H.R.6028 - Merida Initiative to Combat Illicit Narcotics and Reduce Organized Crime Authorization Act of 2008

To authorize law enforcement and security assistance, and assistance to enhance the rule of law and strengthen civilian institutions, for Mexico and the countries of Central America, and for other purposes. view all titles (4)

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All Bill Titles

  • Short: Merida Initiative to Combat Illicit Narcotics and Reduce Organized Crime Authorization Act of 2008 as introduced.
  • Short: Merida Initiative to Combat Illicit Narcotics and Reduce Organized Crime Authorization Act of 2008 as reported to house.
  • Official: To authorize law enforcement and security assistance, and assistance to enhance the rule of law and strengthen civilian institutions, for Mexico and the countries of Central America, and for other purposes. as introduced.
  • Short: Merida Initiative to Combat Illicit Narcotics and Reduce Organized Crime Authorization Act of 2008 as passed house.

Bill's Views

  • Today: 4
  • Past Seven Days: 19
  • All-Time: 5,379
 
Introduced
 
House
Passed
 
Senate
Passes
 
President
Signs
 

 
05/12/08
 
06/10/08
 
 
 
 
 

Official Bill Text Comment on about 51 Pages
 

Latest Vote

Result: Passed - June 10, 2008

Roll call number 393 in the House

Question: 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

Required percentage of 'Aye' votes: 2/3 (66%)
Percentage of 'aye' votes: 71%
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Democrats Voting 'Aye'

Neil Abercrombie
Rep. Gary Ackerman [D, NY-5]
Thomas Allen
Rep. Jason Altmire [D, PA-4]
Rep. Robert Andrews [D, NJ-1]
Michael Arcuri
Rep. Joe Baca [D, CA-43]
Brian Baird
Rep. John Barrow [D, GA-12]
Melissa Bean
Rep. Xavier Becerra [D, CA-31]
Rep. Shelley Berkley [D, NV-1]
Rep. Howard Berman [D, CA-28]
Robert Berry
Rep. Sanford Bishop [D, GA-2]
Rep. Timothy Bishop [D, NY-1]
Rep. Earl Blumenauer [D, OR-3]
Rep. Dan Boren [D, OK-2]
Rep. Leonard Boswell [D, IA-3]
Frederick Boucher
Allen Boyd
Nancy Boyda
Rep. Robert Brady [D, PA-1]
Rep. Bruce Braley [D, IA-1]
Rep. Corrine Brown [D, FL-3]
Rep. George Butterfield [D, NC-1]
Rep. Lois Capps [D, CA-23]
Rep. Michael Capuano [D, MA-8]
Rep. Dennis Cardoza [D, CA-18]
Rep. Russ Carnahan [D, MO-3]
Rep. Kathy Castor [D, FL-11]
Donald Cazayoux
Rep. Ben Chandler [D, KY-6]
Travis Childers
Rep. William Clay [D, MO-1]
Rep. Emanuel Cleaver [D, MO-5]
Rep. James Clyburn [D, SC-6]
Rep. Steve Cohen [D, TN-9]
Rep. Jim Cooper [D, TN-5]
Rep. Jim Costa [D, CA-20]
Rep. Joe Courtney [D, CT-2]
Robert Cramer
Rep. Joseph Crowley [D, NY-7]
Rep. Henry Cuellar [D, TX-28]
Artur Davis
Lincoln Davis
Rep. Danny Davis [D, IL-7]
Rep. Susan Davis [D, CA-53]
Rep. Peter DeFazio [D, OR-4]
Rep. Diana DeGette [D, CO-1]
William Delahunt
Rep. Rosa DeLauro [D, CT-3]
Rep. Norman Dicks [D, WA-6]
Rep. Lloyd Doggett [D, TX-25]
Rep. Joe Donnelly [D, IN-2]
Rep. Michael Doyle [D, PA-14]
Thomas Edwards
Rahm Emanuel
Rep. Eliot Engel [D, NY-17]
Rep. Anna Eshoo [D, CA-14]
Bob Etheridge
Rep. Sam Farr [D, CA-17]
Rep. Chaka Fattah [D, PA-2]
Bill Foster
Rep. Barney Frank [D, MA-4]
Rep. Gabrielle Giffords [D, AZ-8]
Rep. Charles Gonzalez [D, TX-20]
Barton Gordon
Rep. Al Green [D, TX-9]
Rep. Raymond Green [D, TX-29]
Rep. Raul Grijalva [D, AZ-7]
Rep. Luis Gutiérrez [D, IL-4]
John Hall
Phil Hare
Rep. Jane Harman [D, CA-36]
Rep. Alcee Hastings [D, FL-23]
Stephanie Herseth Sandlin
Rep. Brian Higgins [D, NY-27]
Baron Hill
Rep. Maurice Hinchey [D, NY-22]
Rep. Rubén Hinojosa [D, TX-15]
Rep. Mazie Hirono [D, HI-2]
Paul Hodes
Rep. Tim Holden [D, PA-17]
Rep. Michael Honda [D, CA-15]
Darlene Hooley
Rep. Steny Hoyer [D, MD-5]
Rep. Jay Inslee [D, WA-1]
Rep. Steve Israel [D, NY-2]
Rep. Jesse Jackson [D, IL-2]
Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee [D, TX-18]
William Jefferson
Rep. Eddie Johnson [D, TX-30]
Rep. Henry Johnson [D, GA-4]
Steve Kagen
Paul Kanjorski
Rep. Marcy Kaptur [D, OH-9]
Patrick Kennedy
Rep. Dale Kildee [D, MI-5]
Carolyn Kilpatrick
Rep. Ronald Kind [D, WI-3]
Ron Klein
Nicholas Lampson
Rep. James Langevin [D, RI-2]
Rep. Rick Larsen [D, WA-2]
Rep. John Larson [D, CT-1]
Rep. Sander Levin [D, MI-12]
Rep. Daniel Lipinski [D, IL-3]
Rep. David Loebsack [D, IA-2]
Rep. Zoe Lofgren [D, CA-16]
Rep. Nita Lowey [D, NY-18]
Rep. Stephen Lynch [D, MA-9]
Tim Mahoney
Rep. Carolyn Maloney [D, NY-14]
Rep. Edward Markey [D, MA-7]
James Marshall
Rep. Jim Matheson [D, UT-2]
Rep. Doris Matsui [D, CA-5]
Rep. Carolyn McCarthy [D, NY-4]
Rep. Betty McCollum [D, MN-4]
Rep. Jerry McNerney [D, CA-11]
Michael McNulty
Rep. Gregory Meeks [D, NY-6]
Charles Melancon
Rep. Michael Michaud [D, ME-2]
Rep. George Miller [D, CA-7]
Rep. Bradley Miller [D, NC-13]
Harry Mitchell
Alan Mollohan
Dennis Moore
Rep. James Moran [D, VA-8]
Patrick Murphy
Rep. Christopher Murphy [D, CT-5]
John Murtha
Rep. Jerrold Nadler [D, NY-8]
Rep. Grace Napolitano [D, CA-38]
Rep. Richard Neal [D, MA-2]
James Oberstar
David Obey
Rep. John Olver [D, MA-1]
Rep. Frank Pallone [D, NJ-6]
Rep. William Pascrell [D, NJ-8]
Rep. Edward Pastor [D, AZ-4]
Rep. Ed Perlmutter [D, CO-7]
Rep. Collin Peterson [D, MN-7]
Earl Pomeroy
Rep. David Price [D, NC-4]
Rep. Nick Rahall [D, WV-3]
Rep. Charles Rangel [D, NY-15]
Rep. Silvestre Reyes [D, TX-16]
Rep. Laura Richardson [D, CA-37]
Ciro Rodriguez
Rep. Mike Ross [D, AR-4]
Rep. Steven Rothman [D, NJ-9]
Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard [D, CA-34]
Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger [D, MD-2]
Rep. Timothy Ryan [D, OH-17]
John Salazar
Rep. Loretta Sanchez [D, CA-47]
Rep. Linda Sánchez [D, CA-39]
Rep. John Sarbanes [D, MD-3]
Rep. Adam Schiff [D, CA-29]
Rep. Allyson Schwartz [D, PA-13]
Rep. Robert Scott [D, VA-3]
Rep. David Scott [D, GA-13]
Joe Sestak
Carol Shea-Porter
Rep. Brad Sherman [D, CA-27]
Rep. Heath Shuler [D, NC-11]
Rep. Albio Sires [D, NJ-13]
Ike Skelton
Rep. Louise Slaughter [D, NY-28]
Rep. Adam Smith [D, WA-9]
Victor Snyder
Hilda Solis
Zachary Space
John Spratt
Bart Stupak
Rep. Betty Sutton [D, OH-13]
John Tanner
Ellen Tauscher
Gene Taylor
Rep. Michael Thompson [D, CA-1]
Rep. Bennie Thompson [D, MS-2]
Rep. John Tierney [D, MA-6]
Rep. Edolphus Towns [D, NY-10]
Rep. Niki Tsongas [D, MA-5]
Sen. Mark Udall [D, CO]
Sen. Tom Udall [D, NM]
Rep. Christopher Van Hollen [D, MD-8]
Rep. Nydia Velázquez [D, NY-12]
Rep. Peter Visclosky [D, IN-1]
Rep. Timothy Walz [D, MN-1]
Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz [D, FL-20]
Rep. Maxine Waters [D, CA-35]
Diane Watson
Rep. Melvin Watt [D, NC-12]
Rep. Henry Waxman [D, CA-30]
Rep. Anthony Weiner [D, NY-9]
Robert Wexler
Charles Wilson
Rep. David Wu [D, OR-1]
Rep. John Yarmuth [D, KY-3]
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Republicans Voting 'Aye'

Rep. Rodney Alexander [R, LA-5]
Rep. Spencer Bachus [R, AL-6]
Rep. Roscoe Bartlett [R, MD-6]
Rep. Joe Barton [R, TX-6]
Rep. Judy Biggert [R, IL-13]
Rep. Brian Bilbray [R, CA-50]
Sen. Roy Blunt [R, MO]
Rep. John Boehner [R, OH-8]
Rep. Mary Bono Mack [R, CA-45]
Sen. John Boozman [R, AR]
Rep. Charles Boustany [R, LA-7]
Henry Brown
Rep. Vern Buchanan [R, FL-13]
Rep. Ken Calvert [R, CA-44]
Rep. David Camp [R, MI-4]
Christopher Cannon
Rep. Shelley Capito [R, WV-2]
Michael Castle
Rep. Michael Conaway [R, TX-11]
Rep. Ander Crenshaw [R, FL-4]
Thomas Davis
Rep. Geoff Davis [R, KY-4]
Rep. Charles Dent [R, PA-15]
Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart [R, FL-21]
Lincoln Diaz-Balart
John Doolittle
Thelma Drake
Rep. David Dreier [R, CA-26]
Vernon Ehlers
Rep. Jo Ann Emerson [R, MO-8]
Philip English
Mary Fallin
Rep. Jeffrey Fortenberry [R, NE-1]
Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen [R, NJ-11]
Rep. Elton Gallegly [R, CA-24]
Rep. Scott Garrett [R, NJ-5]
Rep. Jim Gerlach [R, PA-6]
Wayne Gilchrest
Rep. Doc Hastings [R, WA-4]
Robin Hayes
Rep. Walter Herger [R, CA-2]
David Hobson
Bob Inglis
Rep. Darrell Issa [R, CA-49]
Rep. Timothy Johnson [R, IL-15]
Ric Keller
Rep. Peter King [R, NY-3]
Sen. Mark Kirk [R, IL]
Joseph Knollenberg
John Kuhl
Ray LaHood
Rep. Thomas Latham [R, IA-4]
Rep. Steven LaTourette [R, OH-14]
Ron Lewis
Rep. Jerry Lewis [R, CA-41]
Rep. Frank LoBiondo [R, NJ-2]
Rep. Frank Lucas [R, OK-3]
Rep. Daniel Lungren [R, CA-3]
Rep. Connie Mack [R, FL-14]
Rep. Kevin McCarthy [R, CA-22]
John McHugh
Rep. Howard McKeon [R, CA-25]
Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers [R, WA-5]
Rep. Candice Miller [R, MI-10]
Sen. Jerry Moran [R, KS]
Rep. Tim Murphy [R, PA-18]
Rep. Sue Myrick [R, NC-9]
Rep. Devin Nunes [R, CA-21]
Rep. Steven Pearce [R, NM-2]
Rep. Mike Pence [R, IN-6]
John Peterson
Charles Pickering
Rep. Joseph Pitts [R, PA-16]
Jon Porter
Deborah Pryce
George Radanovich
James Ramstad
Ralph Regula
Rep. Dennis Rehberg [R, MT-0]
Rep. Dave Reichert [R, WA-8]
Rick Renzi
Thomas Reynolds
Rep. Michael Rogers [R, MI-8]
Rep. Harold Rogers [R, KY-5]
Rep. Peter Roskam [R, IL-6]
Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen [R, FL-18]
James Saxton
Rep. Steve Scalise [R, LA-1]
Rep. Jean Schmidt [R, OH-2]
Rep. Peter Sessions [R, TX-32]
John Shadegg
Christopher Shays
Rep. John Shimkus [R, IL-19]
Rep. Michael Simpson [R, ID-2]
Rep. Adrian Smith [R, NE-3]
Rep. Christopher Smith [R, NJ-4]
Mark Souder
Rep. Lee Terry [R, NE-2]
Todd Tiahrt
Rep. Patrick Tiberi [R, OH-12]
Rep. Michael Turner [R, OH-3]
Rep. Frederick Upton [R, MI-6]
Rep. Greg Walden [R, OR-2]
James Walsh
Gerald Weller
Heather Wilson
Rep. Frank Wolf [R, VA-10]
Rep. Bill Young [R, FL-10]
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Others Voting 'Aye'

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Others Voting 'Abstain'

 

Official Summary

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
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Official Summary

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.


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Recent News Coverage

View All (5)  |  View Top Rated

06/10/08
Poe votes against drug-fighting plan

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Ted Poe (TX-02) voted against HR 6028, the Merida Initiative to Combat Illicit Narcotics and Reduce Organized Crime ...

Source: Deer Park Progress, TX
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05/18/08
Congressman Poe Works to Secure Funding for Texas Border

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Ted Poe (TX-02) offered an amendment today to HR 6028, the Merida Initiative to Combat Illicit Narcotics and Reduce Organized ...

Source: The Tribune, TX
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05/15/08
Congressman Poe Works to Secure Funding for Texas Border

Congressman Ted Poe (TX-02) offered an amendment to HR 6028, the Merida Initiative to Combat Illicit Narcotics and Reduce Organized Crime Authorization Act ...

Source: Kingwood Now, TX
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Recent Blog Coverage

View All (43)  |  View Top Rated

06/04/10
Appearance of the Mérida Initiative on the Decision Agenda ...

[6] http://www.opencongress.org/bill/110-h6028/show. [7] http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=18877. [8] http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/23/AR2010032304196.html ...

Source: ccbaker
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01/01/09
California Chronicle | ILLEGAL DRUG-RELATED VIOLENCE THREATENS SO ...

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (CA-45) today voted in favor of the Merida Initiative to Combat Illicit Narcotics and Reduce Organized Crime Authorization Act (H.R. 6028), a U.S. counter-narcotics assistance package for ...

Source: California Chronicle
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11/06/08
Mexico, Drug Cartels, and the Merida Initiative: A Fight We Cannot ...

[9] Merida Initiative to Combat Illicit Narcotics and Reduce Organized Crime Authorization Act of 2008, H.R. 6028, May 22, 2008, § 402(a)(4). [10] Anthony P. Placido, "The U.S. Government's Domestic Obligations Under the Merida ...

Source: The Heritage Foundation Papers: Energy...
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