Findings

Congress makes the following findings: (1) The Department of State’s mission is to protect and promote security, prosperity, and democratic values, not to pursue the interests of any political party in the United States or abroad. (2) Meeting with and building relationships with a range of political parties in foreign countries are appropriate and important functions consistent with the duties of any United States Ambassador or representative of the United States Government abroad. (3) It is the longstanding and bipartisan practice of the United States to encourage the rule of law and free speech abroad, without regard for political party or affiliation. (4) The use of United States embassy or consulate grounds, or the grounds of any other United States diplomatic post, to raise funds for any foreign political party or candidate in a foreign democratic electoral process is inappropriate and distinct from longstanding Department of State efforts to stand against corruption and advance democratic institutions and values around the world.