[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 843 Introduced in House (IH)]

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115th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 843

 Reaffirming the importance of preserving free and fair elections and 
 strengthening democratic institutions in the Western Hemisphere as a 
                 policy priority for the United States.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             April 24, 2018

Mrs. Torres (for herself, Mr. Poe of Texas, Mr. Engel, and Mr. Francis 
   Rooney of Florida) submitted the following resolution; which was 
              referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Reaffirming the importance of preserving free and fair elections and 
 strengthening democratic institutions in the Western Hemisphere as a 
                 policy priority for the United States.

Whereas free, fair, transparent, and credible elections are the cornerstone of 
        every democracy;
Whereas legitimate elections that respect fundamental freedoms are characterized 
        by transparency, accountability, security, and accessibility for all 
        voters;
Whereas strong democracies worldwide make for better trading partners, provide 
        new market opportunities, improve global health outcomes, and promote 
        economic freedom and regional security;
Whereas several countries across Latin America are scheduled to hold 
        presidential elections in 2018, and approximately three-quarters of the 
        region's citizens will choose their new leaders;
Whereas the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, and Latin America are bound 
        together by history, culture, and geography;
Whereas democratic stability, regional security, and economic prosperity in the 
        Western Hemisphere are vital to the national security interests of the 
        United States;
Whereas the transition to democracy has contributed to the long-term stability, 
        security, and prosperity of nations throughout the Western Hemisphere;
Whereas the Inter-American Democratic Charter states that ``representative 
        democracy is indispensable for the stability, peace, and development of 
        the region'';
Whereas the current Secretary General of the Organization of American States 
        (OAS), Luis Almagro, has advocated on behalf of free and fair elections 
        in the Western Hemisphere;
Whereas in 2017, the OAS sent technical missions to observe elections in 
        Nicaragua, Honduras, Haiti, Ecuador, and Bolivia;
Whereas the deterioration of democratic institutions and rule of law that 
        commenced under the leadership of President Hugo Chavez has contributed 
        to the dictatorship that exists today in Venezuela under the leadership 
        of President Nicolas Maduro, which has caused a serious humanitarian, 
        economic, and security crisis that threatens the stability of the 
        Western Hemisphere;
Whereas the Russian Federation has repeatedly attempted to interfere in 
        democratic elections, including in the United States, France, and 
        Germany, including through carrying out disinformation campaigns and 
        seeking to penetrate election infrastructure;
Whereas there are concerns that state and nonstate actors, such as 
        narcotraffickers, may attempt to interfere in this year's elections in 
        the Western Hemisphere, including through carrying out disinformation 
        campaigns, fraud, and seeking to penetrate election infrastructure;
Whereas any such activities have the potential to contribute to the degradation 
        of democratic institutions and the rise of instability in the Western 
        Hemisphere; and
Whereas the former United States National Security Advisor has stated that there 
        were ``initial signs'' that the Russian Federation intends to interfere 
        in the upcoming general elections in Mexico: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) reaffirms the centrality to United States interests of 
        preserving free and fair elections and advancing democratic 
        institutions in the Western Hemisphere;
            (2) reaffirms its support for the Inter-American Democratic 
        Charter and the work of domestic election observation and 
        international election observation missions, such as those led 
        by the Organization of American States and the European Union, 
        to promote free and fair elections in the Western Hemisphere;
            (3) rejects actions by the Government of Venezuela that 
        damage the credibility of elections in Venezuela this year;
            (4) urges political leaders and judicial authorities in the 
        Western Hemisphere to respect the will of voters and uphold the 
        constitutions of their respective countries; and
            (5) rejects efforts by the Russian Federation and other 
        hostile state or nonstate actors, including narcotraffickers, 
        to interfere with the outcomes of elections in the Western 
        Hemisphere and urges countries in the Western Hemisphere to 
        maintain vigilance to safeguard their democratic institutions 
        during this year's elections.
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