§ 8928. Support for Russian democracy and civil society organizations

• (a) The Secretary of State shall, directly or through nongovernmental or international organizations, such as the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, the National Endowment for Democracy, and related organizations—
  • (1) improve democratic governance, transparency, accountability, rule of law, and anti-corruption efforts in the Russian Federation;
  • (2) strengthen democratic institutions and political and civil society organizations in the Russian Federation;
  • (3) expand uncensored Internet access in the Russian Federation; and
  • (4) expand free and unfettered access to independent media of all kinds in the Russian Federation, including through increasing United States Government-supported broadcasting activities, and assist with the protection of journalists and civil society activists who have been targeted for free speech activities.
• (b) There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of State $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2016 through 2018 to carry out the activities set forth in subsection (a).
• (c) Not later than 60 days after December 18, 2014 , the President shall submit a strategy to carry out the activities set forth in subsection (a) to—
  • (1) the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; and
  • (2) the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives.
• (d) Any assistance provided pursuant to this section shall be conducted in as transparent of a manner as possible, consistent with the nature and goals of this section. The President shall provide a briefing on the activities funded by this section at the request of the committees specified in subsection (c).