Russian Democracy Act of 2002
Public Law 107-246 · H.R. 2121 · 107th Congress · began in the House
Signed by George W. Bush (R) on Oct 23, 2002 · International Affairs
Sponsor: Rep. Tom Lantos (D-CA-12)
Cosponsors (13): Rep. Eni Faleomavaega, Rep. Marcy Kaptur,
Passage votes
- HouseVoice vote
- SenateUnanimous consent
Data notes
The final version of the law, as each chamber passed it. A chamber that passed it by voice vote or unanimous consent has no count. “Method not stated” means the record does not say how the chamber voted. Where the record has a member-by-member vote, the “Who voted for it” section shows who voted yea.
Summary
The Congressional Research Service’s plain-language summary of what the law does.
Russian Democracy Act of 2002 - (Sec. 3) Declares it shall be U.S. policy to: (1) facilitate Russia's integration into the Western community of nations, including supporting the establishment of a stable democracy and a market economy within the framework of the rule of law and respect for individual rights, and including its membership in appropriate international institutions; (2) engage the Government of the Russian Federation and Russian society to strengthen democratic reform and institutions, and to promote transparency and good governance in all aspects of society, including fair and honest business practices, accessible and open legal systems, freedom of religion, and respect for human rights; (3) incorporate democratic reforms, the promotion of an independent media, and economic reforms in a broader U.S. dialogue with such Government; (4) encourage such Government to address, in a cooperative and transparent manner consistent with internationally recognized and accepted principles, cross-border issues, including the nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction, environmental degradation, crime, trafficking, and corruption; (5) consult with such Government and the Russian Parliament on the adoption of economic and social reforms necessary to sustain Russian economic growth and to ensure Russia's transition to a market economy and membership in the World Trade Organization; (6) persuade the Government of the Russian Federation to honor its commitments to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) at the November 1999 Istanbul Conference and to be a good neighbor toward other independent states of the former Soviet Union in the spirit of internationally accepted principles of regional cooperation; and (7) encourage G-8 partners and international financial institutions, including the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development to develop financial safeguards and transparency practices in lending to the Russian Federation.
(Sec. 4) Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to include among activities eligible for U.S. assistance to the independent states of the former Soviet Union any activities for the promotion of democracy, rule of law, transparency, international exchanges and other forms of public diplomacy, human rights, economic reforms, administration of justice, and the development of a free and independent media in Russia. Authorizes the President to carry out specified related activities in providing such assistance to Russia.
(Sec. 5) Urges Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and the Voice of America to use new and innovative techniques, in cooperation with local independent media sources and using local languages as appropriate and as possible, to disseminate information throughout the Russian Federation relating to democracy, free-market economics, rule of law, and human rights.
(Sec. 6) Authorizes appropriations for FY 2003.
Committees
The committees the bill was sent to, and what each did with it.
Data notes
A committee links to its page only where it exists in the current Congress; older and renamed committees are named without a link.
Timeline
From introduction to signing, newest first: the committees, the floor and the president. 18 actions.
- Oct 23, 2002Became lawBecame law · Became Public Law No: 107-246.
- Became lawBecame law · Signed by President.
- Oct 11, 2002PresidentPresident · Presented to President.
- Oct 7, 2002Resolving differencesResolving differences · Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Resolving differencesResolving differences · On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendments Agreed to by voice vote.
- Resolving differencesResolving differences · Mr. Smith (NJ) moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendments.
- FloorFloor · DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendments to H.R. 2121.
- Sep 20, 2002FloorFloor · Passed Senate with an amendment and an amendment to the Title by Unanimous Consent.
- FloorFloor · Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent.
- Aug 1, 2002CommitteeCommittee · Reported by Senate Foreign Relations Committee
- CommitteeCommittee · Markup by Senate Foreign Relations Committee
- Dec 12, 2001CommitteeCommittee · Referred to Senate Foreign Relations Committee
- Dec 11, 2001FloorFloor · Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- FloorFloor · On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
- FloorFloor · Mr. Bereuter moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
- Nov 1, 2001CommitteeCommittee · Markup by House Foreign Affairs Committee
- Jun 12, 2001CommitteeCommittee · Referred to House Foreign Affairs Committee
- IntroducedIntroduced · Introduced in the House
Data notes
Shows the introduction, each committee and subcommittee step the source dates (referral, hearings, markup, report, discharge), and the floor, conference, presidential and became-law steps. Calendar placements, messages between the chambers, amendments and committee report numbers are not shown for laws before the 108th Congress. Two entries the source lists twice are shown once.
Official record
The bill’s full text and every action, including introduction and committee steps, are on Congress.gov. Data through Oct 7, 2026.