Dreier to Head House Democracy Assistance Commission

May 18, 2005

WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman David Dreier (R-San Dimas), Chairman of the House Rules Committee, has been appointed by Speaker of the House J. Dennis Hastert to chair the newly formed House Democracy Assistance Commission, a bipartisan commission that will provide advice and assistance to legislative bodies in developing democracies. The Commission consists of 16 members, 9 Republicans and 7 Democrats. The lead Democrat will be Congressman David Price (D-NC).

“The importance of promoting democracy worldwide is at an all-time high,” Dreier said. “From the Rose Revolution in Georgia to the Orange Revolution in the Ukraine to the Cedar Revolution in Lebanon and the votes in Iraq and Afghanistan, democracy is on the rise. Just this week we learned that Kuwait has granted women the right to vote. We have, in some ways, underestimated the potential for democratic expansion in the past two years. This Commission will be a very positive, bipartisan opportunity for members of both parties to talk about legislating, not just politics.”

The Commission’s mission is to strengthen democratic institutions by assisting parliaments in emerging democracies. Central to the Commission’s work will be the provision of technical expertise enhancing accountability, transparency, legislative independence, and government oversight in foreign parliaments. The Commission was established by the House in March when it approved H. Res. 135. It will offer to work with the parliaments of selected countries that have established or are developing democratic parliaments which could benefit from the Commission’s assistance. It will enable Members, officers, and staff of the House Representatives ad Congressional support officers to provide expert advice to members and staff of the parliaments of selected countries. This may include visits to the House and support agencies, such as the Congressional Research Service (CRS) or Congressional Budget Office (CBO), to observe their operations first hand. The Commission will also make recommendations to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) regarding the provision of needed material assistance to such parliaments to improve the efficiency and transparency of their work.”

Dreier said that it is sometimes the most basic legislative functions that are the most important. “We know that the real work of democracy begins only after the election. Central to the success of any democracy is a functional, strong, independent legislature which can act as a check on the executive branch. Through this Commission, the House of Representatives will be able to advise its counterparts n subjects like committee operations, oversight, constituent relations and parliamentary procedure. This effort will be good for America as well, spreading goodwill across the globe.”

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