Western Hemisphere Counterterrorism and Nonproliferation Act of 2008

Bill: 110-hr-7068
Sponsor: Rep. Ros-Lehtinen, Ileana [R-FL-18]
Introduced: 2008-09-25 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Armed Forces and National Security
Arms control
Arms sales
Arrest
Biological warfare
Caribbean area
Chemical warfare
Congress
Congress and foreign policy
Congressional oversight
Congressional reporting requirements
Crime and Law Enforcement
Cuba
Drug abuse
Drug law enforcement
Drug traffic
Economic assistance
El Salvador
Export controls
Federal advisory bodies
Foreign Trade and International Finance
Government Operations and Politics
Government paperwork
Informers
International agencies
International cooperation
Islamic fundamentalism
Latin America
Money laundering
Negotiations
Nuclear fuels
Nuclear nonproliferation
Nuclear weapons
Organization of American States (OAS)
Police training
President and foreign policy
Regionalism (International organization)
Religion
Sanctions (International law)
Science, Technology, Communications
State-sponsored terrorism
Technical assistance
Technology transfer
Terrorism
Treaties
Venezuela
Weapons of mass destruction
Western Hemisphere

Summary:
action_date: 2008-09-25
text: 
Western Hemisphere Counterterrorism and Nonproliferation Act of 2008 - States that, in order to enhance the security of the Western Hemisphere and bolster regional capacity to counter terrorism, it shall be U.S. policy to promote the signing, ratification, and implementation by all countries in the Western Hemisphere of specified counter terrorism conventions.
 
Amends specified acts with respect to annual country reports on terrorism, as well reports on narcotics trafficking, money laundering, and law enforcement.
 
 Authorizes the President to impose specified sanctions on any country in the Western Hemisphere that the President has determined is engaged in state sponsored terrorism, is carrying out policies that threaten U.S. national security interests, or is not fully cooperating with U.S. counterterrorism or nonproliferation efforts.
 
Expresses the sense of Congress that the International Law Enforcement Academy in San Salvador, El Salvador, should continue to serve as a critical component of United States regional counterterrorism efforts.
 
Redirects 50% of the U.S. contribution to the Organization of American States (OAS) to the OAS Inter-American Committee Against Terrorism, the OAS Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission, and the Western Hemisphere Regional Coordination Centers. Directs the Secretary of State to negotiate the establishment of: (1) Western Hemisphere Regional Coordination Centers; and (2) the Western Hemisphere Nonproliferation Partnership Initiative.
 
States U.S. policy with respect to the prevention of the proliferation of weapons-related nuclear, chemical, and biological materials, technology, and facilities, as well as policy with respect to nuclear fuel fabrication and provides specified directives and sanctions.
 
Places restrictions on nuclear cooperation with countries assisting the nuclear program of Venezuela or Cuba.
 
Expresses the sense of Congress that the Latin America Regional Strategic Initiative should serve as a critical component of U.S. regional counterterrorism and nonproliferation efforts.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-09-25
text: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
action_date: 2008-09-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-09-25
text: Introduced in House