The House Democracy Partnership

A bipartisan commission of the U.S. House of Representatives, the House Democracy Partnership (HDP) advances U.S. economic and security interests by fostering stable, effective governance in key regions worldwide. By promoting accountability, transparency, and legislative capacity, HDP creates environments that support economic growth, strengthen regional security, and reinforce partnerships that benefit the United States.

Directed by U.S. Members of Congress, HDP facilitates peer-to-peer Member exchanges and technical assistance directly with international counterparts, reinforcing U.S. leadership while deepening cooperation with strategically important nations. HDP currently collaborates with approximately 15 legislatures worldwide, ensuring that American Members of Congress play a direct role in shaping effective governance, promoting economic stability, and countering authoritarian influence.

History

Image

Inspired by the Frost-Solomon Task Force (1990-1996), which advanced American interests in European democracies after the Cold War, Representatives David Dreier (R-CA) and David Price (D-NC) revived and expanded this mission in 2005. On March 14, 2005, the House of Representatives established the House Democracy Assistance Commission (House Resolution 135). Recognizing the need for long-term partnerships, the commission was renamed the House Democracy Partnership (HDP) in 2009, underscoring an enduring commitment by U.S. Members of Congress to strengthening relationships with legislative institutions worldwide.

Mission

Our Approach 

Image	Budgetary Oversight & Fiscal Responsibility U.S. House Members, staff, and Congressional Budget Office experts work with their counterparts to enhance their capacity for fiscal oversight and budgetary decision-making—ensuring financial transparency, reducing corruption, and fostering stable economic environments that benefit American trade and investment.
Image	Effective Legislative Committees House Members and staff provide expertise to legislative committee chairs, members, and clerks on best practices for oversight, public hearings, and legislative scrutiny—reinforcing accountability and legislative efficiency.
Image	Constituent Engagement & Public Trust Strong constituent services help ensure government responsiveness. U.S. House Members share strategies with partner legislatures on communicating with the public, responding to inquiries, and managing casework—fostering trust in governance, a key pillar of long-term stability.
Image	Ethical Governance & Rule of Law HDP shares best practices from the U.S. House Ethics Committee. Efforts focus on the development and enforcement of legislative codes of ethics, reinforcing accountability and public confidence in government institutions.
Image	Legislative Information & Technology In an era of digital transformation, access to reliable legislative information is critical. U.S. congressional IT experts work with legislative staff to develop digital platforms that improve transparency, facilitate legislative tracking, and enhance public access to government proceedings.
Image	Legislative Drafting & Procedure Experts from the House Rules Committee, legislative counsel, the House Parliamentarian’s office, and the Congressional Research Service provide guidance on legislative drafting and parliamentary procedures—ensuring efficiency and effectiveness in lawmaking.
Image	Research & Policy Support The Congressional Research Service and the Library of Congress collaborate with partner legislatures to develop research services and legislative libraries—empowering policymakers with high-quality, evidence-based information to inform decision-making.