologist.
