[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 88 (Friday, May 24, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E676]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 GLOBAL ELECTORAL EXCHANGE ACT OF 2019

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. MARK MEADOWS

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 20, 2019

  Mr. MEADOWS. Madam Speaker, fair, trustworthy, and accountable 
elections are critical to defending freedom among our international 
partners and are fundamental to our identity as a nation. The 
professionalism of election administrators globally is essential for 
preserving democracy across the world. The Global Electoral Exchange 
Act gives America a new tool to use in this important work by sending 
election administrators and officials, including government officials, 
polling workers, civil society representatives, members of the 
judiciary, and others who participate in the organization and 
administration of an election and other American experts abroad to 
strengthen new democracies and share best practices.
  Under our bill, those responsible for administering elections outside 
of the United States could also come here, observing our own processes 
and taking valuable lessons back home. By keeping the world safe for 
our basic values we also help stave off the violence in at-risk 
democracies that all too often follows poorly-run, unfree elections and 
that often benefits those would do our nation harm. Put simply, 
American citizens and businesses are safer when we strengthen good 
governance and freedom in the world's democracies.
  I want to thank my friend and colleague Joaquin Castro for working 
with me on this bill in both the 115th and the 116th Congresses, and I 
applaud his bipartisan leadership and hard work on this important 
issue.