Bipartisan measure recognizes the potential of blockchains to advance democratic values and humanitarian aid delivery
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Representatives Young Kim (CA-40) and Gabe Amo (RI-01) reintroduced a bipartisan resolution that recognizes the potential of distributed ledger technologies (DLT) such as blockchain to support democratic governance, human rights, freedom of information, transparency, and innovation around the world.
The resolution urges the agencies across the United States government to explore and support the development and application of DLT and expresses Congress’s commitment to advancing responsible innovation.
“U.S. leadership in emerging technologies like blockchain not only improves Americans’ lives but also helps us advance transparency in U.S. foreign assistance, human rights, and freedom across the globe,” said Congresswoman Kim, who serves as chairwoman of the East Asia and Pacific Subcommittee. “This legislation is vital, especially as we see the Chinese Communist Party exporting its surveillance technologies and authoritarianism abroad. I am proud to join Congressman Amo to lead this bipartisan resolution to ensure the United States shines as a beacon of hope, freedom, and innovation on the world stage.”
“Innovative solutions like distributed ledger technologies help promote transparency and strengthen democratic institutions around the world,” said Congressman Amo, Vice Ranking Member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. “I am proud to once again partner with Congresswoman Young Kim on this bipartisan resolution to advance the United States’ continued leadership in emerging technology like blockchain as we work to uphold American values and interests around the world.”
BACKGROUND
DLT is the technological infrastructure and protocols which allow simultaneous access, validation, and record updating across a networked database. Blockchain, an advanced database mechanism, is created from this technology.
DLT offers new and innovative solutions to pressing challenges across governance, economic systems, and humanitarian efforts, including:
- Enhancing transparency. By securely recording transactions, DLT has the potential to help reduce fraud and corruption, ensuring greater government accountability. DLT has enhanced transparency in nation-states like Georgia, where blockchain transformed land registration and reduced corruption while protecting property rights.
- Empowering democratic governance. DLT has the potential to strengthen democratic institutions and processes. In the 2024 election, DLT was also used domestically in Screven County, Georgia to ensure that the election results could not be altered and to provide transparency to their voters.
- Improving the delivery of global aid. DLT has shown potential to minimize fraud and improve the transparency and efficiency in global aid distribution. It is already being used by the World Food Programme’s Building Blocks project to provide aid in Jordan, Bangladesh, Lebanon, and Ukraine.
