Bitcoin Magazine
Bipartisan Legislation Acknowledges Bitcoin As A Tool That Bolsters Democracy
On Wednesday, Rep. Gabe Amo’s office released a press announcement highlighting the reintroduction of a bipartisan resolution by Rep. Amo and Rep. Kim (R-CA). This resolution advocates for the use of distributed ledger technologies (DLT), including blockchain, as mechanisms to “enhance democratic governance, uphold human rights, foster freedom of information, and promote transparency and innovation globally.”
This resolution, while lacking a direct link to its full text in the press release, calls on federal bodies to investigate and support DLT. It also conveys Congress’s dedication to fostering responsible innovation in this technological sector.
In the press announcement, Rep. Kim emphasized the significance of these technologies.
“American leadership in pioneering technologies like blockchain not only enriches the lives of U.S. citizens but also bolsters transparency in our foreign aid efforts, human rights advocacy, and the promotion of freedom worldwide,” stated Rep. Kim.
“This legislation is crucial, particularly as we witness the Chinese Communist Party exporting its surveillance technologies alongside authoritarian practices internationally. I take pride in partnering with Congressman Amo to champion this bipartisan resolution, which ensures that the United States serves as a beacon of hope, freedom, and innovation on the global stage,” she added.
The press announcement further noted an instance in Screven County, Georgia, where the Bitcoin blockchain was utilized to secure election results and ensure transparency for voters. This was linked to an article detailing the occurrence.
Simple Proof, the firm that assisted Screven County officials in committing election tallies to the immutable Bitcoin blockchain, also recently aided Republican officials in Williamson County, Tennessee, securing the results of their Republican leadership vote.
Simple Proof gained recognition after it played a critical role in ensuring the integrity of the most recent presidential election in Guatemala, a narrative captured in the short documentary Immutable Democracy. The election results were secured on the Bitcoin blockchain, maintaining the elections’ integrity despite attempts to interfere with the physical ballots post-voting.
The company’s initiatives in both domestic and international contexts underscore a point made by Rep. Amo in the press announcement.
“Innovative technologies like blockchain contribute to greater transparency and reinforce democratic institutions worldwide,” said the congressman.
While the press release illustrated the Bitcoin blockchain’s application in preserving democratic values, it did not distinguish between Bitcoin and other blockchains, many of which are inherently less secure.
This article about the Proposed Bipartisan Legislation Acknowledging Bitcoin As A Tool That Fortifies Democracy originally appeared in Bitcoin Magazine and was authored by Frank Corva.
