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6/10/2008--Passed House amended. Merida Initiative to Combat Illicit Narcotics and Reduce Organized Crime Authorization Act of 2008 - Title I: Assistance for Mexico - Subtitle A: Law Enforcement and Security Assistance - (Sec. 112) Authorizes the President to provide assistance for Mexico for: (1) counternarcotics and countertrafficking; (2) port, airport, and related security to assist in controlling the Mexico-U.S. and Mexico-Central America borders; (3) intelligence gathering operational technology; and (4) public security and law enforcement, including assistance to the National Council Against Addiction (CONADIC). (Sec. 114) Prohibits assistance to any armed forces of Mexico or law enforcement unit of Mexico if the Secretary of State determines that there is credible evidence that such unit has committed gross human rights violations. Makes such prohibition inapplicable if the Secretary reports to the appropriate congressional committees that the government of Mexico is taking effective measures to bring the responsible unit members to justice. (Sec. 115) Authorizes FY2008-FY2010 appropriations to carry out this subtitle, with not more that specified amounts allocated to the armed forces for each of FY2008-2010. Prohibits FY2009 funds from being provided to the Mexican Secretariat of Public Security until the President determines that the Mexican National Registry of Police Personnel (Registro Nacional de Personal Policial) is operational at the federal, state, and local levels. Subtitle B: Assistance to Enhance the Rule of Law and Strengthen Civilian Institutions - (Sec. 122) Authorizes the President to provide assistance to Mexico for: (1) institution building and the rule of law, including support for the Mexican Office of the Attorney General and for enhancing police professionalization; (2) anti-corruption, transparency, and human rights; (3) activities to prevent narcotics-related violence; and (4) employment and rural development programs. (Sec. 124) Authorizes FY2008-FY2010 appropriations to carry out this subtitle. Title II: Assistance for Countries of Central America - Subtitle A: Law Enforcement and Security Assistance - (Sec. 212) Authorizes the President to provide assistance to the countries of Central America (Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic) for: (1) counternarcotics, countertrafficking, and related security to combat narcotics trafficking and bulk currency smuggling; and (2) public security and law enforcement to combat transnational gangs. (Sec. 214) Prohibits providing assistance to any armed forces or law enforcement unit of a Central American country if the Secretary determines that there is credible evidence that such unit has committed gross human rights violations. Makes such prohibition inapplicable if the Secretary reports to the appropriate congressional committees that the government of the relevant Central American country is taking effective measures to bring the responsible unit members to justice. Authorizes FY2008-FY2010 appropriations to carry out this subtitle, including a set-aside for youth gang prevention activities. Subtitle B: Assistance to Enhance the Rule of Law and Strengthen Civilian Institutions - (Sec. 221) Authorizes the President to provide assistance to the countries of Central America to build the capacity of justice systems and to reduce high impunity rates. Authorizes FY2008-FY2010 appropriations. Title III: Administrative Provisions - (Sec. 301) Prohibits the President from providing assistance under title I or title II of this Act for a fiscal year until the end of a 15-day period beginning on the date that the President transmits to the appropriate congressional committees a determination that specified requirements have been met. (Sec. 302) Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) activities undertaken under titles I and II should be performed by employees and officers of the recipient country; and (2) the United States should limit the number of U.S. contractors. Caps: (1) at 50 the number of U.S. citizens or foreign nationals that may be retained as contractors to carry out title I (Mexico); and (2) at 100 the number of U.S. citizens or foreign nationals that may be retained as contractors to carry out Title II (Central America). Prohibits funds under this Act from being made available for budget support or cash payments. Provides for a national interest waiver. (Sec. 303) Prohibits, as of October 1, 2009, transfer of surveillance-related equipment to a recipient country unless the President determines that such country has cooperated with the United States to ensure that such equipment will be used principally for the purposes for which it is provided. (Sec. 304) Authorizes the President, notwithstanding a specified prohibition, to provide assistance under title I or title II to the police forces of recipient countries. (Sec. 305) States that authority to provide assistance under titles I and II is in addition to any other authority to provide assistance for Mexico and the countries of Central America. (Sec. 306) States that the Arms Export Control Act applies to all transfers of equipment under this Act unless otherwise specified. Title IV: Support Activities in the United States - (Sec. 401) Directs the President to report to the appropriate congressional committees concerning measures taken to reduce U.S. drug demand. (Sec. 402) Directs the Attorney General to: (1) expand resources for the Project Gunrunner initiative of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) to identify, investigate, and prosecute firearms trafficking across the U.S.- Mexico border; and (2) provide ATF agents, equipment, and training to assist Mexican law enforcement officers in combating firearms trafficking and other criminal enterprises. Authorizes FY2008-FY2010 appropriations. (Sec. 404) Directs the President to report to the appropriate congressional committees regarding measures taken to stop the flow of illegal precursor chemicals and bulk cash into Mexico. Title V: Miscellaneous Provisions - (Sec. 501) Directs the President to establish within the Department of State a Coordinator of United States Government Activities to Implement the Merida Initiative (with the rank of ambassador). (Sec. 502) Directs the President to: (1) develop metrics to identify and manage the progress of activities under this Act; and (2) use such metrics for resource allocations to combat narcotics and organized crime activities. (Sec. 503) Directs the President to report to the appropriate congressional committees regarding programs and activities carried out under this Act during the preceding fiscal year. (Sec. 504) Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the U.S. government requires an effective public diplomacy strategy to explain the Merida Initiative's purposes; and (2) the Secretary shall design and implement a public diplomacy campaign regarding the Merida Initiative. (Sec. 505) Sunsets this Act after September 30, 2010.<br/>

1213156800 2008-06-11 Fri Nov 07 06:26:24 -0600 2008 introduced 50654 'act':12 '2008':14 'crime':10 'initi':2 'organ':9 'reduc':8 'author':11 'combat':4 'merida':1 'narcot':6 'illicit':5 59965 false short reported to house 50654 'act':12 '2008':14 'crime':10 'initi':2 'organ':9 'reduc':8 'author':11 'combat':4 'merida':1 'narcot':6 'illicit':5 60430 false short introduced 50654 'law':3,15 'rule':13 'secur':6 'assist':7,9 'author':2 'enforc':4 'enhanc':11 'mexico':21 'purpos':31 'america':27 'central':26 'countri':24 'civilian':18 'institut':19 'strengthen':17 59928 false official passed house 50654 'act':12 '2008':14 'crime':10 'initi':2 'organ':9 'reduc':8 'author':11 'combat':4 'merida':1 'narcot':6 'illicit':5 61658 false short action 50654 1213156800 Wed Jun 11 00:00:00 -0500 2008 160677 Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. B000410 1941-04-15 5136 2221 Rayburn House Office Building http://www.house.gov/berman/contact/ 28 202-225-3196 Howard 'd':4 'ca':5 '-28':6 'rep':1 'berman':3,8,10 'howard':2,7,9 M 400025 Berman Howard_L._Berman L. Rep. Howard Berman [D, CA-28] 2240 N00008094 9574 Democrat 202-225-4695 Jewish CA Howard Berman 2.6875 http://www.house.gov/berman/ C001063 1955-09-19 2619 336 Cannon House Office Building http://cuellar.house.gov/Contact/SendMeAnEmail.htm 28 202-225-1641 Henry 'd':4 'tx':5 '-28':6 'rep':1 'henri':2,7,9 'cuellar':3,8,10 M 400657 Cuellar Henry_Cuellar Rep. Henry Cuellar [D, TX-28] 979 N00024978 6253 Democrat 202-225-1640 Catholic TX Henry Cuellar http://www.house.gov/cuellar/index.shtml E000179 1947-02-18 2603 2161 Rayburn House Office Building http://www.house.gov/writerep 17 202-225-5513 Eliot 'd':4 'ny':5 '-17':6 'rep':1 'eliot':2,7,9 'engel':3,8,10 M 400122 Engel Eliot_L._Engel L. Rep. Eliot Engel [D, NY-17] 1011 N00001003 6367 Democrat 202-225-2464 Jewish NY Eliot Engel 3.11111111111111 http://engel.house.gov/ R000170 1944-11-10 2651 2433 Rayburn House Office Building http://wwwc.house.gov/reyes/voice_your_opinion.asp 16 202-225-2016 Silvestre 'd':4 'tx':5 '-16':6 'rep':1 'rey':3,8,10 'silvestr':2,7,9 M 400337 Reyes Silvestre_Reyes Rep. Silvestre Reyes [D, TX-16] 1347 N00006067 6617 Democrat 202-225-4831 Roman Catholic TX Silver Silvestre Reyes 1.54545454545455 http://wwwc.house.gov/reyes/ R000435 1952-07-15 4236 2160 Rayburn House Office Building http://www.house.gov/writerep 18 202-225-5620 Ileana 'r':6 'fl':7 '-18':8 'rep':1 'ros':4,11,15 'ileana':2,9,13 'lehtinen':5,12,16 'ros-lehtinen':3,10,14 F 400344 Ros-Lehtinen Ileana_Ros-Lehtinen Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen [R, FL-18] 2136 N00002858 7473 Republican 202-225-3931 Roman Catholic FL Ileana Ros-Lehtinen 2.70588235294118 http://www.house.gov/ros-lehtinen/ action 50654 1213156800 Wed Jun 11 00:00:00 -0500 2008 160677 Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. action 50654 1213154940 Tue Jun 10 12:29:00 -0500 2008 159703 At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed. vote 50654 1213115460 Tue Jun 10 13:31:00 -0500 2008 roll 159705 pass On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 311 - 106 (Roll no. 393). vote h action 50654 1213114920 Tue Jun 10 13:22:00 -0500 2008 159704 Considered as unfinished business. action 50654 1213108860 Tue Jun 10 11:41:00 -0500 2008 159702 DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6028. action 50654 1213108860 Tue Jun 10 11:41:00 -0500 2008 159700 Mr. Berman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. action 50654 1213108860 Tue Jun 10 11:41:00 -0500 2008 159701 Considered under suspension of the rules. calendar 50654 1212809820 Fri Jun 06 12:37:00 -0500 2008 159521 Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 445. action 50654 1212809820 Fri Jun 06 12:37:00 -0500 2008 159520 Committee on Judiciary discharged. action 50654 1211505120 Thu May 22 22:12:00 -0500 2008 158839 House Committee on Judiciary Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than June 6, 2008. action 50654 1211505060 Thu May 22 22:11:00 -0500 2008 158838 Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Foreign Affairs. H. Rept. 110-673, Part I. action 50654 1210737600 Wed May 14 00:00:00 -0500 2008 157203 Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held. calendar 50654 1210737600 Wed May 14 00:00:00 -0500 2008 157204 Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote. action 50654 1210651200 Tue May 13 00:00:00 -0500 2008 157023 Referred to House Foreign Affairs introduced 50654 1210651200 Tue May 13 00:00:00 -0500 2008 157021 action 50654 1210651200 Tue May 13 00:00:00 -0500 2008 157022 Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. action 50654 1210651200 Tue May 13 00:00:00 -0500 2008 157024 Referred to House Judiciary 16 311 50654 Tue Jun 10 12:31:00 -0500 2008 true 4746 106 393 45 0 On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended: H R 6028 Merida Initiative to Combat Illicit Narcotics and Reduce Organized Crime Authorization Act true 2/3 Passed On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended Tue Jun 10 12:52:01 -0500 2008 house