; (B) restore the rule of law; and (C) stabilize the Tunisian economy. (2) Limitation Funds authorized to be appropriated pursuant to paragraph (1) shall not be available for obligation until the Secretary of State certifies in writing to the appropriate congressional committees that the Government of Tunisia has demonstrated measurable progress towards the democratic benchmarks outlined in subsection (d). (d) Democratic benchmarks Pursuant to subsection (c)(2), the democratic benchmarks to be addressed in the Secretary of State’s certification are whether the Government of Tunisia— (1) appropriately empowers Parliament to serve the Tunisian people and serve as an independent, co-equal branch of government essential to a healthy democracy; (2) restores judicial independence and establishes the Constitutional Court in a manner that fosters an independent judiciary and serves as a check on the presidency; (3) is taking credible steps to respect freedoms of expression, association, and the press; (4) creates an enabling operating environment in which Tunisian civil society organizations can operate without undue interference, including permitting international funding; and (5) ceases efforts to intimidate Tunisian independent media through arbitrary arrests and criminal prosecutions of journalists on illegitimate charges. (e) Initial Report, Annual Report and Briefing (1) Initial report Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act and annually thereafter through 2028, the Secretary of State shall provide a report and accompanying briefing to the appropriate congressional committees that describes— (A) the state of Tunisia’s democracy and associated progress on the democratic benchmarks outlined in subsection (d)