A bipartisan bill designed to boost U.S. efforts to promote democracy abroad was introduced in both the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate on March 2. Senators John McCain (R-AZ) and Joe Lieberman (D-CT) are introducing the “Advance Democratic Values, Address Nondemocratic Countries and Enhance Democracy Act of 2005" (ADVANCE) in the Senate; and Representatives Frank Wolf (R-VA) and Tom Lantos (D-CA) are introducing it in the House. The bill, which proclaims that the promotion of democracy, freedom, and fundamental rights is an essential element of U.S. foreign policy, seeks to strengthen the U.S. ability to promote democracy in a number of ways. It would establish a new office of Democracy Movements and Transitions at the U.S. Department of State and separate regional democracy hubs at several embassies abroad. The bill would also create a democracy promotion advisory board to provide outside expertise to the government, authorize $250 million in increased funding for democracy promotion over two years, require an annual report on democracy to include action plans to promote democracy in nondemocratic countries, and provide training and incentives for State Department personnel in the promotion of democracy.