On Wednesday, Rep. Gabe Amo’s office announced the reintroduction of a bipartisan resolution by Rep. Amo and Rep. Kim (R-CA). This resolution supports using distributed ledger technologies (DLT), including blockchain, to enhance democratic governance, uphold human rights, promote freedom of information, and foster global transparency and innovation. Although the press release lacks a direct link to the full text, it emphasizes the need for federal bodies to explore and support DLT, highlighting Congress’s commitment to fostering responsible innovation in this field.
Rep. Kim stressed the importance of these technologies, stating, “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 global freedom promotion.” She also highlighted the legislation’s significance in countering the international spread of surveillance technologies by the Chinese Communist Party, expressing pride in collaborating with Congressman Amo on this bipartisan resolution to position the United States as a beacon of hope, freedom, and innovation worldwide.
The press announcement also referenced an incident in Screven County, Georgia, where the Bitcoin blockchain was utilized to secure election results and ensure voter transparency, as detailed in an article. Simple Proof, the firm assisting Screven County officials in recording election tallies on the immutable Bitcoin blockchain, recently helped Republican officials in Williamson County, Tennessee, secure the results of their Republican leadership vote. Simple Proof gained recognition for ensuring the integrity of Guatemala’s recent presidential election, documented in the short film “Immutable Democracy.” The election results were preserved on the Bitcoin blockchain, maintaining integrity despite challenges to physical ballots.
Rep. Amo’s press announcement underscored the importance of innovative technologies like blockchain in promoting transparency and reinforcing democratic institutions globally. While highlighting Bitcoin blockchain’s role in safeguarding democratic values, the release did not differentiate between Bitcoin and other, potentially less secure, blockchains.
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