Version	Word Count	Changes From Previous Version	Percent Change
Introduced in House	8,616	n/a	n/a
Reported in House	8,939	53	8%
Engrossed in House	8,828	80	7%
Referred in Senate	8,767	5 Show Changes Hide Changes	1%

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HR 6028 EHRFSCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

110th CONGRESSCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

2d SessionCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

H. R. 6028CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

AN ACTCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE AND TABLE OF CONTENTS.

(a) Short Title- This Act may be cited as the ‘Merida Initiative to Combat Illicit Narcotics and Reduce Organized Crime Authorization Act of 2008’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Table of Contents- The table of contents for this Act is as follows:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 1. Short title and table of contents.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 2. Definitions.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE I--ASSISTANCE FOR MEXICO

Sec. 101. Findings.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 102. Declarations of policy.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Subtitle A--Law Enforcement and Security Assistance

Sec. 111. Purposes of assistance.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 112. Authorization of assistance.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 113. Activities supported.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 114. Limitation on assistance.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 115. Authorization of appropriations.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Subtitle B--Assistance to Enhance the Rule of Law and Strengthen Civilian Institutions

Sec. 121. Sense of Congress.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 122. Authorization of assistance.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 123. Activities supported.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 124. Authorization of appropriations.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE II--ASSISTANCE FOR COUNTRIES OF CENTRAL AMERICA

Sec. 201. Findings.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 202. Declarations of policy.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Subtitle A--Law Enforcement and Security Assistance

Sec. 211. Purposes of assistance.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 212. Authorization of assistance.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 213. Activities supported.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 214. Limitation on assistance.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 215. Authorization of appropriations.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Subtitle B--Assistance to Enhance the Rule of Law and Strengthen Civilian Institutions

Sec. 221. Authorization of assistance.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 222. Activities supported.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 223. Authorization of appropriations.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE III--ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

Sec. 301. Conditions on provision of assistance.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 302. Limitations on provision of assistance.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 303. Limitation on monitoring.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 304. Exemption from prohibition on assistance for law enforcement forces.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 305. Relationship to other authority.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 306. Rule of construction.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE IV--SUPPORT ACTIVITIES IN THE UNITED STATES

Sec. 401. Report on reduction of drug demand in the United States.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 402. Reduction of southbound flow of illegal weapons.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 403. Reduction of southbound flow of illegal precursor chemicals and bulk-cash transfers.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 404. Report.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE V--MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Sec. 501. Coordinator of United States Government Activities to Implement the Merida Initiative.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 502. Metrics and oversight mechanisms.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 503. Report.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 504. Sense of Congress.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 505. Sunset.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

In this Act:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) APPROPRIATE CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEES- The term ‘appropriate congressional committees’--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) means--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) for purposes of titles IV and V, includes the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives and the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) COUNTRIES OF CENTRAL AMERICA- The term ‘countries of Central America’ means Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama and includes Haiti and the Dominican Republic.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) MERIDA INITIATIVE- The term ‘Merida Initiative’ means the program announced by the United States and Mexico on October 22, 2007, to fight illicit narcotics trafficking and criminal organizations throughout the Western Hemisphere.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE I--ASSISTANCE FOR MEXICOCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 101. FINDINGS.

Congress finds the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) The drug crisis facing the United States remains a significant national security threat.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) The Government Accountability Office (GAO) estimates that 90 percent of illegal drugs that enter the United States come through the Mexico-Central America corridor.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) The same smuggling routes that are used to bring illegal narcotics north are utilized to illegally distribute arms, precursor chemicals, and bulk cash transfers south.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) Drug gangs that operate in the United States, Mexico, and Central America have become sophisticated and vertically-integrated operations expert at penetrating the United States-Mexico border.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) Narcotics-related activity and expanding cross-border trafficking is dangerously undermining the security environment for our neighbors to the South, as well as in the United States.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) Mexico can and has served as a critical ally and partner in stemming the flow of illegal narcotics into the United States. Under the leadership of Mexican President Felipe Calderon, the United States and Mexico have initiated an approach of joint responsibility to confront the threat of illicit narcotics trafficking and organized crime in the Western Hemisphere.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(7) The spread of illicit narcotics through United States borders and the violence that accompanies it cannot be halted without a comprehensive interdiction and security strategy planned and executed jointly with our southern neighbors.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(8) In March 2007, President George W. Bush and Mexican President Calderon held a summit in the Mexican City of Merida and agreed that the United States and Mexico must expand bilateral and regional cooperation to fight violence stemming from narcotrafficking and regional criminal organizations.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(9) On October 22, 2007, the United States and Mexico issued a joint statement announcing the Merida Initiative, a program to fight illicit narcotics trafficking and criminal organizations throughout the Western Hemisphere.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(10) In the joint statement--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) Mexico pledged to ‘strengthen its operational capabilities to more effectively fight drug-traffickers and organized crime’;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) the United States pledged ‘to intensify its efforts to address all aspects of drug trafficking (including demand-related portions) and continue to combat trafficking of weapons and bulk currency to Mexico’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) both nations pledged to ‘augment cooperation, coordination, and the exchange of information to fight criminal organizations on both sides of the border’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(11) A long-term strategy to adequately contain the northbound and southbound flows of illicit narcotics along the United States-Mexico border, as well as protect the vast and free flow of trade, will require the United States to partner with its southern neighbors in their efforts to build the capacity of their own law enforcement agencies and enhance the rule of law, as well as to fortify United States illicit narcotics reduction efforts.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 102. DECLARATIONS OF POLICY.

Congress makes the following declarations:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) The Merida Initiative is a critical part of a growing partnership and strategy of cooperation between the United States and its southern neighbors to confront the illegal flow of narcotics as well as violence and organized crime that it has spawned.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) The United States needs to ensure the free flow of trade between the United States and its critical neighbor, Mexico, while ensuring that the United States border is protected from illegal smuggling into the United States.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) The United States must intensify efforts to stem the flow of precursor chemicals, bulk cash, and the so-called ‘iron-river’ of arms illegally flowing south, as well as demand-related aspects of the illicit narcotics phenomenon.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) The United States should provide its expertise to meet immediate security needs along the United States-Mexico border, fight the production and flow of illicit narcotics, and support Mexico in its efforts to do the same.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) The United States should support the Government of Mexico’s work to expand its own law enforcement to independently conduct successful counternarcotics and organized crime-related operations.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) The Merida Initiative reflects the belief that Mexican military involvement is required in the short-term to stabilize the security situation, but that most aspects of this problem fall into the realm of law enforcement.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(7) In implementing the Merida Initiative, the United States should work with its southern neighbors to mitigate the so-called ‘balloon effect’ in which successful counternarcotics efforts shift narcotics-related activities to other areas.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(8) The United States should coordinate with the Congress of the Union of Mexico to ensure full partnership on the programs authorized under this Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Subtitle A--Law Enforcement and Security AssistanceCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 111. PURPOSES OF ASSISTANCE.

The purposes of assistance under this subtitle are to--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) enhance the ability of the Government of Mexico, in cooperation with the United States, to control illicit narcotics production, trafficking, drug trafficking organizations, and organized crime;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) help build the capacity of law enforcement forces of Mexico to control illicit narcotics production, trafficking, drug trafficking organizations, and organized crime;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) aid the support role that the armed forces of Mexico is providing to law enforcement agencies of Mexico as the security situation in Mexico is initially stabilized;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) protect and secure the United States-Mexico border, and control illegal activity going south as well as north;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) strengthen the bilateral and regional ties of the United States with Mexico and the countries of Central America by assuming shared responsibility and offering concrete assistance in this area of great mutual concern;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) strengthen respect for internationally recognized human rights and the rule of law in efforts to stabilize the security environment relating to illicit narcotics production and trafficking and organized crime; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(7) support the judicial branches of the Government of Mexico and the countries of Central America, as well as support anti-corruption efforts in those countries; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(8) respond to the direct requests of the Government of Mexico that the United States reduce the demand for illicit narcotics in the United States, stem the flow of illegal arms into Mexico from the United States, stem the flow of illegal bulk-cash transfers into Mexico from the United States, and stem the flow of illegal precursor chemicals into Mexico from the United States.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 112. AUTHORIZATION OF ASSISTANCE.

To carry out the purposes of section 111, the President is authorized to provide assistance for Mexico to support the activities described in section 113.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 113. ACTIVITIES SUPPORTED.

(a) In General- Activities that may be supported by assistance under section 112 include the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) COUNTERNARCOTICS AND COUNTERTRAFFICKING- To assist in building the capacity of law enforcement and security forces of Mexico to eradicate illicit narcotics trafficking and reduce trafficking-fueled violence, including along the United States-Mexico border, including assistance such as--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) radar and aerial surveillance equipment;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) land and maritime interdiction equipment and training, including--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) transport helicopters and night-operating capabilities;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) surveillance platform planes; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) maintenance and training relating to maintenance of aircraft; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) training of security and law enforcement units to plan and execute counternarcotics operations.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) PORT, AIRPORT, AND RELATED SECURITY- To assist in monitoring and controlling the United States-Mexico border and the border between Mexico and Central America to combat illicit narcotics trafficking, including assistance such as--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) computer infrastructure and equipment;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) secure communications networks; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) nonintrusive monitoring technology.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) OPERATIONAL TECHNOLOGY-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) ASSISTANCE OBJECTIVES- To assist in investigation and collection of intelligence against illicit drug trafficking organizations, including--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) expansion of intelligence databases; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) hardware, operating systems, and training for updating the communications networks of security agencies.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) SENSE OF CONGRESS- It is the sense of Congress that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) operational technology transferred to the Government of Mexico for intelligence or law enforcement purposes should be used solely for the purposes for which the operational technology was intended; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) the United States should take all necessary steps to ensure that use of operational technology described in clause (i) is consistent with United States law, including protections of freedom of expression, freedom of movement, and freedom of association.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) PUBLIC SECURITY AND LAW ENFORCEMENT- To assist in the modernization of law enforcement entities and prevent crime, including assistance and activities such as--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) law enforcement training and equipment, including--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) transport helicopters;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) surveillance aircraft, including Cessna Caravan light utility aircraft;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) nonintrusive inspection equipment; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iv) human rights training for law enforcement units;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) enhancement of the Government of Mexico’s financial intelligence unit;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) safety-related equipment for law enforcement officers and prosecutors, including protective vests and helmet sets;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) reduction of drug demand in Mexico, including activities such as--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) assistance to the National Council Against Addictions (CONADIC) to establish an Internet web-based support network;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) establishment of a national data center to support the CONADIC; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) training of CONADIC and other agency staff in best practices and outreach and treatment programs, and design of a methodology to implement best practices in conjunction with the National Network for Technological Transfers in Addiction.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Provision of Helicopters- Funds made available to carry out this subtitle to provide helicopters to the Government of Mexico, shall, to the extent possible, be used to procure or provide helicopters that are of a similar manufacture to those helicopters already in the possession of the Government of Mexico in order to facilitate integration of those assets into Mexico’s existing air fleet.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Sense of Congress- It is the sense of Congress that the United States shall ensure, to the extent possible, that assistance under this subtitle is made available and cross-utilized by the armed forces of Mexico and relevant law enforcement agencies of the Government of Mexico, including the Mexican Office of the Attorney General.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 114. LIMITATION ON ASSISTANCE.

(a) Limitation- No assistance may be provided under this subtitle to any unit of the armed forces of Mexico or any unit of the law enforcement agencies of Mexico if the Secretary of State determines that, consistent with section 620J of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2378d), there is credible evidence that such unit has committed gross violations of human rights.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Exception- The limitation in subsection (a) shall not apply if the Secretary of State determines and reports to the appropriate congressional committees that the Government of Mexico is taking effective measures to bring the responsible members of the unit of the armed forces or law enforcement agencies, as the case may be, to justice.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 115. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

(a) In General- To carry out this subtitle, there are authorized to be appropriated to the President $350,000,000 for fiscal year 2008, $390,000,000 for fiscal year 2009, and $40,000,000 for fiscal year 2010.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Limitation-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- Of the amounts appropriated pursuant to the authorization of appropriations under subsection (a)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) not more than $205,000,000 may be provided as assistance for the armed forces of Mexico for 2008;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) not more than $120,000,000 may be provided as assistance for the armed forces of Mexico for 2009; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) not more than $9,000,000 may be provided as assistance for the armed forces of Mexico for 2010.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) ADDITIONAL LIMITATION- None of the funds appropriated pursuant to the authorization of appropriations under subsection (a) for fiscal year 2009 may be provided as assistance for 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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Availability- Amounts appropriated pursuant to the authorization of appropriations under subsection (a) are--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) authorized to remain available until expended; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) in addition to funds otherwise available for such purposes, including funds available under chapter 8 of part I of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2291 et seq.).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Subtitle B--Assistance to Enhance the Rule of Law and Strengthen Civilian InstitutionsCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 121. SENSE OF CONGRESS.

It is the sense of Congress that, as a critical part of a joint, comprehensive security, counternarcotics, and organized crime initiative, the United States should support--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) programs of the United States Agency for International Development and other United States agencies focused on strengthening civilian institutions and rule of law programs in Mexico at the federal, state, and local levels; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) anti-corruption, transparency, and human rights programs to ensure due process and expand a culture of lawfulness in Mexico.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 122. AUTHORIZATION OF ASSISTANCE.

The President is authorized to provide assistance for Mexico to support the activities described in section 123.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 123. ACTIVITIES SUPPORTED.

Activities that may be supported by assistance under section 122 include the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) INSTITUTION BUILDING AND RULE OF LAW- To assist Mexico’s efforts to expand the rule of law and build the capacity, transparency, and trust in government institutions, including assistance such as--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) rule of law and systemic improvements in judicial and criminal justice sector institutions, including--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) courts management and prosecutorial capacity building;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) prison reform activities, including those relating to anti-gang and anti-organized crime efforts;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) anti-money laundering programs;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iv) victim and witness protection and restitution; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(v) promotion of transparent oral trials via training for the judicial sector;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) police professionalization, including--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) training regarding use of force;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) human rights education and training;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) training regarding evidence preservation and chain of custody; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iv) enhanced capacity to vet candidates;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) support for the Mexican Office of the Attorney General, including--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) judicial processes improvement and coordination;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) enhancement of forensics capabilities;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) data collection and analyses;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iv) case tracking and management;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(v) financial intelligence functions; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(vi) maintenance of data systems.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) ANTI-CORRUPTION, TRANSPARENCY, AND HUMAN RIGHTS- To assist law enforcement and court institutions in Mexico to develop mechanisms to ensure due process and proper oversight and to respond to citizen complaints, including assistance such as--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) enhancement of polygraph capability in the Mexican Police agency (SSP);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) support for greater transparency and accountability in the Mexican legal system, including--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) establishment of a center in the Mexican Office of the Attorney General for receipt of citizen complaints;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) establishment of clerk of the court system to track cases and pretrial detentions;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) reorganization of human and financial resources systems; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iv) equipping and training of criminal investigators; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) promotion of human rights, including--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) support for human rights organizations, bar associations, and law schools; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) training for police, prosecutors, and corrections officers.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) PREVENTION- To assist in the prevention of individuals from participating in illicit narcotics-related violent activities, such as--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) establishment of programs that address domestic violence and increase school attendance rates; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) expansion of intervention programs, including after-school programs and programs for at-risk and criminal involved youth.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) DEVELOPMENT- To assist in the development of areas where lack of jobs breeds illicit narcotics-related violence, including--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) expansion of alternative livelihood programs, including job creation programs and rural development programs and the provision of microenterprise development assistance under title VI of chapter 2 of part I of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2211 et seq.); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) establishment of gang reeducation and training programs.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 124. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

(a) In General- To carry out this subtitle, there are authorized to be appropriated to the President $120,000,000 for fiscal year 2008, $100,000,000 for fiscal year 2009, and $110,000,000 for fiscal year 2010.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Availability- Amounts appropriated pursuant to the authorization of appropriations under subsection (a) are--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) authorized to remain available until expended; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) in addition to funds otherwise available for such purposes, including funds available under chapter 8 of part I of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE II--ASSISTANCE FOR COUNTRIES OF CENTRAL AMERICACommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 201. FINDINGS.

Congress finds the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) A May 2007 report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) argues that countries of Central America are particularly vulnerable to violent crimes fueled by illicit narcotics trafficking and corruption because such countries are geographically located between the world’s largest drug producing and drug consuming countries.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) According to Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Thomas Shannon, ‘[T]he nations of Central America have committed to collective action to address these common security concerns. Through the Central American Integration System (SICA), the governments have expressed the political resolve to join forces to strengthen regional security; however they lack sufficient tools and capacity to execute such will.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) Crime and violence in Central America has increased in recent years.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) In 2005, the estimated murder rate per 100,000 people was roughly 56 in El Salvador, 41 in Honduras, and 38 in Guatemala.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) Youth gang violence has been one of the major factors contributing to increased violence in Central America, with the United States Southern Command estimating that there are 70,000 gang members in Central America.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) Many Central American youth gangs are transnational and negatively impact both Central America and the United States.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(7) Youth gang violence cannot be curbed only through enforcement, but must also include a substantial investment in prevention, rehabilitation, and reintegration.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(8) Deportees sent from the United States back to Central America, while not a central cause of crime and violence, can contribute to crime and violence in Central America.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(9) Guatemala has experienced a surge in murders of women in recent years, many of which have been committed by illicit narcotics traffickers and other organized criminals.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(10) Violence between partners, particularly violence by men against their wives or girlfriends, is widespread in Central America, and an international violence against women survey comparing selected countries in Africa, Latin America, Europe, and Asia found that 60 percent of women in Costa Rica--often considered the least violent country in Central America--reported having experienced domestic violence during their lives.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(11) Weak justice systems in the countries of Central America have led to a high level of impunity in Central America.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(12) The United Nations International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG) was recently created to begin to address impunity related to illegally armed groups in Guatemala.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(13) The United States and the Central American Integration System (SICA) signed an agreement in July 2007 to improve intelligence sharing and policing and to institutionalize dialogue on regional security.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 202. DECLARATIONS OF POLICY.

Congress makes the following declarations:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) A long-term United States strategy to curb illicit narcotics trafficking must include Central America, which is the corridor for 90 percent of the cocaine that transits from South America to the United States.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) It is in the interest of the United States to support a long-term commitment to assisting the countries of Central America to improve security by combating illicit narcotics trafficking, investing in prevention programs, increasing intelligence sharing, improving regional security coordination, improving border and customs capabilities, professionalizing police, justice, and other government officials, and funding programs to reintegrate deportees from the United States.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) The countries of Central America are committed to combating illicit narcotics trafficking and its related violence and crime, including gang violence, and the United States must seize the opportunity to work in partnership with Central America.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Subtitle A--Law Enforcement and Security AssistanceCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 211. PURPOSES OF ASSISTANCE.

The purposes of assistance authorized by this subtitle are to--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) enhance the ability of governments of countries of Central America to control illicit narcotics production, trafficking, illicit drug trafficking organizations, and organized crime;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) help build the capacity of law enforcement agencies of the countries of Central America to control illicit narcotics production, trafficking, illicit drug trafficking organizations, and organized crime;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) strengthen the bilateral ties of the United States with the countries of Central America by offering concrete assistance in this area of great mutual concern;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) strengthen respect for internationally recognized human rights and the rule of law in efforts to stabilize the security environment relating to illicit narcotics production and trafficking and organized crime; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) support the judicial branch of governments of the countries of Central America, as well as to support anti-corruption efforts in such countries.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 212. AUTHORIZATION OF ASSISTANCE.

To carry out the purposes of section 211, the President is authorized to provide assistance for the countries of Central America to support the activities described in section 213.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 213. ACTIVITIES SUPPORTED.

Activities that may be supported by assistance under section 212 include the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) COUNTERNARCOTICS, COUNTERTRAFFICKING, AND RELATED SECURITY-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) ASSISTANCE OBJECTIVES- To assist in the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) Investigation and collection of intelligence against illicit narcotics trafficking.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) Combating illegal trafficking in arms.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) Prevention of bulk currency smuggling.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iv) Collection of information on crime and establishment of a regional database.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) ASSISTANCE- Activities under subparagraph (A) may include--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) automated fingerprint identification systems (AFIS);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) vetting sensitive investigative units to collaborate on counternarcotics at the federal, state, and local levels;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) technical assistance to develop strong and effective financial crimes investigation units;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iv) maritime security support, including refurbishing and procuring patrol boats;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(v) firearms interdiction training; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(vi) illicit narcotics demand reduction programs.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) PUBLIC SECURITY AND LAW ENFORCEMENT- To assist in building the capacity of the police in countries of Central America, supporting efforts to combat transnational gangs, investing in gang prevention and rehabilitation programs, and programs for the reintegration of deportees, including assistance such as--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) funding to continue the United States-Central American Integration System (SICA) Dialogue;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) youth gang prevention activities, including targeted education for at-risk youth, vocational training and funding of community centers in areas with high youth gang violence rates and other risk factors;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) programs to reintegrate deportees from the United States back into the societies of their home countries to avoid further criminal activity;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) transnational anti-gang initiatives;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) police professionalization, including--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) training regarding use of force;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) human rights education and training;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) training regarding evidence preservation and chain of custody; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iv) enhanced capacity to vet candidates;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(F) utilization of the International Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) in El Salvador consistent with traditional respect for human rights and professional police practices;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(G) police training programs of the Organization of American States (OAS );CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(H) police equipment, including communications equipment; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) anti-domestic violence education programs and women’s shelters.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 214. LIMITATION ON ASSISTANCE.

(a) Limitation- No assistance may be provided under this subtitle to any unit of the armed forces of a country of Central America or any unit of the law enforcement agencies of a country of Central America if the Secretary of State determines that, consistent with section 620J of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2378d), there is credible evidence that such unit has committed gross violations of human rights.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Exception- The limitation in subsection (a) shall not apply if the Secretary of State determines and reports to the appropriate congressional committees that the government of the relevant country of Central America is taking effective measures to bring the responsible members of the unit of the armed forces or law enforcement agencies, as the case may be, to justice.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 215. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

(a) In General- To carry out this subtitle, there are authorized to be appropriated to the President $60,000,000 for fiscal year 2008, $80,000,000 for fiscal year 2009, and $80,000,000 for fiscal year 2010.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Availability- Amounts appropriated pursuant to the authorization of appropriations under subsection (a) are--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) authorized to remain available until expended; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) in addition to funds otherwise available for such purposes, including funds under chapters 2 and 8 of part I of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2166 and 2291 et seq.).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Limitation- Of the amounts appropriated pursuant to the authorization of appropriations under subsection (a) for any fiscal year, at least $15,000,000 should be made available to carry out section 213(2)(B).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Subtitle B--Assistance to Enhance the Rule of Law and Strengthen Civilian InstitutionsCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 221. AUTHORIZATION OF ASSISTANCE.

The President is authorized to provide assistance for the countries of Central America to support the activities described in section 222.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 222. ACTIVITIES SUPPORTED.

Activities that may be supported by assistance under section 221 include assistance in building the capacity, transparency, and trust in the justice system of the countries of Central America and reducing high impunity rates in the countries of Central America, including assistance such as--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) improved police academies and entry level training on crime investigations;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) courts management and prosecutor capacity building;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) witness and victim protection programs, including in Guatemala in coordination with the United Nations International Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) programs to enhance transparency in the procedures to designate and remove personnel in the recipient country’s judicial system;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) prosecutor and judge protection programs, including in Guatemala and in coordination with the CICIG;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) short-term assignment of United States Government personnel to the CICIG to provide technical assistance for criminal investigations, specifically but not limited to investigations involving money laundering so long as this assignment does not negatively impact United States domestic operations;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(7) regional juvenile justice reform;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(8) prison management;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(9) programs to rehabilitate gang members released from prison, including job training; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(10) community policing, including human rights and use of force training for community policing projects.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 223. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

(a) In General- To carry out this title, there are authorized to be appropriated to the President $40,000,000 for fiscal year 2008, $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2009, and $95,000,000 for fiscal year 2010.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Availability- Amounts appropriated pursuant to the authorization of appropriations under subsection (a) are--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) authorized to remain available until expended; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) in addition to funds otherwise available for such purposes, including funds available under chapters 2 and 8 of part I of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2166 and 2291 et seq.).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE III--ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONSCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 301. CONDITIONS ON PROVISION OF ASSISTANCE.

(a) In General- The President may not provide assistance under title I or II to a foreign country for a fiscal year until the end of a 15-day period beginning on the date on which the President transmits to the appropriate congressional committees a determination that the requirements described in subsection (b) have been met with respect to the government of such foreign country for such fiscal year.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Required Determination- The requirements referred to in subsection (a) are the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) The provision of assistance will not adversely affect the human rights situation in the foreign country.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) Vetting procedures are in place to ensure that members and units of the armed forces and law enforcement agencies of the foreign country that may receive assistance under title I or II have not been involved in human rights violations.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) The civilian authority in the foreign country is investigating and prosecuting any member of any government agency or entity receiving assistance under title I or II who has been credibly alleged to have committed human rights violations on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) Equipment and material provided as support is being used only by officials and employees of the government of the foreign country who have been approved by such government to perform counternarcotics activities, including on the basis of the background investigations by such government.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) The government of the foreign country has cooperated with the Secretary of State to ensure that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) the equipment and material provided as support will be used only by the officials and employees referred to in paragraph (4);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) none of the equipment or material will be transferred (by sale, gift, or otherwise) to any person or entity not authorized by the United States to receive the equipment or material; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) the equipment and material will, to the extent possible, be used for the purposes intended by the United States Government and will be utilized by those agencies for which such assistance is intended.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) The government of the foreign country has implemented, in consultation with the Secretary of State, a system that will provide an accounting and inventory of the equipment and material provided as support.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(7) The government of the foreign country will, along with United States personnel, conduct periodic observation and review of the use of the equipment and material provided as support under terms and conditions similar to the terms and conditions imposed with respect to such observation and review under section 505(a)(3) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2314(a)(3)).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(8) To the extent the foreign country has received equipment in the past, it has utilized the equipment properly and in a manner that warrants additional provision of equipment or assistance.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 302. LIMITATIONS ON PROVISION OF ASSISTANCE.

(a) Sense of Congress- It is the sense of Congress that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) activities undertaken under titles I and II of this Act should be performed wherever possible by official employees, personnel, or officers of the federal, state, or local government of the recipient foreign country; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) the United States should limit, to the maximum extent possible, the number of United States civilians and foreign nationals retained as contractors in a recipient country.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Limitations- Except as provided in subsection (c)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) none of the funds made available to carry out title I may be available for the employment of any United States individual civilian retained as a contractor in Mexico or any foreign national retained as a contractor if that employment would cause the total number of individual civilian contractors employed in Mexico in support of the Merida Initiative who are funded by United States funds to exceed 50;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) none of the funds made available to carry out title II may be available for the employment of any United States individual civilian retained as a contractor in a country of Central America or any foreign national retained as a contractor if that employment would cause the total number of individual civilian contractors employed in all countries of Central America in support of the Merida Initiative who are funded by United States funds to exceed 100; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) none of the funds made available under this Act shall be made available for budget support or cash payments.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Exception- The limitations contained in subsection (b) shall not apply if the President determines that it is in the national interest of the United States that such limitations shall not apply and transmits to the appropriate congressional committees a notification thereof.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 303. LIMITATION ON MONITORING.

Beginning on October 1, 2009, no surveillance-related equipment may be transferred under this Act to any entity of Mexico or a country of Central America unless the President determines that the recipient country has cooperated with the United States to ensure that such equipment will be used principally for the purposes for which it is provided.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 304. EXEMPTION FROM PROHIBITION ON ASSISTANCE FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT FORCES.

Notwithstanding section 660 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2420; relating to the prohibition on assistance to foreign law enforcement forces), the President may provide assistance under title I or II if, at least 15 days before providing the assistance, the President notifies the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate, in accordance with the procedures applicable to reprogramming notifications pursuant to section 634A of the Foreign Assistance Act (22 U.S.C. 2394-1), that (1) it is in the national interest to provide such assistance, and (2) the recipient country is making significant progress to eliminating any human rights violations.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 305. RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER AUTHORITY.

(a) Assistance Under Title I- The authority to provide assistance under title I is in addition to any other authority to provide assistance for Mexico.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Assistance Under Title II- The authority to provide assistance under title I is in addition to any other authority to provide assistance for the countries of Central America.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 306. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.

Nothing in title I or II shall be construed to alter, modify, or otherwise affect the provisions of the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2751 et seq.) unless otherwise specified in this Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE IV--SUPPORT ACTIVITIES IN THE UNITED STATESCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 401. REPORT ON REDUCTION OF DRUG DEMAND IN THE UNITED STATES.

(a) Sense of Congress- It is the sense of Congress that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) supply-side drug reduction strategies when executed alone are not an effective way to fight the phenomenon of illegal narcotics;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) the Government of Mexico has identified reduction of United States drug demand as among the most important contributions the United States can make to a joint strategy to combat illicit narcotics trafficking; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) the United States pledged in the United States-Mexico October 2007 Joint Statement on the Merida Initiative, to ‘intensify its efforts to address all aspects of drug trafficking (including demand related portions)’ here in the United States.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Report- Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the President shall transmit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on the measures taken to intensify United States efforts to address United States demand-related aspects of the drug-trafficking phenomenon in accordance with the Joint Statement on the Merida Initiative announced by the United States and Mexico on October 22, 2007.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 402. REDUCTION OF SOUTHBOUND FLOW OF ILLEGAL WEAPONS.

(a) Sense of Congress- It is the sense of Congress that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) much of the increased violence in Mexico is perpetrated using firearms and ammunition smuggled illegally from the United States into Mexico;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) has told Congress of an ‘iron river of guns’ with thousands of weapons per week illegally crossing into Mexico from the United States;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) more than 90 percent of the guns confiscated yearly in Mexico originate in the United States and approximately 40 percent of the total trafficked weapons are linked to drug trafficking organizations;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) along the 2,000 mile border from Brownsville, Texas, to San Diego, California, there are 6,700 licensed gun sellers, but only 100 Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) special agents to investigate allegations of weapons trafficking and only 35 inspectors to ensure compliance with United States laws;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) on January 16, 2008, ATF announced that it will add 25 special agents and 15 inspectors to their Project Gunrunner along the Southwest Border. And, the ATF budget request for fiscal year 2009 includes funding for another 12 inspectors; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) an effective strategy to combat these illegal arms flows is a critical part of a United States contribution to a jointly executed anti-narcotics strategy with Mexico.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Project Gunrunner Initiative-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- The Attorney General shall, to the extent amounts are made available to carry out this subsection pursuant to paragraph (4), use such amounts for the Project Gunrunner initiative (hereafter in this subsection referred to as the ‘initiative’) of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives to expand the resources provided to identify, investigate, and prosecute individuals involved in the trafficking of firearms across the United States-Mexico border.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) ACTIVITIES- In carrying out paragraph (1), the Attorney General shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) assign additional agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives to the area of the United States adjacent to the United States-Mexico border to support the expansion of the initiative;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) establish not fewer than 1 initiative team in each State along the United States-Mexico border; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) coordinate with the heads of other relevant federal law enforcement agencies and State and local law enforcement agencies to address firearms trafficking in a comprehensive manner.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) ADDITIONAL STAFF- The Attorney General may hire additional persons to be Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives agents for, and may use such other resources as may be necessary to adequately support, the initiative.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS- To carry out this subsection, there are authorized to be appropriated to the Attorney General $15,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2008 through 2010.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Enhanced International Cooperation-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- In carrying out this subsection, the Attorney General, in cooperation with the Secretary of State, is authorized and encouraged, as appropriate, to--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) assign agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives to the United States mission in Mexico, specifically in areas adjacent to the United States-Mexico border, to work with Mexican law enforcement agencies in conducting investigations relating to firearms trafficking and other criminal enterprises;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) provide the equipment and technological resources necessary to support investigations and to trace firearms recovered in Mexico; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) support the training of vetted Mexican law enforcement officers in serial number restoration techniques and canine explosive detection.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS- To carry out this subsection, there are authorized to be appropriated to the Attorney General $9,500,000 for each of the fiscal years 2008 through 2010.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 403. REDUCTION OF SOUTHBOUND FLOW OF ILLEGAL PRECURSOR CHEMICALS AND BULK-CASH TRANSFERS.

It is the sense of Congress that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) a significant quantity of precursor chemicals used in the production of illegal narcotics flows south from the United States to Mexico;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) the Government of Mexico has identified reduction of southbound flows from the United States of precursor chemicals and bulk-cash transfers as a critical component of its anti-narcotics strategy; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) an effective strategy to combat these illegal flows is a critical part of a United States contribution to a jointly executed anti-narcotics strategy with Mexico.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 404. REPORT.

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the President shall transmit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on the measures taken to combat the southbound flow of illegal precursor chemicals and bulk cash transfers into Mexico.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE V--MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONSCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 501. COORDINATOR OF UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT ACTIVITIES TO IMPLEMENT THE MERIDA INITIATIVE.

(a) Declaration of Policy- Congress declares that the Merida Initiative is a Department of State-led initiative which combines programs of numerous United States Government departments and agencies and therefore requires a single individual to coordinate and track all Merida-related efforts government-wide to help avoid duplication and facilitate accountability to Congress.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Designation of High-Level Coordinator-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- The President shall designate, within the Department of State, a Coordinator of United States Government Activities to Implement the Merida Initiative (hereafter in this section referred to as the ‘Coordinator’) who shall be responsible for--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) designing an overall strategy to advance the purposes of this Act;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) ensuring program and policy coordination among agencies of the United States Government in carrying out the policies in Mexico and Central America set forth in this Act;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) ensuring that efforts of the United States Government under this Act in Mexico and Central America are in full consonance with the efforts of the Government of Mexico and the governments of Central America in implementing the Merida Initiative;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) tracking all United States Government assistance which fulfills the goals of the Merida Initiative or is closely related to the goals of the Merida Initiative, including information required under section 620J of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2378d) with respect to Mexico and the countries of Central America;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) coordinating among agencies of the United States Government on all United States assistance to Mexico and the countries of Central America, including assistance from other relevant government agencies, which fulfills the goals of the Merida Initiative to avoid duplication or conflict among programs; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(F) consulting with the Attorney General with respect to the activities of Federal, State, and local law enforcement authorities in the United States related to the goals of the Merida Initiative, particularly along the United States-Mexico border.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) RANK AND STATUS OF THE COORDINATOR- The Coordinator shall have the rank and status of ambassador.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 502. METRICS AND OVERSIGHT MECHANISMS.

(a) Sense of Congress- It is the sense of Congress that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) to successfully support building the capacity of recipient countries’ civilian security institutions, enhance the rule of law in recipient countries, and ensure the protection of human rights, the President should establish metrics and oversight mechanisms to track the effectiveness of activities undertaken pursuant to this Act;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) long-term solutions to Mexico and Central America’s security problems depend on strengthening and holding accountable civilian institutions;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) it is difficult to assess the impact of United States assistance towards these goals absent specific oversight and monitoring mechanisms; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) the President, in developing metrics, should consult with Congress as well as the Government of Mexico and the Central American Integration System (SICA).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Requirement- The President shall develop metrics to identify, track, and manage the progress of activities authorized pursuant to this Act and use these metrics to determine the allocation of resources for such activities.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Initial Report-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the President shall transmit to the appropriate congressional committees a report that specifies metrics of achievement for each activity to be undertaken under this Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) CONTENTS OF REPORT- The report shall be divided into two sections, the first addressing those activities undertaken pursuant to subtitle A of title I and subtitle A of title II, and the second addressing those activities undertaken pursuant to subtitle B of title I and subtitle B of title II. Metrics may include the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) Indicators on long-term effectiveness of the equipment and training provided to Mexican and Central American security institutions.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) Statistics of counter narcotics-related arrests.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) Number of interdictions of drug shipments.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) Specific progress on police reform.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) Counternarcotics-related arrests.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(F) Quantification of reduction of supply of illicit narcotics into the United States.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(G) Cross-utilization, if any, of equipment among the armed forces and law enforcement entities.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(H) Increased school attendance rates.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) Attendance in primary prevention programsCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(J) The level of cooperation among United States, Mexican, and Central American law enforcement agencies.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 503. REPORT.

(a) In General- The President shall transmit to the appropriate congressional committees a report concerning the programs and activities carried out under this Act during the preceding fiscal year. The first report shall be transmitted not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act and subsequent reports shall be transmitted not later than October 31 of each year thereafter.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Matters to Be Included- The report required under subsection (a) shall include the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) METRICS- A general description of the progress in stabilizing the security situation in each recipient country as well as combating trafficking and building its capacity based on the metrics developed under section 502.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) COORDINATION- Efforts of the United States Government to coordinate its activities pursuant to section 501, including--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) a description of all counternarcotics and organized crime assistance provided to recipient countries in the previous fiscal year;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) an assessment of how such assistance was coordinated; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) recommendations for improving coordination.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) TRANSFER OF EQUIPMENT- A description of the transfer of equipment, including--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) a description of the progress of each recipient country toward the transfer of equipment, if any, from its armed forces to law enforcement agencies;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) a list of organizations that have used the air assets provided to the government of each recipient country, and, to the extent possible, a detailed description of those agencies that have utilized the air assets, including a breakdown of the percentage of use by each agency; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) a description of training of law enforcement agencies to operate equipment, including air assets.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) HUMAN RIGHTS- Consistent with sections 116(d) and 502B(b) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151n(d) and 2304(b)) and section 504 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2464), an assessment of the human rights impact of the equipment and training provided under this Act, including--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) a list of accusations of serious human rights abuses committed by the armed forces and law enforcement agencies of recipient countries from the date of enactment of this Act; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) a description of efforts by the government of recipient countries to investigate and prosecute allegations of abuses of human rights committed by any agency of the recipient countries.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) EFFECTIVENESS OF EQUIPMENT- An assessment on the long-term effectiveness of the equipment and maintenance packages and training provided to each recipient country’s security institutions.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) MEXICO PUBLIC SECURITY STRATEGY- A description of Mexico’s development of a public security strategy, including--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) an update on the effectiveness of the Mexican federal Registry of Police Personnel to vet police recruiting at the National, state, and municipal levels to prevent rehiring from one force to the next after dismissal for corruption and other reasons; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) an assessment of how the Merida Initiative complements and supports the Mexican Government’s own public security strategy.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(7) FLOW OF ILLEGAL ARMS- A description of efforts to reduce the southbound flow of illegal arms.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(8) USE OF CONTRACTORS- A detailed description of contracts awarded to private companies to carry out provisions of this Act, including--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) a description of the number of United States and foreign national civilian contractors awarded contracts;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) a list of the total dollar value of the contracts; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) the purposes of the contracts.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(9) CENTRAL AMERICAN REGIONAL SECURITY PLAN- A description of implementation by the countries of Central America of the Central American Regional Security Plan, including an assessment of how the Merida Initiative complements and supports the Central American Regional Security Plan.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(10) PHASE OUT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES- A description of the progress of phasing out law enforcement activities of the armed forces of each recipient country.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(11) DISPLACEMENT AND DIVERSION OF DRUG TRAFFICKING PATTERNS- A description of any displacement effect and diversion of drug trafficking patterns from Mexico and the countries of Central America to other routes, including through potentially vulnerable Caribbean countries.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(12) IMPACT ON BORDER VIOLENCE AND SECURITY- A description of the impact that activities authorized under this Act have had on violence against United States and Mexican border personnel and the extent to which these activities have increased the protection and security of the United States-Mexico border.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 504. SENSE OF CONGRESS.

It is the sense of Congress that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) the United States Government requires an effective public diplomacy strategy to explain the purposes of the Merida Initiative; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) to the extent practicable, the Secretary of State, in coordination with other relevant heads of agencies, shall design and implement a public diplomacy campaign regionally regarding the Merida Initiative.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 505. SUNSET.

The authority of this Act shall expire after September 30, 2010.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Passed the House of Representatives June 10, 2008.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Attest:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Clerk.

110th CONGRESS2d SessionH. R. 6028AN ACTTo 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 LORRAINE C. MILLER, CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Clerk.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink