Merida Initiative to Combat Illicit Narcotics and Reduce Organized Crime Authorization Act of 2008

Bill: 110-hr-6028
Sponsor: Rep. Berman, Howard L. [D-CA-28]
Introduced: 2008-05-13 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Armed Forces and National Security
Arms sales
Boundaries
Cameras
Central America
Chemicals
Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Compensation for victims of crime
Computers
Congress
Congressional reporting requirements
Correctional personnel
Corrections
Crime and Law Enforcement
Criminal investigation
Data banks
Department of State
Detention of persons
Dropouts
Drug abuse
Drug abuse prevention
Drug law enforcement
Due process of law
Economic assistance
Economic development
Economics and Public Finance
Education
Elementary and secondary education
Employee training
Equipment and supplies
Executive reorganization
Export controls
Families
Family violence
Fingerprints
Firearms
Firearms control
Foreign Trade and International Finance
Gangs
Government Operations and Politics
Government ethics
Guatemala
Helicopters
Housing and Community Development
Human rights
Information networks
International cooperation
Job creation
Judges
Labor and Employment
Latin America
Law
Mexico
Military assistance
Money laundering
Organized crime
Patrol aircraft
Patrol ships
Police training
Polygraphs
Prosecution
Public prosecutors
Radar
Rule of law
Rural economic development
Science, Technology, Communications
Smuggling
Technical assistance
Transportation and Public Works
Victims of crimes
Witnesses
Women
Women's shelters
Youth services

Summary:
action_date: 2008-05-13
text: 
Merida Initiative to Combat Illicit Narcotics and Reduce Organized Crime Authorization Act of 2008 - Authorizes the President to provide assistance to Mexico and to the countries of Central America for: (1) law enforcement and security assistance, including combating gangs and illegal drug and arms trafficking; and (2) the enhancement of the rule of law and the strengthening of civilian institutions, including the promotion of human rights. Sets forth additional supported activities and limitations on assistance.
 
Directs the President to report to the appropriate congressional committees respecting measures taken to: (1) address U.S. demand-related aspects of the drug-trafficking phenomenon; (2) combat the southbound flow of illegal precursor chemicals and bulk cash transfers into Mexico; and (3) implement and measure the success of activities taken under this Act.
 
Directs the Attorney General to expand the resources provided for the Project Gunrunner initiative of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives to prosecute individuals involved in firearms trafficking across the U.S.-Mexico border.
 
Directs the President to designate within the Department of State a Coordinator of United States Government Activities to Implement the Merida Initiative.
 
Terminates the authority of this Act after September 30, 2010.

action_date: 2008-05-22
text: 
Merida Initiative to Combat Illicit Narcotics and Reduce Organized Crime Authorization Act of 2008 - 
Title I: Assistance for Mexico - Subtitle A: Law Enforcement and Security Assistance
 - (Sec. 112) Authorizes the President to provide assistance for Mexico for: (1) counternarcotics and countertrafficking; (2) port, airport, and related security to assist in controlling the Mexico-U.S. and Mexico-Central America borders; (3) intelligence gathering operational technology; and (4) public security and law enforcement, including assistance to the National Council Against Addiction (CONADIC).
 
(Sec. 114) Prohibits providing assistance to any armed forces of Mexico or law enforcement unit of Mexico if the Secretary of State determines that there is credible evidence that such unit has committed gross human rights violations. Makes such prohibition inapplicable if the Secretary reports to the appropriate congressional committees that the government of Mexico is taking effective measures to bring the responsible unit members to justice.
 
(Sec. 115) Authorizes FY2008-FY2010 appropriations to carry out this subtitle, with not more that specified amounts allocated to the armed forces for each of FY2008-2010.
 
Prohibits FY2009 funds from being provided to the Mexican Secretariat of Public Security until the President determines that the Mexican National Registry of Police Personnel (Registro Nacional de Personal Policial) is operational at the federal, state, and local levels.
 

Subtitle B: Assistance to Enhance the Rule of Law and Strengthen Civilian Institutions 
- (Sec. 122) Authorizes the President to provide assistance to Mexico for: (1) institution building and the rule of law, including support for the Mexican Office of the Attorney General and for enhancing police professionalization; (2) anti-corruption, transparency, and human rights; (3) activities to prevent narcotics-related violence; and (4) employment and rural development programs.
 
(Sec. 124) Authorizes FY2008-FY2010 appropriations to carry out this subtitle.
 

Title II: Assistance for Countries of Central America 
- 
Subtitle A: Law Enforcement and Security Assistance - 
(Sec. 212) Authorizes the President to provide assistance to the countries of Central America (Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic) for: (1) counternarcotics, countertrafficking, and related security to combat narcotics trafficking and bulk currency smuggling; and (2) public security and law enforcement to combat transnational gangs.
 
(Sec. 214) Prohibits providing assistance to any armed forces or law enforcement unit of a Central American country if the Secretary determines that there is credible evidence that such unit has committed gross human rights violations. Makes such prohibition inapplicable if the Secretary reports to the appropriate congressional committees that the government of the relevant Central American country is taking effective measures to bring the responsible unit members to justice.
 
Authorizes FY2008-FY2010 appropriations to carry out this subtitle, including a set-aside for youth gang prevention activities.
 

Subtitle B: Assistance to Enhance the Rule of Law and Strengthen Civilian Institutions 
- (Sec. 221) Authorizes the President to provide assistance to the countries of Central America to build the capacity of justice systems and to reduce high impunity rates.
 
Authorizes FY2008-FY2010 appropriations.
 

Title III: Administrative Provisions 
- (Sec. 301) Prohibits the President from providing assistance under title I or title II of this Act for a fiscal year until the end of a 15-day period beginning on the date that the President transmits to the appropriate congressional committees a determination that specified requirements have been met.
 
(Sec. 302) Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) activities undertaken under titles I and II should be performed by employees and officers of the recipient country; and (2) the United States should limit the number of U.S. contractors.
 
Caps: (1) at 50 the number of U.S. citizens or foreign nationals that may be retained as contractors to carry out title I (Mexico); and (2) at 100 the number of U.S. citizens or foreign nationals that may be retained as contractors to carry out Title II (Central America). Prohibits funds under this Act from being made available for budget support or cash payments. Provides for a national interest waiver.
 
(Sec. 303) Prohibits, as of October 1, 2009, transfer of surveillance-related equipment to a recipient country unless the President determines that such country has cooperated with the United States to ensure that such equipment will be used principally for the purposes for which it is provided.
 
(Sec. 304) Authorizes the President, notwithstanding a specified prohibition, to provide assistance under title I or title II to the police forces of recipient countries. 
 
(Sec. 305) States that authority to provide assistance under titles I and II is in addition to any other authority to provide assistance for Mexico and the countries of Central America.
 
(Sec. 306) States that the Arms Export Control Act applies to all transfers of equipment under this Act unless otherwise specified.
 

Title IV: Support Activities in the United States - 
(Sec. 401) Directs the President to report to the appropriate congressional committees concerning measures taken to reduce U.S. drug demand. 
 
(Sec. 402) Directs the Attorney General to: (1) expand resources for the Project Gunrunner initiative of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) to identify, investigate, and prosecute firearms trafficking across the U.S.- Mexico border; and (2) provide ATF agents, equipment, and training to assist Mexican law enforcement officers in combating firearms trafficking and other criminal enterprises. Authorizes FY2008-FY2010 appropriations.
 
(Sec. 404) Directs the President to report to the appropriate congressional committees regarding measures taken to stop the flow of illegal precursor chemicals and bulk cash into Mexico. 
 

Title V: Miscellaneous Provisions
 - (Sec. 501) Directs the President to establish within the Department of State a Coordinator of United States Government Activities to Implement the Merida Initiative (with the rank of ambassador). 
 
(Sec. 502) Directs the President to: (1) develop metrics to identify and manage the progress of activities under this Act; and (2) use such metrics for resource allocations to combat narcotics and organized crime activities.
 
(Sec. 503) Directs the President to report to the appropriate congressional committees regarding programs and activities carried out under this Act during the preceding fiscal year. 
 
(Sec. 504) Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the U.S. government requires an effective public diplomacy strategy to explain the Merida Initiative's purposes; and (2) the Secretary shall design and implement a public diplomacy campaign regarding the Merida Initiative.
 
(Sec. 505) Sunsets this Act after September 30, 2010.

action_date: 2008-06-10
text: 
Merida Initiative to Combat Illicit Narcotics and Reduce Organized Crime Authorization Act of 2008 - 
Title I: Assistance for Mexico - Subtitle A: Law Enforcement and Security Assistance
 - (Sec. 112) Authorizes the President to provide assistance for Mexico for: (1) counternarcotics and countertrafficking; (2) port, airport, and related security to assist in controlling the Mexico-U.S. and Mexico-Central America borders; (3) intelligence gathering operational technology; and (4) public security and law enforcement, including assistance to the National Council Against Addiction (CONADIC).
 
(Sec. 114) Prohibits assistance to any armed forces of Mexico or law enforcement unit of Mexico if the Secretary of State determines that there is credible evidence that such unit has committed gross human rights violations. Makes such prohibition inapplicable if the Secretary reports to the appropriate congressional committees that the government of Mexico is taking effective measures to bring the responsible unit members to justice.
 
(Sec. 115) Authorizes FY2008-FY2010 appropriations to carry out this subtitle, with not more that specified amounts allocated to the armed forces for each of FY2008-2010.
 
Prohibits FY2009 funds from being provided to the Mexican Secretariat of Public Security until the President determines that the Mexican National Registry of Police Personnel (Registro Nacional de Personal Policial) is operational at the federal, state, and local levels.
 

Subtitle B: Assistance to Enhance the Rule of Law and Strengthen Civilian Institutions 
- (Sec. 122) Authorizes the President to provide assistance to Mexico for: (1) institution building and the rule of law, including support for the Mexican Office of the Attorney General and for enhancing police professionalization; (2) anti-corruption, transparency, and human rights; (3) activities to prevent narcotics-related violence; and (4) employment and rural development programs.
 
(Sec. 124) Authorizes FY2008-FY2010 appropriations to carry out this subtitle.
 

Title II: Assistance for Countries of Central America 
- 
Subtitle A: Law Enforcement and Security Assistance - 
(Sec. 212) Authorizes the President to provide assistance to the countries of Central America (Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic) for: (1) counternarcotics, countertrafficking, and related security to combat narcotics trafficking and bulk currency smuggling; and (2) public security and law enforcement to combat transnational gangs.
 
(Sec. 214) Prohibits providing assistance to any armed forces or law enforcement unit of a Central American country if the Secretary determines that there is credible evidence that such unit has committed gross human rights violations. Makes such prohibition inapplicable if the Secretary reports to the appropriate congressional committees that the government of the relevant Central American country is taking effective measures to bring the responsible unit members to justice.
 
Authorizes FY2008-FY2010 appropriations to carry out this subtitle, including a set-aside for youth gang prevention activities.
 

Subtitle B: Assistance to Enhance the Rule of Law and Strengthen Civilian Institutions 
- (Sec. 221) Authorizes the President to provide assistance to the countries of Central America to build the capacity of justice systems and to reduce high impunity rates.
 
Authorizes FY2008-FY2010 appropriations.
 

Title III: Administrative Provisions 
- (Sec. 301) Prohibits the President from providing assistance under title I or title II of this Act for a fiscal year until the end of a 15-day period beginning on the date that the President transmits to the appropriate congressional committees a determination that specified requirements have been met.
 
(Sec. 302) Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) activities undertaken under titles I and II should be performed by employees and officers of the recipient country; and (2) the United States should limit the number of U.S. contractors.
 
Caps: (1) at 50 the number of U.S. citizens or foreign nationals that may be retained as contractors to carry out title I (Mexico); and (2) at 100 the number of U.S. citizens or foreign nationals that may be retained as contractors to carry out Title II (Central America). Prohibits funds under this Act from being made available for budget support or cash payments. Provides for a national interest waiver.
 
(Sec. 303) Prohibits, as of October 1, 2009, transfer of surveillance-related equipment to a recipient country unless the President determines that such country has cooperated with the United States to ensure that such equipment will be used principally for the purposes for which it is provided.
 
(Sec. 304) Authorizes the President, notwithstanding a specified prohibition, to provide assistance under title I or title II to the police forces of recipient countries. 
 
(Sec. 305) States that authority to provide assistance under titles I and II is in addition to any other authority to provide assistance for Mexico and the countries of Central America.
 
(Sec. 306) States that the Arms Export Control Act applies to all transfers of equipment under this Act unless otherwise specified.
 

Title IV: Support Activities in the United States - 
(Sec. 401) Directs the President to report to the appropriate congressional committees concerning measures taken to reduce U.S. drug demand. 
 
(Sec. 402) Directs the Attorney General to: (1) expand resources for the Project Gunrunner initiative of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) to identify, investigate, and prosecute firearms trafficking across the U.S.- Mexico border; and (2) provide ATF agents, equipment, and training to assist Mexican law enforcement officers in combating firearms trafficking and other criminal enterprises. Authorizes FY2008-FY2010 appropriations.
 
(Sec. 404) Directs the President to report to the appropriate congressional committees regarding measures taken to stop the flow of illegal precursor chemicals and bulk cash into Mexico. 
 

Title V: Miscellaneous Provisions
 - (Sec. 501) Directs the President to establish within the Department of State a Coordinator of United States Government Activities to Implement the Merida Initiative (with the rank of ambassador). 
 
(Sec. 502) Directs the President to: (1) develop metrics to identify and manage the progress of activities under this Act; and (2) use such metrics for resource allocations to combat narcotics and organized crime activities.
 
(Sec. 503) Directs the President to report to the appropriate congressional committees regarding programs and activities carried out under this Act during the preceding fiscal year. 
 
(Sec. 504) Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the U.S. government requires an effective public diplomacy strategy to explain the Merida Initiative's purposes; and (2) the Secretary shall design and implement a public diplomacy campaign regarding the Merida Initiative.
 
(Sec. 505) Sunsets this Act after September 30, 2010.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-06-11
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2008-06-10
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2008-06-10
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 311 - 106 (Roll no. 393). (text: CR H5126-5132)
action_date: 2008-06-10
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 311 - 106 (Roll no. 393).(text: CR H5126-5132)
action_date: 2008-06-10
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H5142-5143)
action_date: 2008-06-10
text: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
action_date: 2008-06-10
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6028.
action_date: 2008-06-10
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5126-5139)
action_date: 2008-06-10
text: Mr. Berman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2008-06-06
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 445.
action_date: 2008-06-06
text: Committee on Judiciary discharged.
action_date: 2008-06-06
text: Committee on Judiciary discharged.
action_date: 2008-05-22
text: House Committee on Judiciary Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than June 6, 2008.
action_date: 2008-05-22
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Foreign Affairs. H. Rept. 110-673, Part I.
action_date: 2008-05-22
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Foreign Affairs. H. Rept. 110-673, Part I.
action_date: 2008-05-14
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2008-05-14
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2008-05-13
text: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2008-05-13
text: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2008-05-13
text: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2008-05-13
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-05-13
text: Introduced in House