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105TH CONGRESS REPORT " ! HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 1st Session 105–20

PROVIDING FOR THE CONSIDERATION OF HOUSE JOINT

RESOLUTION 58, DISAPPROVAL OF DETERMINATION OF

PRESIDENT REGARDING MEXICO

MARCH 12, 1997.—Referred to the House Calendar and ordered to be printed

Mr. GOSS, from the Committee on Rules, submitted the following

REPORT

[To accompany H. Res. 95]

The Committee on Rules, having had under consideration House

Resolution 95, by a nonrecord vote, report the same to the House

with the recommendation that the resolution be adopted.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS OF RESOLUTION

The resolution provides for the consideration of House Joint Resolution 58, ‘‘Disapproval of Determination of President Regarding

Mexico’’ in the House under a modified closed rule. The rule provides two hours of debate on the resolution divided equally between

the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on

International Relations. The rule waives all points of order against

the committee amendment in the nature of a substitute.

The rule also provides for consideration of the amendment printed in this report for the time specified, to be divided equally between the proponent and an opponent. The rule also waives all

points of order against this amendment. Finally, the rule provides

for one motion to recommit with or without instructions.

COMMITTEE VOTES

Pursuant to clause 2(l)(2)(B) of House rule XI the results of each

rollcall vote on an amendment or motion to report, together with

the names of those voting for and against, are printed below:

RULES COMMITTEE ROLLCALL NO. 2

Date: March 12, 1997.

Measure: H.J. Res. 58, Disapproval of Determination of President

Regarding Mexico.
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Motion By: Mr. Frost.

Summary of Motion: Makes in order amendment by Representative Schiff to let certification stand and further express sense of

Congress regarding concerns over Mexico.

Results: Defeated, 3 to 9.

Vote by Members: Dreier—Nay; Goss—Nay; Linder—Nay;

Pryce—Nay; Diaz-Balart—Nay; McInnis—Nay; Hastings—Nay;

Myrick—Nay; Moakley—Yea; Frost—Yea; Slaughter—Yea; Solomon—Nay.

An amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute

recommended by the Committee on International Relations now

printed in House Joint Resolution 58, to be offered by Representative Hastert of Illinois or a designee, and to be debatable for 20

minutes.

Page 2, after line 7, insert the following:

SECTION 1. CONGRESSIONAL FINDINGS; DECLARATION OF POLICY.

(a) GENERAL FINDINGS.—The Congress finds the following:

(1) International drug traffickers, aided by individuals in the

United States and across the Western Hemisphere who sell

and distribute deadly drugs, pose the largest threat to Americans since the end of the Cold War.

(2) The United States is faced with a supply of drugs that

is cheaper, more potent, and more available than at any time

in our history.

(3) The drug cartels are becoming wealthier, bolder, and closer to the United States, and their corruption of officials is beginning to reach inside the United States.

(4)(A) No single action is a sufficient response to the threat

posed to our society by illegal drugs.

(B) The goal of the United States is to save our children by

eliminating the illegal drug trade.

(C) The United States Government must set forth a comprehensive strategy that dedicates the resources necessary to

decisively win the war on drugs.

(b) THREAT DRUGS POSE TO OUR CHILDREN.—The Congress further finds the following:

(1)(A) Casual teenage drug use trends have suffered a

marked reversal over the past 5 years. Casual teenage drug

use has dramatically increased for virtually every childhood

age group and for virtually every illicit drug, including heroin,

crack, cocaine hydrochloride, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD),

non-LSD hallucinogens, methamphetamine, inhalants, stimulants, and marijuana (often laced with phencyclidine (PCP) and

cocaine).

(B) Specifically, illicit drug use among 8th and 10th graders

has doubled in the last 5 years. 8 percent of 6th graders, 23

percent of 7th graders, and 33 percent of 8th graders have

tried marijuana. Since 1993, the number of 8th graders using

marijuana has increased 146 percent and overall teen drug use

is up 50 percent.

(2) Rising casual teenage drug use is closely correlated with

rising juvenile violent crime, as reported by the Department of

Justice.
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(3) If rising teenage drug use and the close correlation with

violent juvenile crime continue to rise on their current path,

the United States will experience a doubling of violent crime

by 2010, according to the Department of Justice’s Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.

(4) The nature of casual teenage drug use is changing, such

that annual or infrequent teenage experimentation with illegal

drugs is being replaced by regular, monthly, or addictive teenage drug use.

(5) Nationwide, drug-related emergencies are at an all-time

high, having risen for 5 straight years by increments of between 10 and 30 percentage points per year for each drug

measured.

(6) The nationwide street price for most illicit drugs is lower

than at any time in recent years, and the potency of those

same drugs, particularly heroin, crack and marijuana, is higher.

(c) THE FAILED ANTIDRUG POLICY.—The Congress further finds

the following:

(1) United States Government strategy has dramatically

shifted precious antidrug resources away from United States

priorities set in the 1980’s—away from the prior emphasis on

drug prevention for children, drug interdiction, and international source country programs.

(2) United States Government strategy has been weak in responding to statutory deadlines, has been characterized by an

absence of statutorily mandated measurable goals, lack of effective coordination and program accountability, and often

untargeted and insufficient funding, from the smallest agencies

involved in the drug war up to and including the White House

Drug Policy Office.

(3) It has been reported that United States Government policy reduced the national security priority placed on international drug trafficking from the top tier (number 3) to the

bottom tier (number 29).

(4) United States Government policy has emphasized additional funding for unproven drug treatment techniques at the

expense of accountable drug prevention programs that effectively teach a right-wrong distinction.

(5) The United States Government has failed to assess the

outcomes of $3,000,000,000 spent per year in drug rehabilitation and has failed to shift resources from ineffective programs

to programs that save lives.

(6) United States Government policy has not offered sufficient flexibility to local and State law enforcement agencies to

combat drug abuse through measures such as additional block

grant funding.

(7) United States Government strategy has not properly emphasized the important, increased role that can legitimately be

played by the National Guard, the United States military, and

United States intelligence agencies in confronting the rising

drug trafficking threat.
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(8) United States Government strategy underemphasizes

community and parental actions and the need to engage children at an early age in prevention activities.

(9) For the past four years, United States Government strategy has failed to use the media to communicate a consistent,

intense antidrug message to young people.

(d) DECLARATION OF POLICY.—The Congress declares that—

(1) a thorough review of the United States counternarcotics

strategy is urgently needed; and

(2) the establishment of a commission on international narcotics control in accordance with section 6 will assist in such

review.

Page 2, line 8, strike ‘‘section 1’’ and insert ‘‘sec. 2’’.

Page 2, line 10, strike ‘‘Pursuant to’’ and insert ‘‘(a) IN GEN- ERAL.—Pursuant to’’.

Page 2, line 11, insert before ‘‘Congress’’ the following: ‘‘effective

90 days after the date of the enactment of this joint resolution’’.

Page 2, after line 16, insert the following:

(b) EXCEPTION.—Subsection (a) shall not take effect if, within 90

days after the date of the enactment of this joint resolution, the

President determines and reports in writing to the Congress that

the President has obtained reliable assurances of substantial

progress toward—

(1) obtaining authorization from the Government of Mexico

to allow additional agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration, or other United States law enforcement agents (as of

February 28, 1997), for critical narcotics control operations in

Mexico, including authorization of appropriate privileges and

immunities for such agents;

(2) obtaining authorization from the Government of Mexico

to allow United States law enforcement agents in Mexico to

carry firearms for self-defense in areas where required to cooperate with the Government of Mexico on narcotics control efforts;

(3) obtaining assurances of substantial progress by, and commitments from, the Government of Mexico that the Government will take concrete measures to find and eliminate law enforcement corruption in Mexico and will cooperate fully with

United States law enforcement personnel on narcotics control

matters;

(4) obtaining assurances of substantial progress by, and commitments from, the Government of Mexico that the Government will extradite Mexican nationals wanted by the United

States Government for drug trafficking and other drug-related

offenses;

(5) obtaining assurances from the Government of Mexico

that the Government is making substantial progress in securing aircraft overflight and refueling rights that are necessary

for full cooperation with the United States on narcotics control

efforts, including adequate aircraft radar coverage to monitor

and detect all aircraft entering and transiting through Mexico

that are suspected of involvement in drug trafficking; and

(6) obtaining assurances from the Government of Mexico

that the Government is making substantial progress toward a
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permanent maritime agreement with the United States to

allow vessels of the United States Coast Guard and other appropriate vessels to halt and hold drug traffickers pursued into

Mexican waters.

Page 2, line 17, strike ‘‘sec. 2’’ and insert ‘‘sec. 3’’.

Page 3, line 12, strike ‘‘sec. 3’’ and insert ‘‘sec. 4’’.

Page 3, line 17, strike ‘‘sec. 4’’ and insert ‘‘sec. 5’’.

Page 4, after line 12, add the following:

SEC. 6. HIGH LEVEL COMMISSION ON INTERNATIONAL NARCOTICS

CONTROL.

(a) FINDINGS.—The Congress finds the following:

(1) The consumption of narcotics in the United States is a serious problem that is ravaging the United States, especially

America’s youth.

(2) Despite the dedicated and persistent efforts of the United

States and other nations, international narcotics trafficking

and consumption remains a serious problem.

(3) The total eradication of international narcotics trafficking

requires a long-term strategy that necessitates close international cooperation.

(4) The annual certification process relating to international

narcotics control under section 490 of the Foreign Assistance

Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2291j) is flawed because—

(A) the process addresses only whether or not the source

country is cooperating with United States narcotics control

efforts and does not take into account all underlying factors;

(B) the process reviews narcotics control efforts only on

an annual basis; and

(C) the process fails to account for the divergent economic, political, and social circumstances of countries

under review which can influence the decision by the United States to decertify a foreign nation, thereby leading to

unpredictability, non-transparency, and lack of international credibility in the process.

(5) The problem of international narcotics trafficking is not

being effectively addressed by the annual certification process

under section 490 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22

U.S.C. 2291j).

(b) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established a commission to be

known as the High Level Commission on International Narcotics

Control (hereinafter referred to as the ‘‘Commission’’).

(c) DUTIES.—The Commission shall conduct a review of the annual certification process relating to international narcotics control

under section 490 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C.

2291j) to determine the effectiveness of such process in curtailing

international drug trafficking, the impact of such process on financial markets, and the effectiveness of such process in reducing drug

use and consumption within the United States.

(d) MEMBERSHIP.—

(1) NUMBER AND APPOINTMENT.—The Commission shall consist of 14 members, as follows:

(A) The Secretary of State or the Secretary’s designee.
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(B) The Secretary of the Treasury or the Secretary’s designee.

(C) The Attorney General or the Attorney General’s designee.

(D) The Director of the Office of National Drug Control

Policy or the Director’s designee.

(E) The Governors of the States of Arizona, California,

New Mexico, and Texas, or their designees.

(F) The following Members of Congress appointed not

later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this

joint resolution as follows:

(i)(I) 2 Members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

(II) 1 member of the House of Representatives appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives.

(ii)(I) 2 Members of the Senate appointed by the majority leader of the Senate.

(II) 1 member of the Senate appointed by the minority leader of the Senate.

(2) TERMS.—Each member of the Commission shall be appointed for the life of the Commission.

(3) VACANCIES.—A vacancy in the Commission shall be filled

in the manner in which the original appointment was made.

(4) CHAIRPERSON.—The Chairperson of the Commission shall

be elected by the members.

(5) BASIC PAY.—Each member shall serve without pay. Each

member shall receive travel expenses, including per diem in

lieu of subsistence, in accordance with sections 5702 and 5703

of title 5, United States Code.

(6) QUORUM.—A majority of the members shall constitute a

quorum for the transaction of business.

(7) MEETINGS.—The Commission shall meet at the call of the

chairperson.

(e) DIRECTOR AND STAFF; EXPERTS AND CONSULTANTS.—

(1) DIRECTOR.—The Commission shall have a director who

shall be appointed by the chairperson subject to rules prescribed by the Commission.

(2) STAFF.—Subject to rules prescribed by the Commission,

the chairperson may appoint and fix the pay of such additional

personnel as the chairperson considers appropriate.

(3) APPLICABILITY OF CERTAIN CIVIL SERVICE LAWS.—The director and staff of the Commission may be appointed without

regard to title 5, United States Code, governing appointments

in the competitive service, and may be paid without regard to

the requirements of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter

53 of such title relating to classification and General Schedule

pay rates, except that an individual so appointed may not receive pay in excess of the maximum annual rate of basic pay

payable for GS-15 of the General Schedule.

(4) EXPERTS AND CONSULTANTS.—The chairperson may procure temporary and intermittent services under section 3109(b)

of title 5, United States Code, at rates for individuals not to
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exceed the daily equivalent of the maximum annual rate of

basic pay payable for GS-15 of the General Schedule.

(5) STAFF OF FEDERAL AGENCIES.—Upon request of the chairperson, the head of any Federal agency may detail, on a reimbursable basis, any of the personnel of the agency to the Commission to assist the Commission in carrying out its duties.

(f) POWERS.—

(1) OBTAINING OFFICIAL DATA.—The chairperson may secure

directly from any Federal agency information necessary to enable the Commission to carry out its duties. Upon request of

the chairperson, the head of the agency shall furnish such information to the Commission to the extent such information is

not prohibited from disclosure by law.

(2) MAILS.—The Commission may use the United States

mails in the same manner and under the same conditions as

other Federal agencies.

(3) ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES.—Upon the request of

the chairperson, the Administrator of General Services shall

provide to the Commission, on a reimbursable basis, the administrative support services necessary for the Commission to

carry out its duties.

(4) CONTRACT AUTHORITY.—The chairperson may contract

with and compensate government and private agencies or persons for the purpose of conducting research, surveys, and other

services necessary to enable the Commission to carry out its

duties.

(g) REPORTS.—

(1) INTERIM REPORT.—Not later than 6 months after the date

of the enactment of this joint resolution, the Commission shall

prepare and submit to the President and the Congress an interim report on the following:

(A) The overall effectiveness of the annual certification

process relating to international narcotics control under

section 490 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C

2291j) in curtailing international drug trafficking.

(B) The impact of such annual certification process on

currency markets, international financial markets, and

merchandise trade flows.

(C) The transparency and predictability of such annual

certification process in curtailing international drug trafficking.

(D) Recommendations for actions that are necessary—

(i) to eliminate international narcotics trafficking;

(ii) to improve cooperation among countries in efforts to curtail international narcotics trafficking, including necessary steps to identify all areas in which

inter-American cooperation can be initiated and institutionalized; and

(iii) to improve the transparency and predictability

of the annual certification process relating to international narcotics control under section 490 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2291j).

(E) Any additional measures to win the war on drugs.
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(2) FINAL REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date of

the enactment of this joint resolution, the Commission shall

prepare and submit to the President and the Congress a final

report that, at a minimum, contains the following:

(A) Information that meets the requirements of the information described in the initial report under paragraph

(1) and that has been updated since the date of the submission of the interim report, as appropriate.

(B) Any other related information that the Commission

considers to be appropriate.

(h) TERMINATION.—The Commission shall terminate 6 months

after the date on which the Commission submits its final report

under subsection (g)(2).

(i) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.— (1) IN GENERAL.—There are authorized to be appropriated

such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section.

(2) AVAILABILITY.—Amounts authorized to be appropriated

under paragraph (1) are authorized to remain available until

expended.

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