H.R. 8438 would authorize appropriations of whatever amounts are necessary in 2021 and 2022 for assistance to Belarus, primarily to promote democracy, civil society, and human rights. In 2020, the Congress provided almost $10 million for such assistance to Belarus. The bill expresses the sense of the Congress that the United States should increase its assistance to promote civil society in Belarus. On that basis, CBO estimates that implementing foreign assistance to Belarus under H.R. 8438 would require appropriations of $11 million each year in 2021 and 2022.
