United States-Caribbean Strategic Engagement Act of 2016

Bill: 114-hr-4939
Sponsor: Rep. Engel, Eliot L. [D-NY-16]
Introduced: 2016-04-14 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Alternative and renewable resources
Antigua and Barbuda
Barbados
Caribbean area
Congressional oversight
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Drug trafficking and controlled substances
Employment and training programs
Energy storage, supplies, demand
Foreign aid and international relief
Free trade and trade barriers
Government studies and investigations
Human rights
Law enforcement administration and funding
Rule of law and government transparency
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
U.S. and foreign investments

Summary:
action_date: 2016-04-14
text: 

United States-Caribbean Strategic Engagement Act of 2016

 
This bill directs the Department of State to submit to Congress a multi-year strategy for U.S. engagement with the Caribbean region that:
 
 
identifies State Department and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) efforts to prioritize U.S. policy towards the Caribbean region; 
 
broadens State Department and USAID outreach to the Caribbean diaspora community in the United States to promote their involvement in Caribbean economic development and citizen security; 
 
outlines an approach to partner with Caribbean governments to improve citizen security, reduce illicit drug trafficking, strengthen the rule of law, and improve the effectiveness of the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI); 
 
encourages efforts of the region to implement regional and national strategies that improve Caribbean energy security; 
 
 improves diplomatic engagement with Caribbean governments; and 
 
assists Caribbean countries in diversifying their economies, reducing free trade and investment barriers, and supporting the training and employment of persons in marginalized communities.
 
 
The Government Accountability Office shall submit reports to Congress regarding: (1) the CBSI; and (2) diplomatic outreach from the U.S. embassy in Barbados to Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia and St. Vincent, and the Grenadines.

action_date: 2016-06-13
text: 

United States-Caribbean Strategic Engagement Act of 2016

 
(Sec. 2) This bill declares that it is U.S. policy to increase engagement with the governments of the Caribbean region, the Caribbean diaspora community in the United States, and the private sector and civil society in both the United States and the Caribbean. 
 
(Sec. 3) The Department of State shall submit to Congress a multi-year strategy for U.S. engagement with the Caribbean region that:
 
 
identifies State Department and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) efforts to prioritize U.S. policy towards the Caribbean region; 
 
broadens State Department and USAID outreach to the Caribbean diaspora community in the United States to promote their involvement in Caribbean economic development and citizen security; 
 
outlines an approach to partner with Caribbean governments to improve citizen security, reduce illicit drug trafficking, strengthen the rule of law, and improve the effectiveness of the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI); 
 
encourages efforts of the region to implement regional and national strategies that improve Caribbean energy security; 
 
 improves diplomatic engagement with Caribbean governments; and 
 
assists Caribbean countries in diversifying their economies, reducing free trade and investment barriers, and supporting the training and employment of persons in marginalized communities.
 
 
(Sec. 4) The State Department shall annually brief the appropriate congressional committees on efforts to implement such strategy. 
 
 (Sec. 5) The President shall report within one year and biennially thereafter for four years on progress made in implementing such strategy. 
 
(Sec. 6) The Government Accountability Office shall report to Congress regarding: (1) the CBSI; and (2) diplomatic outreach from the U.S. embassy in Barbados to Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia and St. Vincent, and the Grenadines.
 
(Sec. 8) The Foreign Service Act of 1980 is amended to eliminate from the State Department's Foreign Service workplace report descriptions of steps taken in furtherance of compatibility and the development of uniform procedures and consolidated personnel functions.

action_date: 2016-12-10
text: 

United States-Caribbean Strategic Engagement Act of 2016

 
(Sec. 2) This bill declares that it is U.S. policy to increase engagement with the governments of the Caribbean region, including the private sector, and with civil society in both the United States and the Caribbean. 
 
(Sec. 3) The Department of State shall submit to Congress a multi-year strategy for U.S. engagement to support the efforts of interested nations in the Caribbean region that:
 
 
identifies State Department and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) priorities for U.S. policy towards the Caribbean region; 
 
outlines an approach to partner with Caribbean governments to improve citizen security, reduce illicit drug trafficking, strengthen the rule of law, and improve the effectiveness and longevity of the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI); 
 
encourages efforts of the region to implement regional and national strategies that improve Caribbean energy security by increasing access to all available sources of energy, including by taking advantage of the indigenous energy sources of the Caribbean and the ongoing energy revolution in the United States; 
 
 improves diplomatic engagement with Caribbean governments; 
 
describes how the United States can develop an approach to supporting Caribbean countries in efforts they are willing to undertake with their own resources to diversify their economies; and
 
describes ways to ensure the active participation of citizens of the Caribbean in existing program and initiatives administered by the State Department's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
 
 
(Sec. 4) The State Department shall offer to annually brief the appropriate congressional committees on efforts to implement such strategy. 
 
 (Sec. 5) The President shall report within two years on progress made in implementing such strategy. 
 
(Sec. 6) The Foreign Service Act of 1980 is amended to eliminate from the State Department's Foreign Service workplace report descriptions of steps taken in furtherance of compatibility and the development of uniform procedures and consolidated personnel functions.

action_date: 2016-12-16
text: 
(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate. The summary of that version is repeated here.)
 

United States-Caribbean Strategic Engagement Act of 2016

 
(Sec. 2) This bill declares that it is U.S. policy to increase engagement with the governments of the Caribbean region, including the private sector, and with civil society in both the United States and the Caribbean. 
 
(Sec. 3) The Department of State shall submit to Congress a multi-year strategy for U.S. engagement to support the efforts of interested nations in the Caribbean region that:
 
 
identifies State Department and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) priorities for U.S. policy towards the Caribbean region; 
 
outlines an approach to partner with Caribbean governments to improve citizen security, reduce illicit drug trafficking, strengthen the rule of law, and improve the effectiveness and longevity of the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI); 
 
encourages efforts of the region to implement regional and national strategies that improve Caribbean energy security by increasing access to all available sources of energy, including by taking advantage of the indigenous energy sources of the Caribbean and the ongoing energy revolution in the United States; 
 
 improves diplomatic engagement with Caribbean governments; 
 
describes how the United States can develop an approach to supporting Caribbean countries in efforts they are willing to undertake with their own resources to diversify their economies; and
 
describes ways to ensure the active participation of citizens of the Caribbean in existing program and initiatives administered by the State Department's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
 
 
(Sec. 4) The State Department shall offer to annually brief the appropriate congressional committees on efforts to implement such strategy. 
 
 (Sec. 5) The President shall report within two years on progress made in implementing such strategy. 
 
(Sec. 6) The Foreign Service Act of 1980 is amended to eliminate from the State Department's Foreign Service workplace report descriptions of steps taken in furtherance of compatibility and the development of uniform procedures and consolidated personnel functions.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-12-16
text: Became Public Law No: 114-291.
action_date: 2016-12-16
text: Became Public Law No: 114-291.
action_date: 2016-12-16
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2016-12-16
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2016-12-15
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2016-12-15
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2016-12-13
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2016-12-13
text: On motion that the House agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to without objection. (consideration: CR H7584-7585; text as House agreed to Senate amendment: CR H7584-7585)
action_date: 2016-12-13
text: Resolving differences -- House actions: On motion that the House agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to without objection.(consideration: CR H7584-7585; text as House agreed to Senate amendment: CR H7584-7585)
action_date: 2016-12-13
text: Mr. Smith (NJ) asked unanimous consent to take from the Speaker's table and agree to the Senate amendment.
action_date: 2016-12-12
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2016-12-10
text: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2016-12-10
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2016-12-10
text: The committee substitute as amended agreed to by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2016-12-10
text: Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S7127-7128; text of measure as reported in Senate: CR S7127-7128)
action_date: 2016-12-07
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 713.
action_date: 2016-12-07
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Corker with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2016-12-07
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Corker with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2016-12-06
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2016-06-14
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2016-06-13
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2016-06-13
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 386 - 6 (Roll no. 297). (text: CR H3724-3725)
action_date: 2016-06-13
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): 386 - 6 (Roll no. 297).(text: CR H3724-3725)
action_date: 2016-06-13
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3730-3731)
action_date: 2016-06-13
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: 2016-06-13
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4939.
action_date: 2016-06-13
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3724-3727)
action_date: 2016-06-13
text: Mr. Royce moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2016-04-20
text: Ordered to be Reported by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2016-04-20
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2016-04-14
text: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
action_date: 2016-04-14
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2016-04-14
text: Introduced in House

Enacted as: number: 114-291