U.S. International Leadership Act Passes House

June 23, 2004

Legislation based on a report issued by Congressman David Dreier (R-San Dimas), Chairman of the House Rules Committee, and former Congressman Lee Hamilton (D-IN) and the Council on Foreign Relations and Freedom House was approved by the U.S. House today with bipartisan support. The U.S. International Leadership Act (USILA) of 2004, H.R. 4053, passed 365-56.

“As we prepare to hand over sovereignty to the new Iraqi government, we are taking stock of how important democracy building is in the global war on terror,” Dreier said. “Helping to establish a democracy in Iraq, just as we did in Afghanistan, means we are taking away safe harbors for terrorists. Incredible challenges remain in the days and weeks ahead, but incredible change is possible. An Iraqi democracy will make clear to the terrorists that their vision of death and despair cannot defeat liberty and freedom.”

The USILA will redouble our efforts at multilateral and international organizations, and make them more effective for American interests. The USILA institutes the concept of a “democracy caucus” at international organizations and will provide the United States with a coalition of like-minded states that can better defeat the efforts of rogue regimes at multilateral forums. It will also help the State Department better serve our national interests at international organizations by increasing training in multilateral diplomacy, providing incentives to foreign service officers to become specialists in multilateral diplomacy, and by creating an Office on Multilateral Negotiations at the State Department. The Office on Multilateral Negotiations will be headed by a Special Representative for Multilateral Negotiations, with the rank of Ambassador.

“It is past time for us to take action to ensure that our efforts to combat terrorism and promote global human rights and democracy at the United Nations are no longer impeded by a small band of dictators,” Dreier said. “This legislation provides the tools necessary for the United States to advance the agenda of freedom, human rights, and respect for the rule of law worldwide.”

Dreier commended his California colleague Congressman Tom Lantos (D-CA) for his leadership on the issue and his sponsorship of the resolution. “Tom Lantos has a unique understanding of the importance of freedom,” Dreier said. “I was very pleased to work with him on this legislation and thank him for his tremendous commitment to the pursuit of freedom for all people.”