To foster Tunisia’s democratic institutions, to limit funds until Tunisia restores checks and balances, and to authorize the creation of a fund to support democratic reforms.
About This Bill
Introduced
Latest Action · July 25, 2023
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 152.
This bill responds to Tunisian President Kais Saied's consolidation of power since 2021, including suspending parliament, weakening the judiciary, cracking down on opposition figures and journalists, and extending a state of emergency. It requires the State Department to withhold 25 percent of certain U.S. foreign assistance and security funding to the Tunisian government for fiscal years 2024 and 2025, unless the Secretary of State certifies that Tunisia has ended its use of military courts against civilians, released political prisoners, and terminated its state of emergency; funding for Tunisian civil society groups is exempt from this restriction. The bill also authorizes creation of a $100 million-per-year Tunisia Democracy Support Fund for 2024 and 2025 to promote democratic reforms and economic stability, though this money cannot be spent until Tunisia shows measurable progress on benchmarks like restoring an independent judiciary and parliament, protecting free speech and press, and allowing civil society groups to operate freely. The Secretary of State can waive the funding restrictions if doing so is certified as being in the national interest. The bill requires annual reports to Congress on Tunisia's democratic progress through 2028, and the entire act expires five years after enactment.
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